Sexual health services are free and available to everyone, regardless of sex, age, ethnic origin and sexual orientation.

Depending on where you live, services and advice may be available from:

  • sexual health clinics (which can also be called family planning, genitourinary medicine (GUM), or sexual and reproductive health clinics)
  • GPs
  • some pharmacies
  • young people's services

If you are not sure which service is right for you, contact NHS 111, and they will advise you.

Not all service providers offer the full range of sexual health services, and it's always best to check what's on offer in advance.

You can look for local sexual health services or advice centres on this site. Enter your location to find a service near you.

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Source: NHS

A sexual health clinic should be able to give you advice about both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraception. They are sometimes called family planning, GUM, or sexual and reproductive health clinics.

Their services are completely confidential. You should be able to get:

  • advice on STIs and how to protect yourself
  • tested for STIs
  • information on different types of contraception
  • any type of contraception, including emergency contraception

For some kinds of contraception, such as an implant or intrauterine device (IUD), you may need to come back for a second appointment.

Visit our contraception and mental health self-help page for more guidance on what might be suitable for you. 

Some GPs and young people's services offer contraception (including emergency contraception) or tests and treatments for STIs. Advice, information and tests are free, but you may have to pay for any prescriptions.

Your local pharmacy may offer emergency contraception and sometimes can test for STIs such as chlamydia. However, this service will not necessarily be free of charge.

Find local chlamydia screening services or free self-sampling tests for under 25s.

In some places, people over 25 can also order free STI self-testing kits online, but this may not be available in your area.

You can order free self-sampling HIV test kits in many parts of the UK online. Visit the free HIV testing website for more information or to order a kit.

Source: NHS

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