Youth Section

The best way to make the right decision for you is to have the information so you can make an informed choice.

Have a look at the pages in this ‘youth section’ – get the facts. Let us know if you want more information on any specific area.

Do you know you can book a doctor or nurse appointment without your parents consent? Just book via reception.

For information on well being advice for young people please access the link below:

Alcohol and drugs

Be Alcohol Aware

From the second you take your first sip, alcohol starts to affect your body and mind. Some of the alcohol effects disappear overnight – but others can stay with you a lot longer or indeed become permanent.

While drinking alcohol can make you feel happy carefree and part of the group, it can also make you vulnerable more likely to take risks.

Want more information on Alcohol? Click on the link below:

Drinkline: 0800 917 8282

Drugs

Want information and help regarding drugs and alcohol? Click on the link below:

Are you ready for sex?

Most people have sex for the first time when they’re 16 or older, not before. If your mates are bragging about having sex, it’s possible that they’re pretending. Although there’s a legal age of consent, it’s not necessarily the right age that you feel ready to start having sex. 

There are no rules about how long you have to be going out with someone before you’re ready. Being ready happens at different times for everyone – don’t decide to have sex just because your friends are pressuring you.

Deciding when to have sex 

Working out whether you’re ready is one of life’s big decisions. You’re the only one who can, and should, decide. Whether you’re thinking about losing your virginity or having sex again. 

It’s your choice to choose whether you want to have sex, whoever you’re with. Just because you’ve done it before, even with the same person, doesn’t mean that you have to do it again. 

Talking about sex

It’s better to have an embarrassing discussion about sex than an embarrassing sexual encounter before you’re ready.

There are lots of things to think and talk about, such as:

  • are you both ready?
  • will you be having sex for the right reasons and not because of peer pressure?

Sex isn’t the only aspect of a relationship, and there are other ways of enjoying each other’s company.

You can do other things that you both like, such as talking, meeting each other’s family and friends, going to the cinema, doing sport, walking, and listening to music.

Feeling Comfortable

You need to have the confidence to work out how you want to respond if sex comes up, and how far to go. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable. Is it the right time, the right place, and with the right person? Do you really trust the person, and do you feel the same way about one another?

If you think you might want to have sex, ask yourself?

  • Does it feel right?
  • Do I love my partner?
  • Does he/she love me just as much?
  • Have we talked about using condoms, what did we decide?
  • Have we got contraception organised to protect against pregnancy? 
  • Do I feel able to say ‘no’ at any point if I change my mind, and will we both be OK with that?

If you answer yes to all these questions, the time may be right. But if you answer yes to any of the following questions, it might not be:

  • Do I feel under pressure from anyone, such as my partner or friends?
  • Could I have any regrets afterwards?
  • Am I thinking about having sex just to impress my friends or keep up with them? 
  • Am I thinking about having sex in order to keep my partner?

Being in a relationship doesn’t mean you have to have sex. Even if you’ve done it once or twice you still need to make sure that your boyfriend or girlfriend is as keen as you each time.

Safer Sex

These clinics are open to young people registered at our practice.

Young Person Clinic Poster

When you decide to have sex, consider the possibility of pregnancy and/or catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. It’s important to talk about contraception and condoms before you have sex. Both of you have a responsibility to have this conversation.

Using Condoms

Condoms to reduce the risk of catching an STI, whoever you are having sex with.  If you’re a boy/girl couple, you need to use an additional form of contraception to prevent an unintended pregnancy.

Lesbian, gay or bisexual couples

Click for further information – MESMAC North East website

If you have lesbian, gay or bisexual sex you can still get or pass on STIs. You still need to know about contraception in case you have straight sex as well.

Choosing the right contraception

There are many different kinds of contraception, including the implant, injection, the combined pill and the progestogen-only pill.  Most kinds of contraception are used by girls, but both of you have a responsibility to consider which you will use. A pregnancy will affect both of you.

Sometimes the time is not right to start a family and you need to know your options for contraception or in some cases termination of an unplanned pregnancy.  Advice is available from your local family planning CaSH clinic or GP surgery.

CaSH Clinics

TEL: 0191 569 9966.  

Clinics held at:

  •  Houghton PCC
  •   Washington PCC
  •   Bunnyhill PCC
  •   Springwell HC
  •   Sunderland Royal Hospital

Or you can contact: Chester-le-Street hub: 03000 261 112

For advice nhs/private termination – information Newcastle bpas clinic: www.bpas.org/clinics-php?clinic=65

If you are worried or do not wish to see your GP regarding termination you can self-refer to:

OR

  • Durham & Darlington
  • Tel: 01388 455333
  • Clinics held at UHND or Chester-le-Street

 Please note that Dr Mascarenhas does not refer patients for termination of pregnancy so you would need to book an appointment with one of the other doctors in the practice.

Useful Information

Useful Information and Contacts

Easy To Understand Health Information