If you have sex without using a condom you are at risk, you could get pregnant or catch an infection.

The pill and the cap protect against pregnancy but not against infections like gonorrhoea or even HIV.

If you are thinking of having anal sex you should use extra strong condoms that are available.

If you think you're going to have sex, take precautions, buy condoms and carry them with you. Many women will leave this responsibility to the men and often if they don't have a condom wont question it. This needs to change and both men and women need to take action and full responsibility for their sexual health as its only you ultimately that can protect yourself.

When you're close to having sex, it's time to start talking about using a condom.

If you don't use a condom, it's not safe for you to have sex.

The Facts

Since 1995 there have been large increases in the number of people diagnosed with STIs.

Symptoms vary between sexually transmitted infections and some have no symptoms at all.

Most STIs can be easily diagnosed and treated at Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics which are usually based in local hospitals.

Tests for Sexually Transmitted Infections vary. Some involve taking swabs from the cervix or tip of the penis, or a blood sample.

Sexually transmitted infections are usually passed on by sex with an infected person though some can be passed on in other ways.

Sexually transmitted infections can be caught during oral, vaginal or anal sex.

Using a male or female condom every time you have sex will stop the transmission of most sexually transmitted infections.

There are 25 types of sexually transmitted infection. Some can be acquired without sexual contact.

Common STIs: Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Genital herpes, Genital warts, NSGIs, HIV and AIDS, Hepatitis B, Trichomoniasis, Syphilis.

The following STIs are not necessarily transmitted through sexual contact: Candidiasis (thrush) , Pubic lice, Scabies.

As part of Twisted Taboo's safer sex campaign, a free pack of condoms is being given to every customer whose order is £30 or more.