What is Sexual Health?

The state of physical, emotional, mental and social well being related to sexuality; it is not just avoiding sexually transmitted infections (STI's). Sexual health requires a positive, respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion (being forced into something against your will) discrimination and violence'

What does all that mean?

If you feel good about yourself and believe you are valued, you are more likely to look after yourself and not take risks.

How do we make it happen?

Encouraging healthy lifestyles, creating a sense of belonging and providing a supportive environment.

What is sexuality?

Our sexuality includes our bodies, our biological sex, our gender (social, and legal status as girls and boys, women and men), our gender identities (how we feel about our gender), our sexual orientation (straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual)

Where can I go if I think I might be lesbian gay, bisexual or transgendered?

X2Y is a group supporting young people. Visit their site at www.x2y.org.uk. Gender matters also supports transgendered people nationally from their Wolverhampton base.

What are Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs)?

STI's can be passed from one person to another during sexual contact if one person is infected. Most of the time STI's have no symptoms. This means you might not know you have an STI and you could pass it on to other people.

Some people do get symptoms. These include; redness, swelling, a discharge from the penis or vagina, blisters/ulcers/sores/warts/bumps, pains when urinating, itching or tingling and flu like symptoms. The best thing to do is if something doesn't feel right or you have had unprotected sex then you ought to get it checked out (see local links for advice).