Sexually transmitted infections are infections that can be caught through sex & sexual activity (and yes that includes oral sex- so get your condoms and dental dams at the ready!). The best ways to avoid catching an STI are to always use a condom and to get regular STI tests done at your local clinic. If you are worried about anything in particular go and get it checked out! Remember the nurses and doctors who work in the sexual health clinics have seen it all before- So don’t be embarrassed!

There are many strains of HPV (Human Papiloma Virus), which can cause warts. Some HPV viruses can cause cervical cancer but all girls can now be vaccinated against this strain at school or at your GP. However, the strains which cause genital warts have no health problems; they are just not very nice to look at!

In girls warts may be seen or felt anywhere on the genitalia or inside the vagina, whilst boys will get them on the penis, foreskin or bum. Warts have no uniform shape or size and are usually painless.

Symptoms might include:

Flat or smooth small bumps

Cauliflower-like lumps (could be enough to put you off cauliflower for life!)

If you have any of the symptoms above it is best to get checked out- a doctor or nurse can usually tell you whether they are warts just by looking at them. They can be treated through a variety of methods including using creams or freezing them, a GUM clinic will be able to advise and treat you.

If you have symptoms and are worried about one of the above infections (or any other sexually transmitted infection) it is always best to go to a GUM clinic. Often they will be able to start treatment on your first visit.

However, if you are being sensible and getting regular routine checks you can go to a FRESH clinic, GUM and most GP services.

When you come to a FRESH clinic the nurse or doctor will ask you a number of questions about your sexual activity- don’t be embarrassed we ask everyone the same questions! Sometimes, they might feel it is best to refer you to a GUM clinic as they have a more specialist sexual health service, whilst FRESH is a contraception specialist. However, if you are coming in to FRESH we offer a routine sexual health check- so take advantage of it!