• Female bodily changes
• Puberty
• Periods
• Male bodily changes
• Erections
• Ejaculation
• Masturbation
• Emotions
• Sex

For further information please click here

Consent = Yes, I agree…

You, (the patient) consent to a medical or surgical examination – including sexual health matters. This means that you have agreed (said ‘yes’) to the examination, service offered, or the treatment being proposed.

Consensual Sex

According to the Law, any kind of sex must be consensual, which means that both partners must agree to it. This is true whether you are planning on kissing, having oral sex, having sexual intercourse (sex), sharing sexual fantasies, or doing anything else that’s sexually intimate. Consensual sex means that you and your partner (boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife…) are comfortable and willing to have sex because you have discussed it with each other without putting any pressure on.

The age of consent

The age of consent is the age when the law says you can agree to have sex. In most countries, until you reach this age you can’t legally have sex with anyone, however old they are. Sometimes the law is slightly different when the partners are of a similar age, but there is still usually a minimum age below which sex is always illegal. It also makes no difference even if a young person has consent from parents – they do not make the law so it will still be illegal.

Is the age of consent the same across the world?

No. What the age of consent is usually depends on where you live – there are different age limits in different places and in some places the age of consent is different between boys and girls. To find out more on the age of consent in different countries visit www.avert.org.uk

Why do we have these laws?

Although many young people are mature enough to know how to deal with it if someone tries to get them to have sex, some teens are not grown up enough to know what to do. Age of consent laws are there to stop young people from being exploited by adults. This means that sex below the age of consent may be a criminal offence and a person can be prosecuted.

The age of consent in the UK is 16 for all individuals of all sexualities.

Worried that the doctor or health professional will tell your parents or someone you know that you’re having sex?

Well don’t be. Under the law, a doctor can provide contraception under the age of 16 without parental agreement (without your parents being involved). If they think you are mature / grown up enough. Even if they refuse (and many don’t), they still have to keep your visit confidential and will not tell anyone.

Young people are often worried that they will be ‘caught’ by friends or family if they attempt to access sexual health services. If a professional, (i.e. nurse, doctor, school health nurse, counsellor, adviser) has a duty of confidentiality; it means that he / she is not allowed to tell anyone else anything that you have told them – without your agreement.

Is confidentiality different for adults? No.

A duty of confidentiality means that it’s the person’s job;

• To keep any discussions about you, and information held between you private.
• The only time where confidentiality may be broken is if the professional thinks that you are at serious risk of harming yourself – or others.
• If this is the case – they will always discuss this with you first.

If you’ve got doubts you probably need to think about it a bit longer. There’s no rush. Waiting until you’re relaxed and confident about your decision to have sex means you’re more likely to enjoy it and less likely to regret it, (many people who have sex under 16 regret it later).

If you’re sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons, make sure you’re doing it with the right person.

• Can you trust them?
• Do they make you feel relaxed and happy?
• Can you have a laugh with them?

Trust and friendship are great starting points for great sex. But don’t expect miracles! It’s only natural to feel nervous your first time. And no-one’s going to win medals for how good you are at sex. So don’t put pressure on yourself to get it right immediately. Just try to relax and go with your own feelings – good sex happens when you feel comfortable enough to talk to someone about even the most embarrassing things. That sort of trust doesn’t happen overnight. Face the fact that sex is going to feel strange, awkward – it might even be funny at first. But it will get better. All it takes is practice with the right person.

Most importantly, if you are going to have sex then always use a condom – unwanted pregnancy or an STI are souvenirs you could well do without. This directory has sections on Peer Pressure, Same sex relationships, contraception and STI’s for you to find out more information.

If you’re really worried about peer pressure it’s important to have someone you can talk to – someone you trust. This directory will point you in the right direction of services, groups and people that are around to help you feel better.

There’s a lot of pressure on people to have sex and not to have sex. It can come from friends, girlfriends / wives, boyfriends / husbands, parents and the media. But the truth is, only you can decide when you’re ready. See ‘relationships’ for more information.

If someone’s putting you under pressure to have sex it’s the same as bullying or abuse. Over time it can be really upsetting. If someone is making you unhappy it might help to talk through your worries with someone – an older brother or sister, a parent, a friend or just someone who you really trust.

Some people prefer to talk to someone who doesn’t know them. If that’s how you feel, just give the ‘service’ a call and say you’d like to speak to someone who can give you a bit of advice. You can get free and confidential advice on sex and contraception, even if you’re under 16.

• U19yrs can speak to health staff at Community Sexual Health Clinics, a member of the Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Health Team, access a range of sexual health websites or call the Sexwise Helpline for free and confidential telephone advice.
• Over 19yrs can speak to a doctor, health professional (Community Sexual Health Clinic staff), Health Trainer or Lifestyle Advisor who will all point you in the right direction of specialist help or advice.

Details of helplines and links to other websites can be found on this website.

It’s your decision to have sex and nobody else’s.

If it helps, write down all the positive things about having sex with the person you like and also write down the negative things. It could help you to get your thoughts straight.

Some people will also take advantage of you if you’re too drunk or too drugged up to know what you’re doing.

If you are experiencing these problems contact Addaction: 0151 422 1422.

Alcohol

Alcohol lowers our inhibitions which means that we could take more risks than we would when sober…

We tend to be more trusting after drinking alcohol and when you have got your ‘beer goggles’ on you may end up going off with or having sex with someone that you would not usually go with if sober.

You may forget or decide not to use a condom

If you do remember to use a condom, being drunk means that you’re more likely to put it on wrong or split it.

In addition… In both men and women, who drink heavily over prolonged periods, can shrink external genitals!

Poor sexual performance

Alcohol numbs the nerve cells in our sex organs, which can make it very difficult to reach orgasm. It can also stop men from getting and keeping an erection and stop women from producing enough natural lubrication for pain-free sex.

Drinking too much is also linked with depression, which can lead to a decrease sexual desire.

Infertility

If you are trying for a baby it is advised that you should stop drinking alcohol to increase your chances of conceiving, as some women who drink heavily can find it harder to get pregnant. Women who drink heavily can also find that their periods may stop altogether.

Excessive alcohol use in men can make them less fertile; it can kill sperm and lead to temporary impotence.

Unwanted pregnancy

Drunken sex can to lead to unplanned pregnancies, and also puts you at higher risk of catching sexually transmitted diseases.

Damage to unborn babies

Alcohol can affect your unborn baby, because whatever alcohol you drink passes to the baby through the placenta. Babies are so tiny and the liver is one of the last organs to develop, therefore the alcohol has a greater and longer lasting affect on the baby than it does on you.

Drinking alcohol heavily during pregnancy and binge drinking can lead to a range of problems which are associated with FASD (Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). So if you are pregnant avoid alcohol altogether, this is because no one knows what a safe level is and NEVER GET DRUNK

Local Alcohol and Drugs Services for Halton

Halton Drug and Alcohol Service
Ashley House
Ashley Way West
Widnes
WA8 7RP

Tel: 0845 601 1500
Fax: 0151 422 1401
Web: www.ashleyhousehalton.co.uk

Offers help, support and advice for anyone experiencing problems as a result of alcohol or drugs.

The Community Drug and Alcohol Team and Arch Initiatives are based here.

Young Addaction
1 Alcock Street
Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 1NA

Tel: 01928 580242
Web: www.addaction.org.uk

A specialist substance misuse service and this extends to alcohol interventions, we also refer and signpost to others services such as sexual health, TP team and connexions etc, we work closely with all the schools/colleges within the borough delivering one to one sessions with YP and training around drug and alcohol related issues.

Health Improvement Team
Suite 1H Midwood House
Midwood Street
Widnes
Cheshire
WA8 6BH

Tel: 01928 593005
Health Improvement Specialist – Alcohol
Email: jane.fradley@hsthpct.nhs.uk

A Public Health service to promote sensible drinking to reduce alcohol related harm. Support is offered with specialist advice, alcohol awareness, alcohol Identification and brief advice, brief intervention and supporting behaviour change training to organisations and professionals who work within the Halton and St Helens boroughs.

The Lighthouse Foundation
71 Lugsdale Road
Widnes
WA8 6BG

Tel: 0151 420 9784
Email: lighthousefoundation@hotmail.co.uk

Support service for individuals who are suffering from the effects of drugs/alcohol.

Local Alcohol and Drugs Services for St Helens

The Lifestyle Team
Balker House
Cowley Hill Lane
St Helens
WA10 2AP

Tel: 01744 457237

A Team of primary care nurses who support individuals with alcohol and drug problems, through brief interventions/treatment, community detox (if the individual meets the required criteria) and hospital liaison service.

The Windsor Clinic
University Hospital Aintree Site
Longmoor Lane
Liverpool
L9 7AL

Weekly evening support groups in St Helens Millennium Centre Tuesday 6pm and 7.30pm

Tel: 0151 529 2450

Attached to the University Hospital in Liverpool, the Windsor clinic offers comprehensive medical treatment for individuals with alcohol problems.

St Helens YPDAAT (Under 19’s service)

2 Tickle Avenue
St Helens
WA9 1RZ
Tel: 01744 675605

Free, confidential support service for young people aged under 19 having problems with drugs or alcohol.

ARCH Initiatives

44-48 Claughton street
St Helens
WA10 1SN
Tel: 01744 730072

A Service that offers counselling, advice, needle exchange, substitute prescribing, access to detox, rehab and hostel liaison.

Useful links

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. They can put you in touch with local group meetings; call 0845 769 7555
Drinkline is the National Alcohol helpline. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence, 24 hours a day. They can put you in touch with your local alcohol advice centre for help and advice. Call 0800 917 8282.

www.units.nhs.uk
Know your units, know your limits. This NHS website has been specifically designed to warn about the dangers of excess drinking

www.drinkcheck.nhs.uk
DrinkCheck can help you find out more about your drinking. Just answer the 10 questions.

www.drinkaware.co.uk
The Drinkaware Trust is an independent UK-wide organization that aims to improve our drinking behaviour and the national drinking culture to help reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm.

www.downyourdrink.org.uk
An online self-help programme for anyone worried about their drinking, providing an interactive six-week programme to help you cut down; confidential, free and accessible 24 hours a day.

www.addaction.org.uk
Addaction is a UK-wide treatment agency, helping individuals, families and communities to manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse.

www.adfam.org.uk
ADFAM offers information and advice for families of alcohol and drug users. The website has a list of local family support services. Telephone: 020 7553 7640

www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Worldwide organisation Al-Anon offering support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. Confidential Helpline: 020 740 30 888, open from 10am to 10pm

www.nofas-uk.org
The National Organisation for Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, offering a helpline, newsletter, information and a support group for families.

www.talktofrank.com
National drugs awareness site for young people and parents/carers.
Confidential helpline: 0800 77 66 00.

www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse. Who work to reduce the incidence and costs of alcohol-related harm and to increase the range and quality of services available to people with alcohol-related problems.

www.ias.org.uk
The Institute of Alcohol Studies is an independent organisation with the broad aim of increasing awareness of alcohol related issues in society.

Footsteps

Tontine House
24 Church Street
St Helens
WA10 1BSD
Tel: 01744 457110

Footsteps is for anyone worried about drug or alcohol use in their family.

Health Improvement Team
1st Floor, The Gables
Cowley Hill Lane
St Helens
WA10 2AP

Tel: 01744 621860
Health Improvement Specialist – Alcohol
Email: lynn.saunders@hsthpct.nhs.uk

A Public Health service to promote sensible drinking and reduce alcohol related harm. Support is offered with specialist advice, alcohol awareness, alcohol Identification and brief advice, brief intervention and supporting behaviour change training to organisations and professionals who work within the Halton and St Helens boroughs.