Okay, now I’ve lured you in with a literally not incorrect title, let’s get to the real business.

STDs aren’t sexy or fashionable or not-embarrassing, so it’s hard to talk about them. If, like me, you’re a 20-something year old student, you will have been taught about STDs in school and probably been, more than anything, scared about the prospect of ever catching one. And, you probably know that regular STD checks are a good idea.

But talking to your GP about them, or the prospect of going to an STD clinic sounds horrifically embarrassing, so (and this isn’t meant to patronise, this is all from personal experience of embarrassment at talking) you put off getting checked…

I won’t scare you with horror stories of what happens if you, god forbid, catch an STD, because you’ve almost definitely heard it all before, but what if I told you that it’s actually not difficult or, more importantly, mortifying to get hold of a test and do it at home? For free?! Enjoy the benefits of the NHS while you still can and do yourself a favour: if you live in Southampton, even if just during term time, you can order a test to be sent straight to your house, you do it at home and post back, then receive the results by text. FOR FREE! So why not?!

https://www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk/worried-about-stis/order-a-test-online/

“Worried-about-stis” is a bit of a mis-labelling I feel, as current advice states that if you are sexuality active you should get tested at least once a year and every time you have sex with a different partner [ref: CDC.gov].

See https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-use-self-test-kits-safely/ for more information about what’s safe, and how to get hold of free tests in various parts of the country.

Seriously consider doing a test. It’s one of the best things you can do for your health, takes minimal time and effort, and you can be safe in the knowledge that you won’t pass anything on to any future partners. Woo free stuff!!