Sexual Health

There are many services you can turn to for free advice, sexual health check ups and contraception for men and women.

You can find the answers to many questions on sexual health and relationships from Connexions.

If you are considering having sex, or have worries about any aspect of sex and relationships try the R U Thinking About It? website for young people. For a guide to contraception check out Playing Safely.

Other sources of help

Brook Centres
Brook provides a free and confidential sexual health service for young people. The service provides emergency contraception and condoms, pregnancy testing, referral for abortions, screening for some sexually transmitted diseases and other advice on sexual health.
Freephone helpline: 08000 185023

Check out the Brook website for advice and information or visit one of their centres.

Brook in Southwark
24-26 Westmoreland Road
London
SE17 2AY

Brook Brixton
374 Brixton Road
London
SW9 7AW

Sexually transmitted infections (STI)

An STI can be unpleasant and sometimes harmful. It will not go away without treatment so don’t ignore it. Some of common signs of STI are:

• Pain when you pee
• Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
• Rush or irritation around the vagina or penis

It is very important to go for treatment because if an STI is not treated it can damage your health and make you unable to have children.

A range of leaflets about sexually transmitted infections are available from Southwark health and social care website.

You can get help and advise about STIs from your doctor, a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, Brook and family planning clinics. All treatment is free and confidential. This means they won’t tell any one you have been. You don’t need to give them your real name and address.

Find your nearest sexual health clinic.

Sexual health clinics at local hospitals

The U20 Clinic is for 20 year olds and under, open every Thursday, 4pm to 6pm at the Caldicot Centre. This is a free and confidential walk-in service providing tests for sexually transmitted infections, contraception and counselling. They would like to see you whether you have started having sex or are just thinking about it!

Caldecot Centre
GUM Clinic, Tel: 020 3299 3453
HIV Clinic, Tel: 020 3299 3448
Kings College Hospital
15 – 22 Caldecot Road
Camberwell
London
SE5 9RS

If you can't get to the 'U20' clinic you can attend the main clinic. Check opening times.

Lydia Clinic
Tel: 020 7188 6666
St Thomas’s Hospital
Lambeth Palace Road
London
SE1 7EH
Check opening times

Young person’s sexual health clinic (Bridge Clinic)
at The Lloyd Clinic
Tel: 020 7188 6666
2nd Floor
Thomas Guy House
Guys' Hospital
St Thomas' Street
London
SE1 9RT
Check opening times

There are other STI services across London. For further information contact NHS Direct Tel:0845 46 47.

HIV

If you have specific concerns about HIV or AIDS you can contact:

National Aids Helpline
Tel: 0800 567 123 (24hrs)
This service is also available in other languages.

Also try Avert's webpages for teenagers.

Contact

Southwark Health and Social Care
Patient advice and liaison service
Tel: 0800 58 77 170 
Woodmill Building
Neckinger
London
SE16 3QN