--- title: "Sexual health Guides — Doctor-Reviewed | HealthAnswers" description: "Confidential UK sexual health guides — STIs, contraception, emergency contraception and where to get free testing, medically reviewed by UK doctors." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/sexual-health/ robots: noindex --- # Sexual health Guides — Doctor-Reviewed | HealthAnswers Sexual health Clear, confidential, NHS-aligned guides to STIs, contraception and common sexual problems — and the free UK services that test and treat without judgement. Need HIV PEP after a high-risk exposure? Do not wait — go to A&E or a sexual health clinic that can start treatment within 72 hours. [Match the urgency](https://healthanswers.co.uk/health-tools/when-to-get-help/) or call 999 if you are seriously unwell. ## Symptoms to take seriously - [Pain when peeing](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/pain-when-peeing/) - [Vaginal discharge](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/vaginal-discharge/) - [Pelvic pain](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/pelvic-pain/) - [Vaginal bleeding](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/vaginal-bleeding/) - [Bleeding after sex](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/bleeding-after-sex/) ## Infections and sexual problems - [Chlamydia](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/chlamydia/) - [Gonorrhoea](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/gonorrhoea/) - [Genital herpes](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/genital-herpes/) - [Syphilis](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/syphilis/) - [HIV](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/hiv/) - [Human papillomavirus (HPV)](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/human-papillomavirus-hpv/) - [Pelvic inflammatory disease](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/) - [Thrush](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/thrush/) - [Erectile dysfunction](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/erectile-dysfunction/) - [Premature ejaculation](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/premature-ejaculation/) ## Contraception and treatment - [Emergency contraception](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/emergency-contraception/) - [Missed contraceptive pill](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/missed-contraceptive-pill/) - [Choosing contraception](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/choosing-contraception/) - [Contraceptive pill](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/contraceptive-pill/) - [Contraceptive coil (IUD and IUS)](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/contraceptive-coil/) - [Contraceptive implant and injection](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/contraceptive-implant-and-injection/) - [Sildenafil and tadalafil](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/sildenafil-and-tadalafil/) - [Aciclovir and antivirals](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/aciclovir-and-antivirals/) ## Tests and screening - [Pregnancy test](https://healthanswers.co.uk/tests/pregnancy-test/) - [Cervical screening (smear test)](https://healthanswers.co.uk/tests/cervical-screening/) ## Where to get help - [NHS sexual health services](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/sexual-health-services/) - [NHS contraception](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/) - [Find a pharmacy on Pick My Pharmacy](https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/) — emergency contraception and Pharmacy First - [When to get help — 999, 111, GP or pharmacy](https://healthanswers.co.uk/health-tools/when-to-get-help/) - [Questions to take to a clinic or GP](https://healthanswers.co.uk/health-tools/questions-for-your-gp/?topic=Sexual%20health) ## Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 111 and pharmacy schemes are run by each UK nation. Use the service where you are, not an England pathway copied from a search result. ### Urgent advice (111) - England: Call 111 or use 111.nhs.uk for urgent advice that is not a 999 emergency. [NHS 111 online](https://111.nhs.uk/) - Scotland: NHS 24 runs 111. Use it when you need urgent care and your GP, pharmacy or dentist is closed, or you think you need A&E but it is not life-threatening. [NHS 24 — when to phone 111](https://www.nhs24.scot/111/) - Wales: NHS 111 Wales provides urgent advice by phone and online. [NHS 111 Wales](https://111.wales.nhs.uk/) - Northern Ireland: There is no general 111 service. Use your GP surgery’s out-of-hours number, listed on nidirect. [nidirect — GP out of hours](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/gp-out-hours-services) ### Community pharmacy - England: Pharmacy First can assess selected common conditions at some community pharmacies, including uncomplicated UTI in eligible women, sore throat, sinusitis, earache, impetigo, shingles and infected insect bites. Ask — not every pharmacy offers every pathway. - Scotland: NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is available if you live in Scotland or are registered with a Scottish GP. A community pharmacy can advise and often treat many minor illnesses without a GP appointment. - Wales: The Common Ailments Service lets many community pharmacies advise and treat a wider list of minor illnesses. Ask what your local pharmacy can do. - Northern Ireland: Pharmacy First NI covers selected everyday conditions. Ask the pharmacist what is available locally rather than assuming an England pathway applies. Compare GPhC-registered pharmacies, including NHS services such as Pharmacy First, on [Pick My Pharmacy](https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/). ## Common questions Are NHS sexual health clinics free and confidential? Yes. NHS sexual health and contraception services are free and confidential, including for under-16s who understand the advice given. You do not need a GP referral. You can often self-refer, walk in, or use an online postal STI test where your area offers one. When do I need emergency contraception? As soon as possible after unprotected sex or a contraceptive failure. The copper IUD is the most effective option up to 5 days after. Emergency pills work for a shorter window. A pharmacist, GP or sexual health clinic can advise. This does not protect against STIs. When is HIV PEP needed? Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be needed within 72 hours of a high-risk HIV exposure. Do not wait for a routine clinic slot. Go to A&E or a sexual health clinic that can start PEP the same day. This page cannot decide your risk for you. Can a pharmacist help with sexual health? Often yes — emergency contraception, thrush treatments, and some contraception advice. Find a GPhC-registered pharmacy on Pick My Pharmacy, or use an NHS sexual health clinic for STI testing, PEP and coils. Red-flag pain, fever or pregnancy symptoms still need urgent clinical assessment.