Posted on: 11 July 2023
Summer has begun and many of you will be jetting off on holiday, attending festivals and enjoying a summer of fun …and maybe love…
Whatever your plans we hope you have a great time. But first take a moment to think about checking your sexual health status and packing some protection so you feel safer in your sex life.
It’s never been easier to get tested regularly by ordering a testing kit online discreetly delivered to your front door or attending a sexual health clinic.
Do you know your status?
More than half of sexually active adults get an STI (sexually transmitted infection) at some point in their lifetime. In the UK a young person is diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhoea every 4 minutes.
During the summer there are often more group events where there is a risk of contracting and spreading STIs as people tend to let go and engage in more risky behaviours. STIs often have no early symptoms so without a test you may not know you have it. CNWL offer STI testing kits that check for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and HIV.
If you’re newly single and ready to mingle, looking for love or in a long-term relationship, CNWL’s Sexual Health Services have you covered with regular testing.
Dr Amy Bennett from Surrey Sexual Health says
“Even with 100-percent consistent condom use, STIs can still spread. Most people don’t use protection during oral sex and often people rely on the honesty of their partner rather than testing regularly. If you don’t know your status then getting a test can stop the chain of infection.
The UK is seeing record numbers of syphilis and gonorrhoea infections, and we are definitely noticing this in our clinics in Surrey. These are infections that can spread easily from oral sex too.
By testing, you know your sexual health status and can protect your partners from an STI. You want to be able to tell new partners, confidently, that your last test is recent.
How often you test depends on how active you are and we'd recommend around every four to six weeks if you are sexually active with multiple partners or every three to six months if you have fewer partners. But if you do develop any symptoms we’d advise you attend a clinic as soon as possible.”
Planning your contraception is also important, especially with holidays and spontaneous summer travel. We offer all types, but a long-acting method like an implant will cover you for the summer and beyond. Or for established pill users you can organise repeat pill prescriptions through our website."
You should also get checked if:
- You’ve had unprotected sex with a new partner
- Your partner has a sexually transmitted infection
- You or your partner have had sex with someone else without using a condom
- You or your partner have any symptoms
- You’re planning to get pregnant
CNWL’s Sexual Health Services in London and Surrey are free, non-judgmental and inclusive to everyone.
If you live in Surrey
CNWL Surrey Sexual Health has a dedicated page to order home testing kits There are two types of kits available, one for people aged 16 and over (which tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV and Syphilis) and a Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test for under 25s.
You can also order repeat prescriptions for contraception here (opens order form)
If you would like to start PrEP (HIV prevention medication), please call us on 01483 675389. Please press option 2 for sexual health services.
If you need to see someone face to face then you can book an appointment online here or call the booking office on 01483 675389, Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 12pm or 1.30pm to 4pm.
Young People’s Clinic from 3pm to 6pm on Tuesdays
CNWL Surrey Sexual Health also now has a dedicated sexual health young person's clinic for 13 for 17 year olds every Tuesday from 3pm to 6pm at Buryfields, 61 Lawn Road, Guildford, GU2 4AX. No appointment needed - just turn up!
The clinic offers:
- Sexual health testing and treatment
- Condoms and PrEP (a pill to prevent HIV)
- Contraception and sexual health advice
- Contraceptive pills, patches, injections and implants
- Pregnancy testing
- Advice and care for all who identify as LGBT+
For other CNWL Young People’s sexual health services in Surrey see the Young People’s section on this page
In Surrey those aged under 25 can also access free condoms through our condom distribution scheme. See the Healthy Surrey website for details.
If you live in London
You can order a home testing kit online from Sexual Health London – visit the Sexual health London website to order a kit.
If you would like to start PrEP (a HIV prevention medication) please visit this page to find out more
If you need to see a clinician because you have symptoms or are a contact of a sexually transmitted infection, please visit www.sexualhealth.cnwl.nhs.uk for more information on booking an appointment in one of our sexual health clinics in London and Surrey.
Getting a sexual health check is easy and shouldn’t be embarrassing or shameful; sex is a normal part of our adult life, and STIs can be a part of it, so we encourage everybody to test regularly and be in control of their sexual health. It’s a quick, simple process that not only puts your mind at rest but could protect you from more serious complications like infertility. Protect your sex life – and protect your partner.