The amount of people infected by sexually transmitted disease (STD) has been rising recently, and young people between are amongst those most affected, especially if they don’t practise safe sex. The problems associated with some of the more common diseases - gonorrhea, chlamydia and genital warts - can cause complications for life.
The organisations and helplines here can offer you further advice on safe sex or if you think you might have contracted STD. Remember that the first person you should go and see if you suspect you have one is your doctor, but you can also go straight to your local GUM clinic, details of which are available through many of the sites and helplines below.
A useful website and helpline if you're under 18 and need advice about sex and sexual health - go to the website or phone them for free.
The Sexual Health Information Line offers information and advice on contraception, emergency contraception, condoms, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy testing and where to find the nearest sexual health service.
The Family Planning Association provide information about contraception methods, STDs and how to plan for a child, but also advice if a pregnancy is unplanned. Very thorough information about all these subjects plus the location of your local GUM (Genito-Urinary Medicine) clinic can be found on the website at or by phoning the helpline.
Though there aren't any Brook Clinics in Wales, their website is full of useful information about contraception and sexual health, aimed at young people and those who might be thinking about their options if they're experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.
The Terrence Higgins Trust is there primarily for people who have been affected by HIV, offering a wide range of free and confidential services for them, their partners and families.
Extensive, good quality health information usually provided by GPs and nurses during consultation.
NHS Direct Wales is a 24 hour helpline, which can give advice about health and health services across Wales. It is staffed by experienced nurses specially trained to give advice over the phone and provide information about all your local services.
A list of all the GUM clinics in Wales on our map