HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury

Sexual health services for teens & young adults in Canterbury

Ratonga hauora aitanga ki Ōtautahi

Sexual health includes:

• contraception (including condoms)
• the emergency contraceptive pill
• pregnancy tests
• pregnancy care
• discussion or requests for an abortion (termination)
• period problems
• concerns about sexually transmitted infections
• genital problems (such as pain, soreness, discharge and itching)
• questions or concerns about sex
• sexual development
• gender identity

To get help with your sexual health you can go to:

• your general practice
• a Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa Clinic
• the Sexual Health Centre
• Te Tahi Youth.

Sexual health visits with your general practice team may be free. Ask your general practice team if you are eligible.

Appointments at Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa Clinics are free for New Zealand residents if you are under 22.

Te Tahi Youth offers free medical care and counselling for those aged 10 to 24.

Visits to the Sexual Health Centre are free for everyone.

All visits about sexual health will be kept private to you.

How to have a free sexual health visit

1. Contact your normal general practice, the Sexual Health Centre, Te Tahi Youth or a Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa Clinic to make an appointment.
2. On the day of your appointment turn up and report to reception. You do not have to bring a parent or family member, but you're welcome to, or you can bring a friend.
3. Discuss your problem or concern with the doctor or nurse.
4. After the appointment, you do not have to pay on the way out. If you've been given a prescription (for example, for contraceptives), you need to take it to a pharmacy.

  HealthInfo recommends the following videos

• Just The Facts – Visiting the sexual health clinic

  In this short video, two guys discuss what to expect when you go for a sexual health check-up.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed August 2022.

Sources

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