Under 16s

Good news, you can be tested and treated for Chlamydia confidentiality even if you are under 16 years old.

You also have the same right to confidentiality, unless we think you might be at risk of harm, but we will always talk to you before we speak to anyone else about you.

We will go through the Fraser Guidelines with you, which means talking about the legal side of having sex under 16, and whether or not there is an adult in your life you can talk to.

How do I know I'm ready for sex?

'Sex - You choose, no need to rush… No regrets.'

Having Sex can be enjoyable with the right person, but it's very easy to make mistakes and end up hurt, which is why people advise you: "don't have sex until you're ready!".

Sex can lead to pregnancy, and or a Sexually Transmitted Infection. There can also be emotional consequences to having sex with someone - it can really change a relationship, and maybe not for the better.

Legally, in England, you aren't allowed to have sex until you are 16 that includes gay and lesbian sex. The age of consent is the age when the law says you can agree to have sex. The law is there to protect young people from being forced into having sex.

But remember just because you are 16 doesn't mean you have to have sex.

You're the only person who can truly know if you're ready to have sex. Here are some questions that may help you work it out…

RU READY - OR NOT QUITE YET?

• You feel you could say no if you wanted to
• You can have fun together without anything sexual involved
• You each want it for yourself, not for the other person or to fit in with friends or others' expectations of you
• Nobody's forcing you, pressuring you or making you
• You have discussed using condoms and contraception, and agreed what happens next and whether or not to tell your friends afterwards as well as talking about the what happens if you become pregnant

YOU PROBABLY WON'T BE READY FOR SEX TILL YOU CAN TICK ALL THESE BOXES. BUT REMEMBER EVEN ONCE YOU ARE READY - IT STILL DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO!

REMEMBER TOO THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE ALREADY HAD SEX IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO AGAIN - YOU CAN TAKE SOME TIME OUT

© Copyright : Jo Adams

Getting Information about Sex.

You can get information from a variety of places on the IOW. The FACT logo is displayed by services that are happy to talk to you about your sexual health and help you with Chlamydia and STI tests, contraception including emergency contraception and condoms as well as listening to any concerns or questions you may have.

You can also get information from the IOW Sexual health Clinic on www.iow.nhs.uk/shs or at many local doctors surgeries and pharmacist.

There are more useful numbers under 'useful links' on this website.