Sexual health Essex services provide free, confidential testing, contraception, HIV prevention and professional advice. Early testing and treatment help protect your health and prevent the spread of infection.
Support is available to everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation or background. You do not need a GP referral to access sexual health services.
What is sexual health?
Sexual health includes your physical health, emotional wellbeing and personal relationships. It involves feeling informed, safe and confident in your choices.
Sexual health services can help you:
- Prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Access contraception to prevent unplanned pregnancy
- Get emergency contraception when needed
- Access HIV testing, prevention and treatment
- Receive confidential advice and emotional support
- Protect your health and the health of others
Looking after your sexual health is an important part of overall wellbeing.
Sexual health services available in Essex
Sexual health services are free and confidential for people living in Essex. You can access care regardless of your:
- Age
- Gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- Ethnicity or background
Services are provided by specialist doctors, nurses and trained healthcare professionals.
Services may be available through:
- Sexual health clinics
- GP practices
- Pharmacies
What sexual health clinics can help with
Sexual health clinics provide a wide range of support, including:
- Testing and treatment for STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis
- Free condoms and safer sex supplies
- Pregnancy testing and advice
- All forms of contraception, including long-acting reversible contraception
- Emergency contraception
- HIV testing, prevention and treatment
- Sexual health advice and counselling
These services help you stay healthy and access appropriate treatment if needed.
NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service
Under the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, people can speak in confidence to a pharmacist to:
- Get a supply of an emergency contraception pill
- Start the pill for the first time
- Take the pill after a break from using it
- Access an ongoing supply of the pill.
Community pharmacy teams are highly skilled, qualified healthcare professionals and experts in medicines, thanks to their years of training and studies in this field. This equips them with the right clinical training to give patients the health advice they need.
HIV prevention and treatment
Medicines are available that can help prevent HIV infection.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
PEP is an emergency treatment that may prevent HIV after possible exposure.
- It must usually be started within 72 hours
- Earlier treatment increases effectiveness
Seek urgent medical advice from a sexual health clinic, GP, NHS 111 or A&E if you think you need PEP.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
PrEP is a medication taken by people at higher risk of HIV.
A healthcare professional will assess whether PrEP is suitable for you and explain how it works.
Home STI testing
If you are aged 16 or over and live in Essex, you may be able to order a free home STI testing kit.
Home testing allows you to:
- Complete a confidential online assessment
- Receive a test kit in discreet packaging
- Take samples at home
- Return samples using a freepost envelope
- Receive results securely
Tests may include screening for:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- HIV
- Syphilis
For accurate results, wait:
- At least 2 weeks after unprotected sex for STI testing
- At least 6 weeks for HIV testing
Free condoms and safer sex supplies
Free condoms, internal condoms and lubricant are available through local schemes across Essex.
Availability depends on your age and location. Therefore, your local sexual health service can advise how to register and access supplies.
Mpox (monkeypox)
Mpox is a rare infection that spreads through close physical contact, including sexual contact. Most people recover fully; however, early diagnosis and support are important.
Symptoms may include:
- Rash with sores or blisters
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Swollen glands
Vaccination and specialist support are available for people at higher risk.
Visit the NHS website for the latest information about mpox.
If you think you may have mpox, contact a sexual health clinic or NHS 111 for advice.
When to seek sexual health support
You should consider accessing sexual health services if you:
- Have symptoms such as unusual discharge, pain, sores, or itching
- Have had unprotected sex
- Have a new sexual partner
- Want contraception
- Want routine testing
- May have been exposed to HIV
Getting tested early protects your health and others.
Sexual health services in your area
Sexual health services are provided across Essex. Visit your local page to find clinics, testing, and support near you.
Sexual health services in mid Essex Sexual health services in north east Essex Sexual health services in south east Essex Sexual health services in south west Essex Sexual health services in west EssexFrequently asked questions about sexual health services in Essex
These answers explain how sexual health services work and what you can expect when accessing care.