From family planning to a new romantic partner, there are a number of reasons to get a sexual health check. With the number of diagnosed STIs on the rise, and some not showing any symptoms, it is important to get regular sexual health tests.

After years of lockdowns and restrictions, life is beginning to feel a bit more normal. As we all go back to some sense of pre-pandemic life, one area that doctors are currently warning about is a rise in sexually transmitted infections. 

After months of separation, it is only natural that people are drawn back to each other. However, this is also leading to a rise in unprotected sex. Research has shown that there is a growing trend of gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia in Northern Ireland over the recent few years, particularly in comparison to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Not all protection will help protect against STIs. Even amongst those that do, no protection is 100% effective in protecting against the spread sexually transmitted diseases. However, there are steps we can take to make sure that our protection is as effective as...