Advice on sexual health
What is a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
STIs are bacterial or viral infections passed from one person to another through unprotected sex or genital contact. Some of the most common STIs are genital warts and chlamydia. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve had sex, how many people you’ve slept with, how old you are or who you fancy, anyone can get an STI.
- Not all STIs cause symptoms
- Make sex safer by using condoms with all new and casual partners
- Get tested if you’ve had unprotected sex (sex without a condom) or the condom has split
How do I get tested?
If you live in Blackpool, you have the following options:
Face-to-face
Testing is free and appointments normally last about 15 minutes. Results are provided to you over the phone, by post or in person, depending on which clinic or GP you visit.
- Contact one of the GPs listed below to arrange an appointment (you do not need to be a registered patient)
Practice Address Telephone Harris Medical Centre Kentmere Drive, Blackpool FY4 4TW 07585 509689 Stonyhill Medical Practice 575 Lytham Road, Blackpool FY4 1TJ 01253 956655 - Make an appointment or drop-in at NHS Blackpool Sexual Health Services (Whitegate Drive)
- If you’re under 25, you can also make an appointment or drop-in at https://lancashiresexualhealth.nhs.uk/under-25s/
- Speak to your own GP for advice
Online
- Order a free online full STI testing kit – it tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV and Syphilis
- Order a free HIV and Syphilis testing kit
- Book an appointment online
More information
Renaissance Blackpool – offer a number of services, including rapid HIV testing, a male sexual health clinic and a postal condom service
Contraception
Contraception helps protect you from pregnancy. If you don’t want to have a baby, reliable contraception is essential. Sexwise helps you compare different methods to find the right one for you.
Abortion
An abortion is the medical process of ending a pregnancy. More information on abortions can be found here.
If you’re pregnant and want to discuss your options, you can speak to your GP or Blackpool Sexual health services.
You can also self-refer directly to free NHS-funded services who offer counselling, pregnancy testing, abortion services, talk you through your contraceptive options and provide you with contraception if possible.
