Good sexual health is about more than avoiding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unplanned pregnancies. Positive relationships, a healthy body and mind, and confidence about your sexuality and gender identity are all key to good sexual health and wellbeing. 

It does not matter if you’re having a one-night stand or sex in a long-term relationship, you should feel happy and safe with what you’re doing. 

Chatting about contraception, STIs, what you like doing and what you’re comfortable with helps to make sure that everyone is happy with what’s going on. This is a vital and helpful part of consenting to sex.

Find out more about what consent means and how to express it. 

Anyone who’s sexually active can get and pass on STIs. No matter your age or your sexual experience, you can stay safe by using condoms, having STI tests and learning what else you can do to prevent STIs. 

Find out more about having sex for the first time and sex in later life. 

Your physical and mental health can affect many aspects of your sex life, like your sex drive and planning a pregnancy. Your sex life can have an impact on your wider wellbeing. 

Read more about taking care of your body and mind, how sex can feel different as you age, and about women’s health issues such as menstruation and menopause.

No matter your sexual orientation or your gender identity, preferences and experiences, you have the right to a safe, happy and healthy sex life. 

We have advice if you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, nonbinary or gender diverse, and about safe sex if you’re a woman who has sex with women or a man who has sex with men.