Condoms
The message is simple- if you're having sex use a
condom!
People normally get STIs by having sex with an infected person,
so the best way to protect yourself is to use a condom
every time you have sex!
Some people get into a relationship and stop using condoms
because they think they don't have an STI and they think their
partner does not have one either. Sometimes people get drunk and
forget to use one or choose not to bother. And sometimes people say
they didn't use a condom because the other person looked 'clean.'
This is just silly!
Some STIs have no symptoms so you might think your partner
doesn't have an infection when in fact he/she does. And you might
think you don't have an infection when in fact you do!
Using condoms is not just about protecting yourself from
infection but also it's about protecting the person you're having
sex with from infection from you. Unless you have both been to the
G.U.M clinic, and been tested for every STI you can't possibly know
for sure that neither of you have an STI. Always use a condom to
protect both yourself and your partner from infection.
Do I still need to use condoms if my girlfriend is on
the pill?
Even if you're using other kinds of contraception to prevent
pregnancy like the pill, you should still use a condom as well.
Using a condom every time you have sex is the only way to protect
yourself from STIs as well as pregnancy. Using a condom when you
have sex is the most effective way to reduce your risk of picking
up or passing on an STI, including HIV.
Different types of condoms
There are two different types of condoms: male condoms and female
condoms. Male condoms are the most common type of condom. They fit
over the penis and act as a barrier to stop body fluids from mixing
during vaginal, oral or anal sex.
A female condom works in the same way but they fit inside the
vagina instead of over the penis. You should use a condom for
vaginal sex, anal sex and oral sex. You can also use a dental dam
during oral sex to protect yourself against infection.
What is a dental dam?
Dental dams are small squares of latex which work well as a barrier
during sex involving contact between the mouth and the vagina, or
mouth and the anus. Remember, some infections can be passed on in
other ways as well such as through oral sex (licking, kissing or
sucking another persons genitals) anal sex and even through sexual
touching and skin to skin contact. Using a condom or dental dam can
help to prevent STIs being passed on through oral sex.
Where can I get free condoms?
You can get free condoms and dental dams from all kinds of places
in Jersey including:
Brook (under 21s only)
The Community Contraception Clinic
The G.U.M Clinic
The Yes Project
Or you can buy condoms from:
Chemists
Petrol stations
Machines in public toilets, bars and clubs
Also, if you are a young father or your partner has recently had
a baby you can also get free condoms from your child's Health
Visitor.
Don't use out of date condoms
Remember to check the date on it. Never use condoms or dental dams
that are out of date. And also bear in mind that not all condoms
are safe. Condoms should have a kite mark or a CE mark on them to
show they have been tested and are safe to use. The condoms you can
get free in Jersey from the sites listed above are all safe to use.
Just make sure you double check any condoms you buy from anywhere
else by checking the date on them and making sure they have either
a kite mark or a CE mark.
Services
Whether you need to talk to somebody, get some free condoms or
get tested for STIs there are lots of services in Jersey that can
help. Nearly every service is completely free and they are all
confidential which means that unless you are at risk of being
harmed in any way your conversation will remain private and your
parents will not be told. You can go to these services at any age,
even if you're under 16.
Brook (under 21s only)
Address: 7 Nelson Street, St.Helier, Jersey, JE2 4TL
Telephone number: 507981
www.brook.org.uk
Helpline number: Ask Brook 0808 802 1234
What is Brook?
Brook is Jersey's sexual health service specifically for young
people. They provide free contraception (including condoms),
chlamydia testing, and if necessary full STI screening for young
men and women. Young women can access free emergency contraception
(sometimes known as 'the morning after pill'), and they also
provide pregnancy testing, advice and support and termination
referrals. Brook is a drop-in service only, and is specifically for
young people under 21. The service is free and confidential
Directions: Walking up Bath Street with town behind you take the
first left turn after the Odeon (at the car sales garage) and then
the first right into Nelson Street, Brook is on the left hand
side
View Google Map location
When is Brook open?
Monday
3.30pm-7.00pm
Tuesday
3.30pm-7.00pm
Wednesday 12.00pm - 3.00pm
Thursday
3.30pm-7.00pm
Saturday 11.00am -
2.00pm
Sunday closed
Open Mon-Fri from 10.00am-1.00pm for advice /information only (no
medical staff)
Community Contraceptive Clinic at Le Bas
Centre
Address: Le Bas Centre, St. Saviours Road, St. Helier, JE2
4RP
Telephone number: 443781
Although the Community Contraception Clinic mostly provides
women with contraception, young men can get information, advice and
free condoms too. The service is open to people of any age
(including those under 16). They provide free emergency
contraception (sometimes called 'the morning after pill'), and
chlamydia testing. The service also provides free pregnancy testing
and can make termination referrals. The Community Contraceptive
clinic is an appointment preferred service which means you need to
call before you go to book an appointment. The clinic also provides
free condoms to both males and females of any age via the condom
distribution scheme. This service is free and confidential.
Directions: (from the bottom St. Saviours Hill or Highlands
Lane) walk in the direction towards Hotel De France. Keep going
past the hotel. Once you pass the animal shelter on your left take
the next left turn. You will see the sign for Le Bas Centre, turn
immediately right and the clinic entrance is the first door on your
right hand side. If you're coming from town (with Minden Place car
park on your right and town behind you) take the first right turn
after Minden Place car park (at Spar) into Belmont Road. Keep
walking all the way down until you reach the traffic lights. The
entrance for Le Bas Centre is on the opposite side of the road in
front of you.
View Google Map location
When is the Community Contraceptive clinic
open?
Monday 11.00 am-1.30pm and 4.00pm-6.30pm
Tuesday 1.00pm-3.30pm and 4.00pm-6.30pm
Wednesday 4.30pm-6.45pm
Thursday 1.30pm-4.00pm
Friday 11.00am-2.00pm
G.U.M (genitourinary medicine) Clinic
Address: The General Hospital, The Parade, St.Helier.
Telephone number: 442856
The G.U.M clinic is the only place in Jersey that provides full
STI testing. People of any age can get tested for any sexually
transmitted infection here, including blood borne viruses such as
Hepatitis and HIV. If you have had unprotected sex (or used a
condom but it split) you should visit the GUM for full STI
testing.
Some STIs take a while to show up, so you may need to wait 2-3
weeks or make a second visit. If you want to start a new
relationship and would like to make sure you and your partner are
STI free before you start having sex you can be tested for all STIs
at the G.U.M. All testing and treatment is free and, you should get
your results within a week. The service also provides free condoms
too.
The G.U.M is completely confidential and patient records are
kept separate from regular hospital records, which means if you
ever go into hospital for any reason afterwards your visit to the
G.U.M won't be on your normal hospital records. The G.U.M is a
drop-in service and provides a clinic specifically for males only
on a Tuesday night.
Directions: The GUM clinic is in the outpatients department of
the General Hospital. The easiest way to find it is by entering the
hospital through the Gwyneth Huelin Wing. If the Opera House is
behind you cross over the road into Newgate Street. The Outpatients
entrance is on the right hand side. Alternatively if you're coming
from The Parade don't go into the main hospital entrance. Walk down
Gloucester Street which runs down the side of the hospital (as if
you're heading towards the sea front). Take the first right hand
turn into Newgate Street. The Outpatients entrance is on the right
hand side. The receptionist for the G.U.M clinic is situated
at the bottom of corridor B (the corridor next to the men's
toilets).
View Google Map location
When is the G.U.M Clinic open?
Tuesday 5.00-6.15pm (males only)
Wednesday 5.00-6.15pm (females only)
Thursday 5.00-6.15pm (mixed)
Please note some daytime appointments are available if the clinic
hours are not suitable. Please telephone the G.U.M clinic to
arrange an appointment.
Youth Enquiry Service (YES)
Address: YES Project, New St James Pl, St Helier, JE2 4QL,
Jersey
Telephone Number: 766628 or Freephone 0800 735 0121 (clients
only)
Website address: www.yes.je
Email: yes@youthservice.yc.je
Youth Enquiry Service (YES) offers free information, advice,
support & counselling on any issue to anyone aged 14 - 25. You
can also get free condoms from YES as part of the condom
distribution scheme.
Directions: Stand at the top of King Street with the high street
behind you. with If Axel Junior is on your left and the baguette
shop on your right head towards Social Security. YES is just a few
minutes further on from Social Security on your right hand side,
pretty much opposite the Indian Ocean Restaurant
View Google Map location
When is YES open?
Drop-in is open Monday & Friday 12noon till 6pm and Wednesday
3pm - 6pm. However if you want to see a counsellor you need to book
an appointment and all appointments must be pre booked.
Your GP
(GP stands for General Practitioner- this is basically your
doctor)
Address: There are a number of GP surgeries in Jersey. Every GP
surgery is listed in the phone book.
Some people know their doctors well and feel more comfortable
visiting them to talk about their sexual health. GPs can provide
chlamydia testing for young people under 25 and most forms of
contraception for females (including emergency contraception.) Some
can also provide free condoms. They will also provide advice and
support and are confidential and open to anyone of any age.
However, most GPs cannot test for STIs so if you need STI testing
it's probably best to go straight to the G.U.M clinic. Also you
should be aware that it will cost you around £30 to visit your GP,
and you have to make an appointment.
Pharmacies
There are lots of pharmacies all over Jersey which can provide you
with information and advice. You can buy condoms from pharmacies
and females can buy emergency contraception from them too (over 16s
only).