Sexual Health

 

Safer sex is a way of reducing the chance of getting or passing on a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

There are a number of different STIs including:

    • Chlamydia
    • Gonorrhoea
    • HIV
    • Syphilis
    • Herpes
    • Hepatitis A, B, and C
    • Warts (human papilloma virus/HPV)

The risks of getting one of these STIs will be different depending on who you have sex with and the type of sex you have.

Read more on sexually transmitted infections

Types of safer sex

There are a number of ways you can have safer sex and reduce your risks of STIs:

          • Using condoms for penetrative sex
          • Having non-penetrative sex (such as mutual masturbation)
          • Reducing the number of different sexual partners you have
          • Getting tested for STIs with new sexual partners and agreeing to only have sex with each other
          • Getting vaccinations for STIs like Hepatitis B or the human papilloma virus HPV.
          • Taking Prep to protect you from HIV (particularly if you are at high risk of HIV).

Talk to your GP or your local sexual health clinic for more information.

Contraception

Contraception can prevent pregnancy when used correctly. Some people with thalassaemia can develop fertility problems due to iron overload but you should not assume that will always be the case. If you are not trying to have a baby, please consider your options.

There are many different types of contraception available. Some types of contraception may be more suitable for you than others,  so getting advice about your options is important.

You can discuss contraception with your GP or practice nurse, local family planning clinic or haematology team if you feel this right for you.

Read more about contraception