NHS Lanarkshire Sexual Health - Looking after yourself

Looking after yourself

Safer Sex

For many people Sex is an important and healthy part of their lives. Sex can be fun, exciting, wonderful and loving. Being sexually healthy means making happy, healthy decisions about your sex life based on what you want, and free from pressure or co-ersion from anyone else. Being sexually healthy also means protecting yourself and your partner from sexually-transmitted Infections (STIs). These are Infections passed from one person to another during sex. You can get some of these infections without having had Vaginal or Anal Intercourse, however most STIs are acquired (picked up) during Penetrative sex. So you need to protect yourself and your partner from infection. Don’t worry if you think you have a sexually-transmitted infection. These infections are as common as the cold! Most STIs can be treated easily and successfully.

Female Self-Examination

Knowing our own bodies, being familiar with how they look and how they feel, is a key factor in maintaining good general and sexual health. It is important to be aware of any changes in our bodies that may signal the beginning of an unwelcome condition.

With many conditions that we regard as serious, any unpleasant effects can be minimised if the conditions are identified early. This also means that any treatments can be more effective, simpler to provide, and less disruptive at the first stages of a condition.

Cancer is a condition that affects both men and women, and has many different forms. Two of the most common forms of cancer are testicular cancer in men (cancer in the balls) and breast cancer in women. These are also two of the most easily identified cancers and early diagnosis makes treatment of the conditions easier.

This is where knowing our bodies, and checking them regularly really comes into its own.

Female Genital Mutilation

What is Female Genital Mutilation?

Female genital mutilation (known as FGM for short) is a general term to describe a range of intentional damage done to healthy female Genitalia, and can include Circumcision, Excision and Infibulation. In females, circumcision may involve removing the head of the Clitoris or more extensive damage.

Anus and Rectum

The anus leads to the sphincter (bum-hole) - the tight circle of muscle that contracts and loosens to allow the passage of faeces (poo) out of the body. The rectum is that part of the alimentary tract that leads to the anus. Both the anus and rectum can become involved in Penetrative activity.
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