Sexual health for under 25s

Young people and relationships 

Sex is a healthy, enjoyable part of a healthy, loving relationship as long as you protect yourself physically and emotionally.

Are you ready?

Before deciding to do anything sexual, look at the list below for things to think about and see if you are ready. You should not feel pressured or coerced into sex and should feel confident saying no to your partner. You should know your own mind and know when it is right.

Check out the Only When I am Ready Quiz. If you find yourself answering ‘yes’ to most of these questions, then you’re probably ready, but remember even when you do feel ready, it still doesn’t mean you have to.

Brook.org.uk provides useful information for young people about STIs and healthy relationship now matter what Borough you live or go to college in.

Sex, alcohol and drugs

People of all genders and sexual orientations take drugs or alcohol before sex for various reasons from reducing anxiety to prolonging sexual activities.

However, alcohol and drugs can have negative effects on your sexual choices:

• They lower your inhibitions, making you more likely to take risks with your behaviour, having sex when you otherwise wouldn’t and not thinking about condoms, lube or contraception.
• Being drunk or high means you’re more likely to damage condoms due to clumsiness or lack of arousal increasing friction and dryness.
• You are more likely to do things you wouldn’t do sober, putting your health and relationships at risk.
• Rape and sexual abuse are never the victim’s fault, but you are more likely to be vulnerable to abuse or coercion and feel unable to refuse unwanted approaches.
• Long-term heavy use of alcohol and drugs can lead to infertility and other health problems, as well as negatively affecting your relationships with friends, family and loved ones.

For more information, please visit Know the Score or Talk to Frank.

Nude images

Sometimes, we trust people with photographs or nude images we have taken of ourselves. 

Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more common for people to come across these images online, as they have been shared or posted without consent.

If you believe you have been a victim of having nude images distributed online it is important to know it is not your fault.

A tool called Report Remove has been developed to all people to have nudes removed from the internet. Find out more information about Report Remove here.

The internet, relationships and you

If you, or a young person you know, are at risk of being exploited or abused online there are ways to get help.

The CEOP, the National Crime Agency's Education team, is dedicated to tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse. 

Their online resource, Think You Know, aims to educate young people aged 11 to 18 about sex, relationships and the internet. The document covers topics such as online safety, sexual content and sexual abuse.