You may have found romance but you don’t want to put yourself at risk of a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

STIs are diseases passed on through intimate sexual contact. They can be passed on during vaginal, anal and oral sex, as well as through genital contact with an infected partner. Common STIs in the UK include chlamydia, genital warts and gonorrhoea.

The numbers of diagnosed cases of STIs in the UK are going up.

The age group most affected is 16 to 24-year-olds. Even though they make up just 12% of the population, young people account for more than half of all STIs diagnosed in the UK.

This includes 65% of new chlamydia cases and 55% of new cases of genital warts. Older people are no exception, STI’s can affect everyone.

There are a number of places where you can get screened for STIs including some GP surgeries, sexual health and contraception clinics, and the Royal Bournemouth GUM (genitourinary medicine) clinic.

Here we offer:

• Expert diagnosis and treatment of all sexually transmissible infections including HIV

• Diagnosis and treatment of genital skin problems

• Emergency Contraception

• Free condoms and safer sex advice

Remember, all sexual health services are confidential. This means that your personal information, any information about your visit and the tests and treatments that you have will not be shared with anyone outside that service without your permission.

When it comes to family planning, there are so many methods of contraception to choose from.

It is worth taking the time to find out more about each one so that you can choose contraception that suits you.

One of the best ways to protect yourself and your partner from STIs is by using a condom and practicing safer sex. National Condom Week (13th to 19th February) is a reminder to all, that sex should be safer sex.

Whatever your age, even if you’re under 16, you can get free condoms from community contraceptive clinics, sexual health and GUM clinics, some young people’s services, and some GP surgeries.

You can also buy condoms in pharmacies and supermarkets.

For more information on the methods of contraception available and sexual health advice, visit our GUM pages at www.rbch.nhs.uk/gum or watch our ‘condom, no condom’ film which is also available on these pages.