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Common STIs Sexual health and Black communities Ways to stay in control of your sexual health Further InformationLooking after your sexual health is about making informed choices that work for you, your relationships and your lifestyle.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that can be passed from one person to another through sex or sexual contact.
STIs are common and often have no symptoms and having one doesn’t say anything about who you are, your relationships or the kind of sex you have.
Common STIs
STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, HPV and HIV. Some can be cured with treatment, while others can be treated and managed.
You can find detailed information about individual STIs, including symptoms, testing and treatment, on the NHS website.
Sexual health and Black communities
Sexual health inequalities don’t affect all communities equally.
In Yorkshire and the Humber in 2024, rates of new STI diagnoses were highest among Black African communities, followed by Black Caribbean communities.
Source: UKHSA: STIs in Yorkshire and the Humber, 2024
Knowing your status is one of the simplest ways to take control of your sexual health. Testing is free and confidential, and there are different ways to protect yourself.
There are different ways to reduce your risk and stay in control:
Condoms:
- Using condoms correctly helps protect against HIV and other STIs during vaginal, anal and oral sex.
- Use a new condom each time you have sex, and use water or silicone-based lubricant with latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants can damage latex and make condoms more likely to break.
- Brunswick offers free condoms and lube to communities across Calderdale and Kirklees through our Condoms by Post service.
PrEP:
- PrEP is medication taken by people who don’t have HIV to reduce their risk of getting HIV.
- PrEP only protects against HIV. It doesn’t protect against other STIs or pregnancy.
- You can find out more about who PrEP is for and how to access it on our HIV, PrEP & PEP page.
Regular testing:
- Many STIs don’t cause symptoms, so testing can help you know your status even when you feel well.
- How often you should test can depend on the type of sex you’re having, whether you have new or multiple sexual partners and your individual circumstances.
- STI testing is free and confidential through NHS sexual health services.
- Find local testing and sexual health services.
Vaccinations:
- Vaccines can protect against some infections that can be passed on through sex, including HPV and hepatitis B.
- A sexual health service can advise whether a vaccination is recommended for you. NHS sexual health clinics may offer HPV and hepatitis vaccinations.
Further information:
Sexual health information and support for Black communities
NAZ
HIV and sexual health information
HIV Prevention England
Detailed information about individual STIs
NHS: Sexually transmitted infections