STIs

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a bacterial or viral infection that is passed on during unprotected sexual contact – this also includes oral sex.  

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve had one partner or ten, anyone can get an STI so it’s important to get checked out. Leaving some STIs untreated can cause long-term including infertility.

Signs and symptoms

Whilst some STIs have symptoms many don’t, so instead of hoping that you don’t have one it’s best to get checked.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are the most common STIs found in young people but most people won’t experience any symptoms at all.

Use Brook’s STI tool to find out if you could have an STI.

Types of STIs

There are many different types of STIs that can be passed on during unprotected sex. Click on each STI to find out more on the Brook website:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Genital herpes
• Genital warts
• Pubic lice
• Syphilis
• Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
• Hepatitis
• HIV
• Thrush (candidiasis)
• Trichomoniasis

The below are not STIs but they can be triggered by an STI:

• Cystitis
• Proctitis
• Urethritis
• Vaginitis

How to protect yourself from STIs

Condoms and internal condoms are the only methods of contraception that can protect you from STIs.

Join our free condoms c-card scheme – find out more by watching the video below:

Get tested

If you haven’t used a condom or it has split it is really important to get tested so you don’t pass an STI on to someone else or cause yourself any harm.

You can go to a HYP service to get tested or order a free STI kit online.