WELCOME to our Teen Health page of our website; it complements the 'Did you know?...we can help' leaflet that is available for our patients in this age group, and has sections on a variety of topics that may be have specific relevance to young people such as:
*** Body Image *** Drugs and alcohol***Bullying***Smoking***Feeling Low*** ***Contraception and safe sex***
STOP PRESS...check out information on C-Card (Condom Card) Scheme
further down this page...
- You want information about contraception
- You are worried that you might be pregnant
- You are feeling depressed
- You are worried and want advice on a personal health matter that you would rather not talk to your mum and dad about.
Not necessarily. If your doctor thinks that you understand what is going on and why – and if you are really sure that you don't want your parents to know –then your doctor does not need to tell them.
A cocktail for disaster…
For many people the festive season is a fun time which holds the promise of going out drinking and partying with friends.
It is important to remember that alcohol can impair judgement and lead you to taking risks that you would not normally take.
Take time to think before you go out to cut the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections when you mix drink and sex.
Know your limits…the more you drink, the less likely it is that you will use a condom. Don’t necessarily go out expecting to have sex, but consider carrying a condom with you.
If something has happened – don’t panic; get advice from a health professional. Take emergency contraception within 72 hours
Body ImageSelf esteem is often linked to body image and how we see ourselves. There is so much pressure nowadays for girls to be slim and even for boys and young men to look a certain way. On one hand, girls are encouraged to be fit and independent, but also thin and fragile looking. Boys are encouraged to be wise and understanding but also muscular and tough looking.Negative feelings about the person we are, how we look, and how others may see us can be powerful and affect school work, relationships and eating. Some girls, and increasingly boys as well, can see eating or not eating as a way of taking control of the difficulties in their lives.
- Have you avoided sports or working out because you didn't want to be seen in gym clothes?
- Does eating even a small amount of food make you feel fat?
- Do you worry or obsess about your body not being small, thin or good enough?
- Are you concerned your body is not muscular or strong enough?
- Do you avoid wearing certain clothes because they make you feel too fat?
- Do you feel badly about yourself because you don't like your body?
- Do you compare yourself with others and "come up short"?
- Have you ever missed meals to make yourself feel better?
- Do you ever take laxatives or make yourself sick to feel better?
TO FIND OUT MORE CLICK ON www.edauk.com
DRUGS AND ALCOHOLThese days drug and alcohol use by teenage people is much more common than it was. Drugs and alcohol are everywhere, and may not be that hard to get hold of. You may have already tried them, or have friends that use them and may be encouraging you to do the same.Knowing about alcohol and drugs and how they can affect you is important. Mostly they affect your mental state in a variety of ways; either to relax or energise – but one thing that will always be affected is your judgement [both in reading a situation and the intentions of others and in deciding how you should behave yourself]. It's no accident that when people reveal what in their own opinion was the most stupid or embarrassing thing they have ever done, drugs or alcohol was usually involved!
Danger signs of addiction and dependency
Below are some of the more worrying signs that a person may have more than just a passing relationship with drink or drugs. Have you noticed them in someone close to you or even yourself?Needing a drink or drugs to relax or forget problems.Feeling or being defensive or angry when someone questions drinking or drug taking behaviour.Friends or teachers are concerned about behaviour changes or fall in work standards.If you need to know more, or just want to inform yourself- then click on the links below:
You need adult help to tackle bullying, maybe from a trusted parent, teacher or family friend – it is NOT wrong or weak to ask for help. Reading all you can on this- the bully's nasty game- will also help you understand ways in which you can tackle the problem – your first step could be to CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW:
www.kidscape.org.ukwww.bullying.co.ukSMOKING
What can we say that will convince you that its not big or clever, and when you're a puffed out fag-faced 40 year old you'll regret ever starting? Smoking is seriously bad news for your health, and the problems just go on getting worse the longer you do it.If you already smoke then stop, there is plenty of confidential help available both here at the Health Centre and from other agencies.If you don't smoke yet then for goodness sake don't let anyone talk you into starting: you are the smart one who will live longer and be healthier and richer without this addiction to feed.Because smoking in general is causing so much concern in the Health profession, there is a mass of information about it on the links below. We will also be happy to see you for an appointment to discuss any aspects of smoking.
TAKE A MOMENT TO FIND OUT MORE, BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW:
FEELING LOW?There are times when we all can feel weighed down with all that life has to throw at us, and when the stresses of everyday life leave us feeling drained, anxious, nervous and unhappy. On top of this, you or someone you know may be feeling low about yourself, your future, or your relationships with others.Depression is when these feelings continue for several weeks or more and may or may not be related to a specific difficulty you may be experiencing. Negative thoughts about others or yourself may build up and begin to affect your appetite, sleep pattern, relationships and body image.In the meantime, certain things may make these feelings worse: alcohol, irregular eating patterns; missing meals; eating too much sugary food; late nights; poor or disturbed sleep; lack of exercise; loneliness. It may help to talk confidentially with someone such as a counsellor or family doctor, and there are support groups about too.
If you are concerned about yourself, or someone you know, the followingwebsites may provide further information, just CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW:
CONTRACEPTION AND SAFER SEX-KNOWLEDGE IS PROTECTION!
CONTRACEPTION –Definition: How to have sex without getting [or getting your girlfriend] pregnant.SAFER SEX- Definition: How to have sex without catching a nasty disease.Although most older people feel that for teenagers having sex is not a good thing [and there are some good reasons for this including getting pregnant and catching a sexually transmitted disease], the fact is that many teenagers disagree!If you decide to go ahead and start having sex, then knowing how to avoid the pitfalls of infection and pregnancy means you are ahead of the game in self-protection.
CONTRACEPTION
Deciding whether and when she wants to become pregnant is every young woman's right [and responsibility]. Contraception and education about how to use it is free to all women in this country, and appointments should be offered to you that are convenient and confidential. It's your right; so don't be afraid to ask for it. Young men can get free condoms at family planning clinics but they are usually not available at GP surgeries.POPULAR MYTHS EXPLODED:'I've only had sex once- you cant get pregnant the first time'- rubbish.'He didn't come inside me'- sorry, you can't depend on that: some semen leaks occur before ejaculation.'We use the withdrawal method'- family planning doctors have a name of the women who use this method: they call them mothers! You absolutely cannot depend on this method to protect you.'It's a safe time of then month' – don't depend on it if it doesn't come in a packet!
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION – ECHOAPPOINTMENTS Emergency Contraceptive Help OfferedThe emergency contraceptive or morning after pill can prevent an unwanted pregnancy if your contraception has failed (split condom) or you haven't used any – it cannot replace the reliability of using normal contraception.Don't rely on the morning after pill for regular contraception.This pill can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but should be taken as soon as possible.
That's why you can ask us for an ECHO appointment to get emergency contraception. Either come straight along to the Health Centre, or phone us, asking for an ECHO appointment and
we will see you as soon as possible- by this we mean within 30 minutes of arrival.SAFER SEXThis used to mean contraception too but now it means how not to catch a sexually transmitted disease [STD]. In men STDs often in the form of inflammation in the penis called urethritis and in women they are called pelvic inflammatory disease [or PID for short]. You may have heard about chlamydia, and probably have some idea what HIV/AIDS is- but what do you know about Gonorrhoea? Did you know that the rate of Syphilis infections is rising again? How are YOU going to protect yourself?The complications of scarring from PID in women [especially if it goes undiagnosed and isn't treated] include fertility problems later on, and ectopic pregnancy [pregnancy starting in your tubes rather than the uterus- a very dangerous problem as the tube can burst. Women have bled to death following a ruptured ectopic pregnancy]. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of these infections drastically reduces the likelihood of later problems. Make sure you know how to protect yourself AND what signs of infection to watch out for.
POPULAR MYTHS EXPLODED
'Clean looking boys/girls wont be infected'- how gullible is that? Don't rely on surface appearances.'My partner has only had one previous partner'- yes but was that partner faithful?Clinics wont want to screen me unless I've got symptoms.'- prevention is better than cure. If either of you has had a previous partner, be responsible and get yourself screened at the start of a new relationship. An STD is not a gift your new partner will thank you for!
Make sure you're informed about contraception and safer sex: knowledge is protection. Be smart: look things up, try the attached links, or come and ask us some difficult questions!
www.brook.org.uk
www.ruthinking.co.uk
www.playingsafely.co.uk
www.teenagehealthfreak.org
www.foryoungpeople.co.uk (for information on local services)
The C-card – Info for Young People
The C-card (Condom Card) Scheme provides FREE, quick and easy and confidential access to condoms for young people aged 17 and under.
The aim of the scheme is to reduce the number of unplanned teenage pregnancies and to reduce the risk of incidence of sexually transmitted infections in young people.
The scheme does not encourage young people to have sex, but it does provide information and condoms to those young people who are already having sex or considering having a sexual relationship by promoting a safe and healthy approach to their own sexual health.
A Registration Point will register you and give you condoms: Registration is free, quick and easy…just a few details and the C Card is yours; Registration Points can be found nearby at Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone .. for full details log on to www.foryoungpeople.co.uk
A Condom Access Point will only give you condoms and cannot register you.
Woodlands Health Centre is an ACCESS POINT –
And the service is generally available upstairs on the first floor, between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday; AND earlier/later times by prior arrangement (just call the health centre on 01892 833331 and speak with Linda, Jo or Virginia)
Everything will be dealt with in a discrete and confidential way.
West Kent Chlamydia Screening Project Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection which is found to be present in 1 in 10 of those under 25s tested. The problem with this infection is that most people are not aware that they have it, as often there are no signs or symptoms; however, if it is not treated it can spread to other parts of the body and cause pain, and it can also cause fertility problems.Any patient aged 24 years and under who is sexually active can now have a simple, free test to check for Chlamydia. The test is painless – for men it is a urine test, and for women it is a swab that they can take themselves. These samples get sent away to be tested with no record being made in the patient notes; the West Kent Chlamydia Screening Team will get the results to you using the contact details that you have given them. If the test shows that you do have Chlamydia, you will be given a prescription for antibiotic tablets to sort it out.( Older patients can also be screened free of charge – but via the usual GP routes).Your request for a screening kit will be treated in confidence, so you don't need to worry that anyone will know that you have asked about it – just come in and collect your kit from Joyce or Linda.
Whilst we make every effort to vet the websites we recommend;
Woodlands Medical Practice is not responsible for the content
of these external websites.