Sexual health is about looking after yourself and others. This means enjoying the sexual activity you want, safely, without causing you or anyone else any suffering, either physical or mental. It is not just about using contraception or avoiding infections.

when you're gone

It's not always easy to buy good quality condoms on holiday. It's best for you to pack a supply before you go.
This doesn't mean you're looking for sex, it just means you're well prepared.

If you do forget to take them with you, here's a few translations of the word 'condom' which might come in useful:
French: Preservatif
Greek: Profilakto
German: Kondom
Turkish: Preservatif or Kaput
Spanish: Preservativo or Condom
Russian pronounced: Galosha
Danish or Swedish: Kondom
Scottish Gaelic: Condom
Italian: Preservativo

Oh, and try to remember that sunscreen, heat and direct sunlight can weaken condoms. It's best to store them in a cool, dry place and use water based lubricants. Be careful not to rip the condoms with sharp nails or jewelry. Even a tiny hole can cause major problems!

Practice using condoms on your own before the real event! You know, to help avoid an awkward moment when you're not sure how to do it. Most condoms have instructions and a diagram on the leaflet. Choose condoms that have the CE mark or BSI Kite mark. This means they are a certain quality and standard.

Free condoms - Condoms are FREE at all our clinics and also via the Ayrshire and Arran C card scheme

If you're holidaying at home or abroad you're at risk of contracting STI's including HIV, if you have unprotected sex with someone. The scary thing is you can't always tell by looking at people if they've got something or not.

EVERYONES AT RISK: YOUNG, OLD, STRAIGHT, GAY

But safe sex isn't just about using condoms, you can reduce the risk of catching infection in other ways. For example: fewer partners or low risk activities like mutual masturbation or massage. If you do go abroad you should know that the risk of getting STI's is higher in some parts of the world than in others. So, by using a condom during sexual contact, you can help reduce the risk of catching an infection.

It makes sense when you think about it!