Sexual Health Information

Signs and symptoms
Women

Symptoms of infection may show up at anytime. Often this is between 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. However, symptoms may not emerge until a long way down the line. The majority of women who are infected with chlamydia will have no symptoms at all. Possible symptoms are:

* a slight increase in vaginal discharge - caused by the cervix becoming inflamed
* a need to pass urine more often/pain on passing urine
* lower abdominal pain
* pain during sex
* irregular menstrual bleeding
* a painful swelling and irritation in the eyes (if they are infected).

Men

Symptoms of infection may show up at anytime. Often this is between 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. However, symptoms may not emerge until a long way down the line. Men are more likely to notice symptoms than women. However, they too may have no symptoms. Likely symptoms are:

* a discharge from the penis which may be white/cloudy and watery and stain underwear
* pain and/or a burning sensation when passing urine
* a painful swelling and irritation in the eyes (if they are infected) Chlamydia in the rectum rarely causes symptoms.

How chlamydia is passed on

Chlamydia can be transmitted by:

* having sex with someone who is infected
* a mother to her baby at birth
* occasionally, by transferring the infection on fingers from the genitals to the eyes.

Where to go for help

* Your local NHS sexual health (GUM) clinic.

You can find details of your nearest NHS sexual health clinic in the phone book under genito-urinary medicine (GUM), sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or venereal diseases (VD). Or phone your local hospital and ask for the ’special’ or GUM clinic. Our help and advice page links to websites which can tell you where to find your nearest clinic.

You will get free, confidential advice and treatment. You can go to any clinic anywhere in the country - you don’t have to go to a local one - and you don’t have to be referred by your GP. (Non-NHS sexual health clinics may not always offer the full range of services which are available at NHS sexual health clinics.)
* Your own GP.
* If you are in the UK, go to www.playingsafely.co.uk to find details of STD clinics.

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection. It is sexually transmitted and can infect the cervix , urethra, rectum, anus and throat.

Women

Symptoms can include:

• a change in vaginaln discharge. This may increase, change to a yellow or greenish colour and develop a strong smell.
• a pain or burning sensation when passing urine
• irritation and/or discharge from the anus

Men

Symptoms may include:

• a yellow or whitw discharge from the penis
• irritation and/or discharge from the anus
• inflammation of the testicles and prostate gland

How gonorrhoea is passed on
by penetrative sex (when the penis enters the vagina, mouth or anus)

Where to go for help

• Your local NHS sexual health (GUM) clinic.
  In the UK. You can find details of your nearest NHS sexual health clinic in the phone book under genito-urinary medicine (GUM), sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or venereal diseases (VD). Or phone your local hospital and ask for the ’special’ or GUM clinic.
• Your own GP.
• If you are in the UK, goto http://www.playingsafely.co.uk to find out details of STI clinics.

How reliable is it?

• the failure rate is about 1 in 1000.

How it works

• A permanent method in which the tubes carrying the sperm are cut, so sperm are not present in the semen that is ejaculated when the man ‘comes’.

Advantages

• It is permanent.
• Operation takes 10-15 minutes and can be done at a doctor’s surgery or clinic.

Disadvantages

• It usually takes a few months for all the sperm to disappear from the semen.
• Contraception must be used during this time until there are two negative sperm tests.
• Rarely the tubes rejoin and the man is fertile again.

Comments

• This is a permanent method should not be chosen if in any doubt.
• Counselling is important.
• Likely to be brusing and some discomfort for short time after the operation.
• A few days rest needed afterwards

How reliable is it?

• The failure rate can be 1 to 3 in 1000 depending on the method used.

How it works

• A permanent method in which the fallopian tubes are cut or blocked so theeggs cannot travel down them to meet sperm.

Advantages

• It is permanent.
• Is effectively immediately after the operation.

Disadvantages

• Rarely the tubes rejoin and the woman is fertile again.

Comments

• This is a permanent method and should not be chosen if in any doubt
• Counselling is important.
• Time in hospital varies from one to three days depending on the type of operation.
• A few days rest needed afterwards

How reliable is it?

• With careful use 2 women in 100 will get pregnant in a year.
• with lesss careful use 2 to 20 women in 100 will get pregnant in a year.

How it works

• A woman keeps a daily record of her body temperature, changes in cervical mucus and other signs of ovulation . these tell her when she is most fertile and should avoid sex or use barrier method (for example, condom or diaphragm)

Advantages

• No side effects
• No mechanical devices or hormones are used.
• Knowing when the woman is fertile means pregnancy can be planned.
• Gives a woman a greater awareness of her body.

Disadvantages

• Women with irregular periods, after childbirth and around the menopause may find this method difficult.
• Daily record keeping is needed
• May involve avoiding sex at some times of the month.

Comments

• Methods should be learnt from a specially trained teacher and some charge a fee.
• Some people use a condom or diaphragmduring the fertile time rather than avoid penetrative sex.

How reliable is it?

• With careful use 4 to 8 women in 100 will get pregnant in the first year of use.
• With less careful use 10 to 18 women in 100 will get pregnant in the first year of use.

How it works

• A flexible rubber device used with spermicide, is put into the vaginato cover the cervix and must stay in for atleast 6 hours after sex.
• Must be specially fitted to make sure it is the right size.

Advantages

• Can be put in at any time before sex (if more than 3 hours before, extra spericide is needed).
• May protect agaist cancer of the cervix and some sexually transmitted diseases.
• There are a variety of types to choose from.

Disadvantages

• Putting it in can interrupt sex.
• Extra spermicide is needed if you have sex again.
• Cystutus can be a problem for some diaphragm users. Changing to a slightly smaller or softer rimmed diaphragm or cap can help.

Comments

• Some people are sensitive to spermicide.
• Fitting should be checked every 12 months and if you gain or lose more than 3 kg (7lbs), or have a baby, miscarriage or abortion.
• Do not leave in for more than 30 hours.

How reliable is it?

• There has been no large scale studies to show this but research suggest its should be as effective as the male condom and the diaphragm,

How it works

• A soft polyurethane sheath lines the vagina and the area just outside, and prevents sperm from entering the vagina

Advantages

• Can be put in anytrime before sex
• May protect both partners from sexually transmitted diseases, includig HIV.
• Oil based products can be used with female condoms

Disadvantages

• Putting it in can interrupt sex.
• need to make sure the man enters the condom and not between the condom and vagina.
• May slip.
• Expensive to buy

Comments

• Use a new condom each time and follow instructions careful.
• BSI Kitemark for female condom not yet available.
• Sold widely and is free at some faimly planning clinics.

How reliable is it?

• With careful use 2 women in 100 will get pregnant in a year.
• With less carefull use 2 to 15 women will get pregnant in a year

How it works

• Made of very thin rubber it is put over the erect penis and prevents sperm from entering the woman’s vagina.

Advantages

• Free from family planning clinics and also sold widely.
• may protect both partners from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
• may protect against cancer of the cervix.
• Man can take responsibility for contraception.

Disadvantages

• Putting it on can intrupt sex.
• May slip off or splitt if not used correctly.
• Man needs to withdraw as soon as he has ejaculated and be careful not to spill any semen

comments

• Use a new condom each time
• must be put on before the penis touches the women’s vagina
• use a condom with a BSI kite mark on the pack and check expiry date
• Oil based products, such as body oils, should not be used with male condoms as they damage them

How reliable is it?

• Less than 1 to 2 women in 100 will get pregnant in a year.

How it works

• A small plastic and copper device is put into the womb. It stops sperm meeting an egg or may stop an egg settling in the womb.

Advantages

• Works as soon as it is put in.
• Can stay in for a minimum of 5 years.

Disadvantages

• Periods maybe heavier or longer and more painful.
• unsuitable for women who have heavy painful periods.
• Not a first choice for women who might be at risk of a sexually transmitted disease

Comments

• Usually changed every 5 years. If fitted after the age of 40 can stay in until menopause.
• Women are taught to check the IUD by feeling the threads high in the vagina.

How reliable is it?

• Less than 1 woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year.

How it works

• A small plastic device containing progestogen hormone is put into the womb.
• It stops sperm meeting an egg or (rarely) stops an egg settling in the womb.

Advantages

• Works as soon as it is put in.
• Works for at lest 3 years.
• Periods will be much lighter and shorter.

Disadvantages

• Light bleeding is frequent for the first 3 months.
• May be temporary side-effects such as breast tenderness and acne.

Comments

• Women are taught to check the IUS by feeling the threads high in the vagina
• It can be useful for women with very heavy painful periods