Arrange to get tested if you:
- haven't got symptoms, but are worried you might have an STI
- have symptoms, such as an unusual discharge
- feel something is wrong
If you're sexually active, either stop having sex or make sure you use a condom until you know for sure whether or not you have an STI.
If you do have an STI, using a condom will help prevent passing it on. Your sexual partners should also get tested.
You can get free, confidential advice and treatment from your GP or specialist clinics in your area, even if you're under 16.
Hospitals often have sexual health clinics (also known as GUM clinics), which test for and treat STIs.
If you need any sexual health advice, please visit one of our M W Phillips stores for more information.
Most STIs can be easily treated, so don't be scared of having a test and finding you do have an STI.
I think I might be pregnant
The first thing to do is find out for certain by taking a pregnancy test. The sooner you do this, the better.
There are lots of places where you can have a free pregnancy test and get confidential advice, even if you're under 16
You can also buy a pregnancy test from any M W Phillips, which you can do yourself at home.
Find out more about doing a pregnancy test.
I've had sex without a condom
If you have had sex without a condom or the condom splits or comes off, there's a risk of both pregnancy and STIs.
The best thing to do is act quickly. The quicker you act, the sooner you can prevent a pregnancy or get tested for an STI.
Pregnancy
You can get pregnant if you have sex without a condom or the condom splits or comes off.
In this case, to avoid pregnancy you can either:
take the emergency contraceptive pill, sometimes called the morning-after pill, up to 72 hours (3 days) or 120 hours (5 days) after having unprotected sex, depending on the type of pill
have an intrauterine device (IUD), sometimes called a coil, fitted up to 120 hours (5 days) after having unprotected sex
Take a pregnancy test if your next period doesn't arrive when you expect it to.
If you're having sex, don't rely on emergency contraception to stop you getting pregnant.
STIs
If you have sex without a condom or the condom splits or comes off, you're also at risk of getting an STI.
If this happens and you're worried you have caught an STI, you can get confidential help and advice from your local M W Phillips chemist, as well as free testing for STIs.
I've forgotten to take my pill
You may not be protected against pregnancy if you have forgotten to take your pill.
This depends on the type you're taking, how many doses you have missed already, and how many pills are left in the packet.
Keep taking the pill and see your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible for advice. Also use condoms for extra protection.
Find out what to do if you miss a combined pill and what to do if you miss a progestogen-only pill.
If you have trouble remembering to take a pill every day, you could consider using another method of contraception, such as the contraceptive implant, contraceptive injection or IUD.
This means you don't have to think about your contraception every day or every time you have sex.
Find out more about the different contraceptive methods by speaking to us at any M W Phillips chemist
