Local clinics
Enter your postcode below to view local services
Local pharmacies
Enter your postcode below to view local pharmacies
Join our contraception forum
Ask a clinician a question, join in discussions and share your experiences with others by joining our contraception forum.
Doing the SH:24 blood test
These top tips are from people who have completed the test kit in the past.
To help you prepare:
- Relax and be patient and if you’re nervous, ask someone to help you (it can take longer for some people than others)
- Watch the instruction video and read the instruction leaflet (we know people find the test easier to complete after watching the video)
- Tie long hair back and take off any scarves or jewellery that could get in your way
- Lay the test kit items and your two tissues on a clean, flat surface below your waist.
To help blood flow:
- Take a hot shower or bath, or hold your hand under warm water for a few minutes, (when your hands are warm, blood flows easier)
- Stay standing and keep your arm straight with your hand below your waist
- Aim for the middle of the tip of your finger, not too close to your fingernail
- Push lancet down hard against your finger
- Wipe the first dot of blood away with a clean tissue to stop the blood congealing
- If your finger dries up, wait a while, warm up your hand, use another finger and make sure you press the lancet down hard against your finger.
Confidentiality
If you’re under 18
Is what you tell us confidential?
We will keep your information confidential. We will not tell anyone what you tell us except if we think that you or someone else is at risk of serious harm and that telling someone could prevent or stop this harm. In this situation we will not share your information without telling you first.
This story is an example of this:
Jay, 17, ordered a sexual health test because she had sex at her uncles house last week. She went to visit her uncle one afternoon and he had some friends round. They made her welcome and offered her vodka and snacks. She had a few drinks and remembers dancing with him and his friends. She does not remember much after that but woke up a couple of hours later on the sofa in her underwear only. She doesn’t know what happened. Her uncle was asleep in his room. She left the house and went home but was too embarrassed to tell her parents. She is upset, but tries not to think about it. She hasn’t been able to concentrate at school since it happens. She has avoided her friends and stays at home as much as possible.
Jay is upset about what happened, she is worried about pregnancy and infection. She feels angry that someone took advantage of her and she does not know what will happen if she sees her uncle again. He comes round the house regularly and she has a younger sister who is 15 who is also at home.
So, in this situation we would talk through what happened through with Jay, find out what we can do to help. Does she need to talk through what happened to her with a counsellor or support worker or school nurse? How can we help her to get the emergency contraception or pregnancy test that she needs (we can help with the sexual health screen). How can we make sure that this does not happen again and that a similar thing does not happen to her sister?
These things might involve sharing her information with a support worker or sexual health nurse. It may involve telling social services so that they can investigate what Jay’s uncle and his friends are doing and find out if there are other young people at risk.
This is the sort of situation where we might need to share confidential data. It is because Jay’s health and the health of her sister and possibly others is at risk.
If you’re over 18
If you are over 18, but are worried about people finding out that you have been tested, you can still rely on us for complete confidence.
We will only tell someone else what you have told us if we think you are not sure about making a decision by yourself, or if we think you are at risk of harm. We would talk to you about this before we contacted anyone else.
Partner notification
SH:24 have joined up with SXT to offer anonymous partner notification by text message.
If you test positive for an STI it’s important that you contact your recent sexual partner(s) so they can get tested too – for the sake of their health and those who they have sexual relations with in the future. SXT’s partner notification tool anonymously informs your recent sexual partners that they should take an STI test. If you test with SH:24 and return a positive STI result, SXT will send you a text message and offer you the opportunity to contact your recent sexual partners to let them know that they should get tested. Partner notification is completely anonymous - meaning your recent partners will not know who raised the notification. Even if you are comfortable with telling your partner(s) face to face it’s recommended that you use the SXT tool to help your partner access the correct testing and treatment at the clinic.
How it works
- 1. If you test positive for an STI, you will receive a text message from SH:24 with details about the infection and then a separate text message with a link to SXT’s secure site. Once you click on the link in the message you will be offered the option to inform one or more of your sexual partners by text message or email. Your mobile number is not stored on the SXT database.
- 2. On entering your partners email or mobile number you will see the message they will receive - you will also be offered the opportunity to personalise the message.
- 3. On submitting, your partner(s) will immediately receive an anonymous message from SXT recommending that they get tested – it will include a code which they can present at their local Sexual Health Clinic to fast track their testing. Your partners mobile number or email address is deleted from the SXT database once the message has been sent.
How else can we help?
If you are worried about a situation where you have felt unsure about having sex, read on to find out where you can get more support.
Do you feel pressured into sex?
Nobody should be forced to have sex if they don’t want to. If you don’t want to have sex, even with a regular partner, you have the right to say no.
If your partner doesn’t want to have sex but you do, you should respect their choice.
You should never feel pressured into having sex. ‘Pressure’ might mean:
- Being made to feel scared or uncomfortable by the person or people you are having sex with
- Being made to do something sexual that you didn’t want to do, or being intimidated
- Feeling that you can’t say no to sex
- Being told that if you loved your partner you would say yes
If any of these things have happened to you there are people you can talk to about your relationship. If you’re ever worried about sex, you don’t have to deal with it alone.
National services
Text and webchat service giving sexualhealth information, support and signpostingfor people under 25 in the UK. | |
Confidential service for people up to theage of 19. You can contact a ChildLinecounsellor about anything. |
Have you been offered payment for sex?
Being paid for sex doesn’t just mean being given money, it could be something like gifts, drugs, alcohol or protection in exchange for sex.
Having sex in return for something may mean you are not in a safe situation, even if you think you are in control of what’s happening. It is more likely that the person ‘paying’ you is in control.
If you have questions about your situation or want to talk to someone, there are services for young people in Lambeth and Southwark that could help you. If you feel like you’re stuck and need help to get out of a difficult situation, there are lots of people who can support you.
National services
Text and webchat service giving sexual health information, support and signposting for people under 25 in the UK. | |
Confidential service for people up to the age of 19. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor about anything. |
Do you use alcohol or drugs before sex?
Drugs and alcohol can lead you (or your partner) to do things that you might not have done otherwise, or that you might not want to do. You might find yourself in a situation that is beyond your control, or where you are unable to make clear decisions about sex.
Your partner or people who you are with might be more likely to put you under pressure to have sex if they have been using alcohol or drugs.
There are lots of places you can get more information about alcohol and drugs. You don’t have to talk to someone if you don’t want to. You can read information online, or make a confidential phone call.
Whatever you choose, it’s good to be informed so that you can keep yourself safe.
National services
Friendly and confidential drug advice. |
Do you feel down or depressed?
Many young people suffer from feeling down or depressed. This can make it harder to make safe decisions about sex.
Some young people might try to harm themselves because they feel down, and might find it harder to say ‘no’ to sex because they don’t feel good about themselves.
There are lots of places where you can get support, and help to understand what’s going on. This is often the first step to feeling better.
You might just want to find out a bit more about depression or low self-esteem before talking to someone, or perhaps you want to help a friend.
Here are some places that have information you can read online, and people you can talk to if you want to speak to someone in person.
National services
Charity committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people. | |
Confidential service for people up to the age of 19. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor about anything. | |
Forum providing crisis support, information and resources, advice, discussions and distractions. It is closely monitored and available 24/7. | |
Exists to give young people hope and to prevent young suicide. |