Helen Jaques

Commercially available home tests for chlamydia could be failing to identify between 75% and 83% of people infected when compared with the “gold standard” biochemical lab test, according to new research from the Netherlands. The study of 772 women found that three “point of care” tests available on the internet and in pharmacies only correctly [...]

Young people, especially Brits, famously head to Australia in their droves in search of travel, adventure, and, crucially, some hot weather.  In 2009-09, 560,105 international backpackers visited Australia, representing 10.9% of all international visitors. It seems that backpackers in Oz aren’t just looking for fun and sun though – according to a new study they’re [...]

Being in good or excellent health increases the quality and quantity of sex for middle aged and older people, according to a big study that delved into the sex lives of 6,000 American adults aged 25-85.  Plus being fit can keep you sexually active into a ripe old age, unlike your unhealthy peers. The study also [...]

Lloyds Pharmacy has become the first high-street chemist to offer the ‘morning after’ pill emergency contraception online. The pharmacy’s website gives the option to buy between one and three emergency contraception pills online, so women can be prepared prior to any accident. Users need to complete a confidential health questionnaire before completing an order, which [...]

Although the schoolyard rumours that masturbation causes blindness or hairy palms aren’t true, a new study published in BJU International has found that too much playing solo in your twenties and thirties can increase the risk of prostate cancer. The study of more than 800 men found that a high level of sexual activity or [...]

Today December 1st is World AIDS Day. As many as 33 million people worldwide are living with HIV, and there are 80,000 people with HIV in the UK. The aim of World AIDS Day is to raise awareness of the challenges and consequences of the epidemic – ultimately halting the spread of the HIV virus [...]

The young people’s sexual health charity Brook has teamed up with the NHS and the laboratory testing company Preventx to offer free chlamydia testing kits through the post. By using the Freetest.me website, young people between the ages of 16 and 24 can order a postal home testing kit, return their urine sample or vaginal [...]

A considerable proportion of women – between 25% and 53% in fact – suffer from sexual problems, with libido taking a nosedive after the menopause as estrogen levels drop. Although low libido isn’t a health problem per se, it has been shown to have a negative effect on sexual relationships and overall wellbeing. It has [...]

This week the Office for National Statistics released the results of their 2007/08 contraception and sexual health survey, which was undertaken as part of the National Statistics Omnibus Survey. Over four months, 1,164 women aged 16-49 and 1,543 men aged 16-69 completed a questionnaire on contraception use, sexual health, and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections [...]