If you’re thinking about having sex for the first time it’s really important that you:
- feel ready
- don’t feel pressured into it by someone else
- feel comfortable with your decision
Even though it might seem as if everyone around you is having sex, remember the average age for first sex in the UK is still 17 and above.
Most people feel both excited and worried at the thought of having sex for the first time – this is normal.
The main thing is that you feel absolutely ready.
Local information and support
Sexual health services in South Tyneside are free, confidential and available to everyone regardless of sex, age, ethnic origin and sexual orientation.
They aim to make sure that people are given the information and skills they need to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.
South Tyneside sexual health services provide:
- advice on sexual health, relationships and family planning
- free contraception
- free testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- free HIV testing
- free emergency hormonal contraception (the morning-after pill) for young people
Services might be delivered by nurses, specialist doctors, your local/regular doctor, pharmacists or outreach workers.
Not all service providers offer the full range of sexual health services as outlined above, and it’s always best to check what’s on offer in advance.
It is fine to take a friend with you for support. If you need to have an examination, you should be offered a chaperone. This means that someone else can be with you when you have the examination if you want them to be.
To find services available in South Tyneside click here.
LGBTQ+
We want you to feel proud of your own identity and accept who you are.
We understand this is not always easy and we want you to feel supported.
Humankind: LGBTQ+ North East is the local LGBTQ+ support service offering friendly and practical support such as: one-to-one support sessions, sexual health guidance, fun activities, support accessing clinical gender identity services and more.
Information about national LGBTQ+ services can be found here.
