Sexual health
We offer free, confidential, non-judgemental sexual health services to the students at the University of Sheffield.
Overview
We’re trained to deal with sexual health problems no matter where you're from, your sexual orientation or gender identity. We’ll ensure we treat you with dignity and tailor our testing and advice to your specific circumstances.
For general information about sexual health services in Sheffield, visit:
Where available, we'll provide the information on this page in other languages.
Make an appointment
We’re still providing sexual health services at UHS.
You can also self-refer into one of our sexual health drop-in clinics held at UHS by phoning reception on 0114 222 2100. These are held every week on alternate Thursday and Friday afternoons.
When you arrive to the drop-in clinic you will need to check-in at the reception desk. The receptionist will send you a questionnaire to complete and a clinician will review your responses to establish a care plan. You may be given a self-taken swab kit, urine sample kit, blood test and / or an appointment with an appropriate healthcare professional depending on your needs.
Contraception
Contraception is used to prevent you or your partner from becoming pregnant. It's free and confidential from:
It's available to everyone, whether you're from the UK or an international student. Some contraception can be bought at shops, eg condoms.
When you book an appointment, we can talk to you about:
- different types of contraception
- what’s best for you
- STI prevention
- healthy relationships
Types of contraception
Long-acting reversible contraceptives
For example, the implant, coil and injection. These are reliable, and you don’t have to think about them once they’re in. They do not interrupt the flow of sex like condoms would. Once removed your fertility returns to normal.
The pill
This is a hormonal tablet taken daily. There are two types which contain either progesterone alone or progesterone plus oestrogen, these are hormones naturally found in the body. The pill is very reliable if taken correctly.
Barrier methods
For example, condoms. These are the only contraceptive to offer protection against STIs and pregnancy, they're reliable when used correctly.
How to put on a condom
Male condoms
The following video demonstrates how to put on a male condom.
More information from Sexual Health Sheffield
Female condoms
The female condom, or femidom, is the only form of barrier method that a woman can use to prevent STIs.
The following video demonstrates how to use them:
More information from Sexual Health Sheffield
Video: Contraception
Video: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Emergency contraception (morning after pill)
This can be used to stop pregnancy when you've had unprotected sex or your contraception fails.
This is most effective if taken within 24 hours after sex but can be given up to 5 days after. It comes in two forms:
- a pill such as EllaOne or Levonelle
- a copper coil which is inserted into the womb by a qualified nurse or doctor
You can get the emergency contraception pill from:
If you’re unsure where to go, phone us on +44 114 222 2100 or NHS 111.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Advice, testing and treatment of STIs is free, confidential and non-judgemental. You can access these services at:
What is an STI?
These are infections, most commonly transmitted through sexual activity. We’re most commonly talking about Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, genital warts and herpes, but the rates of other less common STIs such as HIV, Syphilis and M-Pox (Monkeypox) are also increasing.
You get STIs from unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex. It can also be passed on through close genital contact.
Left untreated, an STI may cause pain and complications, which could damage your body.
An STI is diagnosed in young people every 4 minutes in England.
How to prevent STIs
- Use condoms to reduce the risk of catching an STI. Dental dams can be used in oral sex.
- Condoms are free in the UHS toilets, Sexual Health Sheffield and at the Student Advice Centre on level three of the SU building.
- Condoms must be used within their sell-by date and stored in a dry cool place to work most effectively.
For guidance on condoms and how to put on a male and female condom, see the section above on condoms.
How to identify an STI
The majority of people don't have symptoms but can still pass on the infection. Common symptoms are:
- unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus
- pain on peeing
- itching, blisters or lumps in the groin, genitals or mouth
- a rash
- unusual vaginal bleeding
When you should test for an STI
You should test for an STI:
- if you have any symptoms
- if you have any sexual contact with anyone with symptoms; or
- regularly, as a screening test
The UK government recommend regular screening of STIs and HIV whether you have symptoms or not.
Women and people with a womb or ovaries are recommended to have chlamydia screening annually and with a change of sexual partner.
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are recommended to have an annual test for HIV, or every 3 months if having sex without condoms with new partners.
It can be as easy as a urine sample or blood test.
STI Testing Information in Mandarin
Asia Pacific
- Some STIs, such as gonorrhoea, have become resistant to antibiotics, which makes them more difficult to treat.
- A particular type of antibiotic-resistant strain is more common in the Asia-Pacific, including countries such as China, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam, but is found rarely in this country. There has recently been an increase in cases of this strain in the UK among students from the Asia-Pacific.
- If you have recently travelled to the UK from the Asia-Pacific region and have STI symptoms, get an STI test. Even if you don’t have STI symptoms, but have recently had sex without a condom, also get a test.
- Treating gonorrhoea as soon as possible is very important as, if left untreated, it can lead to serious long-term health problems. In women and other people with a uterus or ovaries, gonorrhoea can spread to the reproductive organs and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- PID can lead to long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. In men and other people with testes, it can cause a painful infection in the testicles and prostate gland, which may lead to reduced fertility in some cases.
- STI testing is free and is available through online self-sampling services or by contacting local sexual health services.
- Typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating, pain and discomfort in the rectum and, in women and other people with a uterus or ovaries, lower abdominal pain and bleeding between periods. However, often people infected with gonorrhoea will have no symptoms, especially for infections in the throat, vagina or rectum.
LGBT+ sexual health
We’re trained to deal with sexual health problems no matter your sexual orientation or gender identity.
We’ll ensure we treat you with dignity and tailor our testing and advice to your specific circumstances.
If you have symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection, we always suggest you visit Sexual Health Sheffield (GUM Clinic) based at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
Men who have sex with men (MSM)
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at higher risk of sexually transmitted infection and may require different types of tests. Our doctors and nurses will treat you in a non-judgemental way during your appointments.
The HPV vaccination and HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) services are not available at UHS. We encourage you to visit Sexual Health Sheffield at least once so you can discuss this, even if you don’t have symptoms.
HPV vaccinations are available to MSM under the age of 45. Unfortunately, it’s only available at sexual health clinics.
HIV PrEP is a medication that can reduce your chance of becoming infected with HIV. It’s offered to MSM who are at high risk. If you wish to consider having PrEP, make an appointment at Sexual Health Sheffield to discuss it.
Cervical screening (smear test)
We're now taking appointments for routine cervical smear tests.
Resources in other languages
Vaginal discharge
It’s normal for all women to have a vaginal discharge. It’s usually clear/opaque and can get thicker and greater in quantity at certain times of the menstrual cycle.
If your discharge seems different from usual (eg different colour, consistency, amount) and is causing you discomfort, you can make a 20-minute female nurse appointment.
Make an appointmentThe nurse will ask you some questions and may examine you with your permission. They may take some swabs to see if there’s an infection.
Bleeding between periods
It’s not always abnormal to bleed in between periods. This could be caused by missing a pill (if you take oral contraception) or because of an illness.
However, bleeding could be related to an infection or another problem. We advise making an appointment for advice and an examination if necessary.
