Monday 12-09-2022 - 09:00

Let's talk about sex...ual health!

 

This makes a lot of us feel a bit awkward when we talk about it, but we need to break that taboo. I promise I’ll make this as quick and painless as possible. 

 

I have some great sexual health resources further down for you, but before you jump ahead let me ask you a question: did you know an STI (sexually transmitted infection) and an STD (sexually transmitted disease) are very different things? 

 

STIs occur when you have an infection that has not yet developed into a disease, meaning when they are caught early enough, they are treated without long lasting effects.

 

STDs occur when the initial infection has had time to develop into a disease which has an impact on health for longer periods, potentially for a lifetime when left untreated.

 

I think we can all agree the sooner these issues are sorted out the better. This Freshers’ season, it's important you know the signs and symptoms of STIs.

 

Good Sexual Health Habits

 

This doesn’t mean you have to stay at home taking a vow of chastity. Instead, you should create good habits to help take better care of yourself. Let me ask another question: did you know you could catch an STI from kissing?

 

This is true. It's much less likely than intercourse but this is still something to be aware of. People don’t walk around with signs telling you their STI status, so even if you’re confident you’ve not put yourself at major risks, it’s always worth getting regular checks to be sure. That way, any STI can be caught in the early stages.

 

Some students find it useful to put a monthly reminder in their phone to go for a checkup. 

 

Top five STIs affecting students

 

Chlamydia (9.4%)
Herpes (2.4%)
Gonorrhoea (2%)
HPV (1.7%)
Scabies (1.6%)

 

Chlamydia is by far the most common STI amongst students in the UK. Most people with chlamydia don’t have any symptoms and don’t ever know they’ve got it, but that’s no excuse to ignore it. Left untreated, chlamydia can cause discharge from the vagina or penis, ectopic pregnancies, or the swelling of the testicles. 

 

Don’t let Chlamydia get in the way of Freshers! Get checked regularly, and get rid of it before it gets serious.

So, how do I get tested?

 

It’s not always easy to tell whether or not you’ve got an STI just on symptoms alone. Luckily, we have lots of services out there that can help. 

 

Edge Hill University has students from all over the north west, so depending on where you are living the services could look different.

 

Find a GP

 

You can go to your GP to get tested. If you’re not yet registered with a GP, you can find one using the NHS website.

Home testing

 

Some households are also eligible for a STI home testing kit. You can view all your options for home testing via Brook, the sexual health awareness charity. If you are on campus in Ormskirk, you’re part of Lancashire - so click the Lancashire tab on the Brook website and view the options available to you. Brook also lists options for Liverpool, Manchester and beyond, so you’re certain to find something close to you. 

 

If you have symptoms, this may not be the best option as postage may cause a delay in your results. As we discussed, the quicker you can get your results and treatment, the better it is for your health. 

 

Clinics

 

You can find your nearest sexual health clinic using the NHS website.

 

Ormskirk

 

Hants Lane Health Centre in Ormskirk town centre is the closest sexual health clinic to campus. Alongside STI testing and treatment, the service also provides a range of contraception methods including pills, implants, injections, coils, condoms and emergency contraception. To book an appointment, call 0300 1234 154

 

If you're studying at our Manchester Campus, you can visit a Northern Sexual Health clinic. LGBTQ+ people can also receive full screening test kits and in-person rapid HIV tests from the LGBT Foundation.

 

Remember to get checked regularly and treated quickly to avoid long term health effects. There are plenty of services available when you need them, so don’t let STIs ruin your Freshers!

 

This article was contributed by Health, Social Care & Medicine President Doreen Morrin.