Sexual health awareness week started October 10 and ends October 17.
The term ‘sexual health’ covers everything from STIs, STDs and smear testing, all the way through to abortions and consent.
Each year, according to the World Health Organisation, over 1 million STIs are contracted every day.
A 25 year old woman from Leeds, who has decided to remain anonymous, experienced her first sexually transmitted disease at 21.
She said, “I was confused. I used to have cystitis quite often so when I found out I got my first STI, I thought it had come back again. When I found out it was an STI, I was very scared that I had done more harm to my body through not knowing”.
Lack of information is one of the main contributing factors to severe sexual health problems.
The young woman said, “I had no idea where to find help. It was through a close friend that I found out about a clinic. I would never have gone on my own out of embarrassment”.
Yorkshire sexual health organisation, Mesmac has been working to support and educate since 1990.
They offer a range of services, including 1-1 sessions and group sessions.
Patrick Hands, coordinator at Mesmac Leeds said, “The main clinic in Leeds is the Leeds sexual health in the Merrion Centre, we are a bit more of a specialist charity”.
University students are supported by a “dedicated youth worker” available at the Leeds Sexual health centre.
The organisation is funded by Leeds City Council to “run a community sexual health service”.
“It is still specialist, but it is for anyone at risk of HIV, but that obviously leans into some social groups more than others.”
These groups include “gay and bisexual men and black African communities”. The Mesmac organisation provides help to all who need it.
Mesmac will running pop ups in Leeds Beckett University Leslie Silver building in November.
