When it comes to sexual health, it is important to enjoy sexual activity, without any risk of harm or suffering to yourself or others.
It is also about using contraception and avoiding sexually transmitted infections (STI) – which are on the rise.
Making positive choices about contraception and sexual health is important, not just for your physical health but also for your general wellbeing.
Sexual Health Services
Our local sexual health services, offer a free, confidential, non-judgemental service available to the people of mid and south Essex, regardless of sex, age, ethnic origin and sexual orientation. The expertise of staff means everyone can expect appropriate, effective advice and care to benefit their sexual health.
Clinics are run by a team of doctors, nurses and support workers and offer the following services:
- Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI)
- Free condom supplies
- Pregnancy tests
- All forms of contraception
- Emergency contraception/morning after pill. (Also available from some pharmacies.)
- General sex advice, counselling and support
Services can be accessed without a GP referral – all links will take you to an external site.
Essex Sexual Health Service Brook Southend Brook ThurrockResidents aged 16+ can now order a FREE postal STI testing
A quick, confidential online assessment will recommend the most appropriate kit for you, which can include tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis.
Tests arrive in a plain envelope, sent via first class post – please allow up to 10 working days for your test to arrive. The kits include clear instructions to help you take your own samples at home and a freepost envelope to return your samples. Results will be sent to you within 14 days.
Top tip: waiting two weeks after unprotected sex to take the test will provide a more accurate result. For HIV testing, you need to wait 6 weeks to take a test in order to get the most accurate result.
Free condoms
Residents in Essex
FREE condoms, femidoms and lube are available from a network of distribution venues across Essex (excluding Southend and Thurrock).
Free condoms for people aged 16 to 24 and living in Essex
Free condoms for people aged 25+ and living in Essex
Residents in Southend
A C-Card is free for anyone aged 13+ living in the city of Southend-on-Sea. The C-Card gives you access to free condoms, internal condoms (femidoms) and lube at a number if outlets.
Residents in Thurrock
A C-Card is free for anyone aged 13 to 34 living in Thurrock. The C-Card gives you access to free condoms, internal condoms (femidoms) and lube at a number if outlets.
Video: How to put on a condom
This video explains how to put on a male condom before you have sex. You can get condoms for free from most sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries too.
How to put a condom on
Condoms are usually made from a very thin latex and you can get them free from most sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries too.
They’re all made for the same purpose. To stop pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.
How to put on a condom before you have sex
Here’s how to put on a condom before you have sex.
Make sure the condom isn’t out of date. Condoms always have a use by date on the packet.
Always use a condom with a European or UKCA mark on the packet.
Take the condom out of the packet, being careful not to tear it. Don’t open the packet with your teeth as you might rip the condom.
Place the condom over the tip of your erect penis – If there’s a teat on the end of the condom, use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze the air out of it. (A teat looks a bit like a nipple).
Gently roll the condom down to the base of your penis. If it won’t roll down you may be holding the condom the wrong way round. If this happens you could have some sperm on it, so throw it away just to be safe and try again with a new one.
After you’ve had sex, withdraw your penis while it’s still erect, holding the condom at the base while you do it.
Take the condom off and throw it in a bin, not down the toilet. You may want to be discreet and wrap it in a tissue.
Now that you’ve had sex safely, you might think about doing it again, so just repeat the steps when putting on a new condom and enjoy.
Most sexual health clinics offer free condoms and advice.
Click the link to find your nearest sexual health clinic.