Sexual Health & Healthy Relationships

Whether it’s your first time, or your hundred-and-first, sex should be something that you enjoy and can have safely.

If you are thinking about having sex, then it is important that you are ready, can enjoy it, and can take responsibility for it.

Where can I find advice?

Healthy lives for young people

Brook operates a number of sexual health and wellbeing services across the UK and they are committed to supporting young people. 

They offer advice on many different areas related to sexual health and below you can some example pages:

Where can I get free contraception?

Contraception refers to the methods that are used to prevent pregnancy. Some methods of contraception (condoms and internal condoms) can also be used to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

If you’ve had sex without contraception, or think your method might’ve failed, you can use emergency contraception. You can use emergency contraception up to 5 days after unprotected sex but try and get it as soon as possible. 

Emergency contraception can be used after unprotected sex (especially not using a condom) and may be able to limit the effect of any STIs on long-term health and also reduce the chance of a pregnancy occurring following the encounter.

Contraception is FREE on the NHS for all ages so you won’t have to pay anything. You can get it from a range of places including young people’s services, GP surgeries, or sexual health clinics and family planning services.

Here are direct links to sexual services websites across the region

York and North Yorkshire

Hull and the East Riding

North and North East Lincolnshire

Are you pregnant?

Everyone has different reactions to finding out they’re pregnant. Some people will be delighted; others will feel shocked or worried.

It is important that you receive support when you need it and don't feel pressured by anyone into making a decision that you don't want. The decision is yours.

Brook have some useful resources on pregnancy and your choices.

You can also look at the local sexual health services websites:

York and North Yorkshire

Hull and the East Riding

North and North East Lincolnshire

Our local maternity website has some resources on what to do if you're unsure about your pregnancy. It's also got lots of information on what you can expect locally if you decide to continue with the pregnancy.

Page last updated on: 15th April 2024