Let’s face it, no one really wants to think about sexual diseases, whatever stage of a relationship they’re in. But it’s important to know how often you should be getting checked in order to stay healthy.

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Take Responsibility

Although sex can be great fun, especially with someone you care about, we can’t ignore the fact that it can also lead to some unpleasantness too.

Sexually transmitted infections are very common and if you are not protecting yourself, you need to make sure you get tested because left untreated they can lead to complications including infertility.

But how often should you get tested? It really depends on your number of partners and how many partners they in turn have had.

Do it Yourself

There is nothing to be ashamed of, but if you really can’t face going to a clinic, you can now order free gonorrhoea testing kits in London. You take the test at home then send it back free, and can choose whether to get the results by phone, text or in the post. You might want to consider using an organisation such as https://www.checkurself.org.uk, which offers free NHS chlamydia tests for those aged 16-24.

According to the NHS, chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK. It is easily passed on during sex and most people are unaware they are infected, as they don’t experience any symptoms.

Other diseases include gonorrhea, genital warts and syphilis. If you’re experiencing pain when urinating, an itching or burning sensation or an unpleasant discharge, it could be a sign of something. However, even if you have no symptoms, you should be getting regularly tested, especially if you are under the age of 25.

According to Bexley Sexual Health gonorrhea is the second most common STI, with about one in 100 people under 25 who get tested proving positive.

If you don’t have a regular partner but are having sex at least once a year, you should be getting tested, particularly for Chlamydia, which is highly prevalent in this age group.

If you have a new partner or have had new partners, or have had unprotected sex, you should be seeking a test. Also if you have multiple partners you should get regularly tested, particularly if you haven’t used protection.