SEXUAL HEALTH
CO-EDITOR RACHEL MITCHELL
YOUNGANDFREE.ORG.UK: ONLINE CHLAMYDIA SCREENING SERVICE FOR UNDER 25s
AS SOME SERVICES REMAIN RESTRICTED WE AT TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST THOUGHT IT A GOOD TIME TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT UNDER 25s CAN ORDER A FREE CHLAMYDIA TEST SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR DOOR. ORDERING A KIT IS SIMPLE WITH OUR NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE! HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: THE MOST COMMON STI: 1 in 10 sexually active young people in the UK have chlamydia. Recent reports by Public Health England revealed that just under half of all STIs diagnosed were chlamydia with 15-24 year olds being the age group at highest risk.
WHO NEEDS TO TEST? The NHS recommends that people test for chlamydia once every year or on every change of sexual partner. Chlamydia is often symptomless! 50% of men and 70% of women have no symptoms for chlamydia so routine testing is important.
A QUICK AND EASY TEST: The test kits arrive in confidential packaging and simply involve urinating in a pot or a quick and easy vaginal swab. Results are received directly to your phone by text, phone call or email.
DISPELLING THE MYTHS MYTH: Chlamydia is just a problem for women.
FACT: Chlamydia can infect people of any gender.
MYTH:
Chlamydia isn’t a problem as it is often symptomless.
FACT: If left untreated or caught repeatedly chlamydia can cause a number of long term medical conditions. These include conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease in the female reproductive system (which can potentially lead to infertility) and epididymitis in the male reproductive system (swollen and painful testicles) as well as reactive arthritis.
41 • SE XUA L H E A LT H • S TUDENT LIFE
