Sexual health

Contraception 

There are lots of different kinds of contraception to choose from. 

Condoms are the only type of contraception that can both prevent pregnancy and protect against sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).  

Only buy condoms that carry the BSI kite mark and the European CE mark. This means they meet the required safety standards. 

If you're under 25 years of age, you can register for a C-Card to collect free condoms and lubes at any C-Card Outlets near you or at the sexual health clinics.

For information about the different kinds of contraception available go to the FPA website or to NHS: Which method of contraception suits me.

You can also ask your GP and your  local pharmacy for a range of contraception information. This includes getting emergency hormonal contraception (morning after pill). iCaSH Norfolk also provide contraception.  

Had unprotected sex? 

In Norfolk, more than 35,000 people use the iCaSH (Integrated Contraception and Sexual Health Service) clinics every year.

Unprotected sex can lead to sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, as well as pregnancy.  

STIs can affect people of any age or gender. 

If you're under 25, you can collect free chlamydia testing kits at a range of pickup points near you. You can also order a kit online using the Chlamydia order form - SH.UK.

You can get STI testing at GP surgeries and iCaSH clinics, and via post via iCaSH Express Test. This is for anyone in Norfolk aged 16 or over.

Sexual health advice and services

• For wider information on sexual health, the NHS's sexual health information provides lots of help. This includes information about STIs, possible symptoms and contraception. 

• iCASH Norfolk provides young people with information about accessing chlamydia screening, C-Card condoms and sexual health services, as well as information about HIV and testing. Find your local iCaSH clinic in Norfolk or call 0300 300 3030. 

• Visit Norfolk LGBT - or call 01603 219299 for advice on health and wellbeing if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender 

• Visit The Magdalene Group or call 01603 610256 for support with sexual violence, exploitation or coercion.   

Unprotected sex can lead to sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV.

There are over 500 people living with HIV in Norfolk, with about 26 to 48 people receiving new HIV diagnoses per year. 

Test. Treat. Prevent.

Someone who is HIV positive and on treatment, with an undetectable viral load, has a very low to zero chance of infecting their sexual partner/s with HIV. 

Thanks to HIV drugs, doctors now see the infection as something that people can live very well with for a lifetime. This is especially true if they get an early diagnosis. 

To find out more about HIV, testing and treatment visit iCaSH Norfolk. iCASH also offer rapid HIV testing where you can see your result in 60 seconds. You can book an appointment on 01603 226666 or email ccs.icashnorfolkoutreach@nhs.net.

SH:24 also offer Free Testing HIV where you can get a confidential HIV testing kit sent direct to your home in discreet packaging. 

iCASH Norfolk Outreach Team provide free sexual health training courses for practitioners promoting sexual health in Norfolk. Topics covered include: 

• An introduction to STIs: To highlight basic information relating to STIs in the UK 
• A timeline of gay rights in the UK: The evolution of LGBT+ rights in the UK and the impact on the LGBT+ community 
• An introduction to sexual health promotion and young people: To explore the key information and knowledge relevant to supporting young people with their sexual health 
• Chlamydia - Encouraging young people to test: To support participants in promoting chlamydia testing to young people 
• Consent, confidentiality and Fraser guidelines: To offer a short introduction to the concepts of consent and confidentiality in relation to working with under 16s when providing sexual health information and support 
• C-Card under 16s - How to join up 13-15 year olds: What you need to know and do to join up 13-15 year olds to the scheme 
• Getting the hang of the C-Card scheme: To introduce you to the C-Card scheme so you can consider setting your service up 
• Learning disabilities and sexual health: A short overview of working with people with learning disabilities around sexual health promotion and education 
• Supporting the delivery of RSE (Part 1): To increase confidence in delivering relationships and sex education (RSE) sessions 
• Supporting the delivery of RSE (Part 2): To provide key information and messages to support RSE sessions 
• Talking consent with young people: A beginners' guide: To be able to have useful conversations with young people about consenting to sexual activity 
• The future of HIV in the UK: The strategies to end HIV infections and improve the outcomes for people living with HIV in the UK 
• PrEP: All you need to know: What you need to know about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) 

Courses take place either face to face or online. Anyone who works in Norfolk can book themselves onto a free online training course via iCaSH Norfolk.   

Alternatively, if you have at least eight people and a suitable training venue, iCASH can come to you and deliver a free face-to-face training. Please email your request to ccs.icashnorfolkoutreach@nhs.net or call 01603 226666.