Marie Stopes International Press Articles

Half of pregnant teenagers abort

26/08/2010 15:25:01

Teenage pregnancies in Wales end in abortion in over half of cases, according to new figures.

Of girls under 16 who get pregnant, just under 60% opt for a termination, as do 48% of under-18s.

Five years ago the abortion rate was around 50% for under-16s and 40% for under-18s.

Teenage pregnancy rates in Wales for the first half of 2009 were 8.65% lower than the year before.

Live and still births and legal abortions are counted, not miscarriages.

"We are continuing to work towards decreasing rates of conception for women under 18 in Wales as many of these pregnancies are unplanned," said an Assembly Government spokeswoman.

"An abortion is an extremely difficult decision for women, whatever their age. It is the role of the Assembly Government and the NHS in Wales to ensure appropriate access to help, information and support to women considering this option and safe care and treatment if required."

The Assembly Government's Sexual Health and Wellbeing Action Plan for Wales 2010-2015 will set out how sexual health in Wales will be tackled.

Young women hit by STI increase

25/08/2010 09:05:35

Nearly half a million new cases of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) were diagnosed in the UK in 2009, according to Health Protection Agency (HPA) figures.

A total of 482,696 cases were reported in sexual health clinics last year, up almost 12,000 on 2008.

The HPA says that young women are "particularly vulnerable" and often "lack the skills and confidence to negotiate safer sex".

Two-thirds of new STI cases in women hit those aged under 25, including 73% of new cases of gonorrhoea in women and 66% of new cases of genital warts.

Meanwhile 88% of new cases of chlamydia - the most frequently occurring STI in the UK - in women were discovered in the same age group.

The number of chlamydia cases among both sexes rose by 7% across all age groups between 2008 and 2009, while there was a 6% hike in gonorrhoea figures.

Genital herpes cases were up by 5% while genital warts stabilised with a 0.3% drop. Syphilis cases fell by 1%.

While more chlamydia testing in the community - and more sensitive tests for other STIs - accounted for much of the rise, the HPA said it was clear many people were still having unsafe sex.

Young adults and gay men are the groups most concerning the HPA.

Re-infection is also an issue, with at least 11% of 16 to 19-year-old women in England becoming re-infected with an STI within one year of being treated for a previous one.

The same is true for young men, with 12% of 16 to 19-year-olds becoming re-infected within one year.

Helen Jenkins, a contraception and sexual health specialist at Marie Stopes International, said: "We fear that STI rates may continue to rise without increasing access to comprehensive sex and relationships education in all British schools.

"Many teachers tell us that they don't have the confidence or information to teach sex and relationship education effectively, despite knowing that many of their students are sexually active."

Big drinkers 'have more abortions'

23/08/2010 09:05:20

Abortions and the need for emergency contraception are more likely among women who drink to excess than those who remain within safe alcohol limits, research has claimed.

A study by scientists at University College London, published in the Journal of Public Health, suggested that increased alcohol use was to blame for a rise in the rate of unprotected sex.

Of their study of 25,000 people, the group found that women who drank to excess were 1.8 times more likely to have taken emergency contraception such as the morning after pill at least once over the past year.

They were also 1.4 times more likely to have had at least one abortion over the past 18 months.

The study said the number of people drinking to excess had tripled during the past 10 years, adding that more and more teenage girls surveyed during the same period were blaming alcohol for the loss of their virginity.

Around 200,000 abortions take place every year in England and Wales.

Pupils get goodie bags with condoms

20/08/2010 14:35:10

Condoms and chlamydia tests have been handed out to pupils collecting their A-Level results at a school in Northamptonshire.

The items were given out as part of a "summer savvy" goodie bag made up by NHS Northamptonshire.

They were handed out in a bid to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and stop young people from taking part in binge-drinking sessions, which can end in a trip to casualty.

The bags, containing an alcohol survival guide warning of the dangers of binge drinking, a pair of "I've been tested pants", and wallets containing information about STI screening and contraception and a condom, were given to A-Level pupils from Wollaston School in Wellingborough and Guilsborough School and Moulton School in Northampton.

Johanna Brake, a parent governor at Moulton School, told the Northampton Chronicle & Echo: "I think the timing could have been better and I would have preferred for them to have been handed out during the school term.

"I don't have a problem with it but I think some parents might be quite taken aback and offended by it."

Heidi King, head of social marketing for NHS Northamptonshire, said: "We want young people to be prepared for the adult world socially as well as educationally this week.

"Our summer savvy bags are our way of equipping the A-level students for life beyond exams and school. Our advice is enjoy yourself, but know the risks and make positive choices."

Studies 'unaffected by student sex'

16/08/2010 14:35:09

Sexual education programmes which link teenage sex to negative outcomes may need to be rethought, research has suggested.

Students who have sex while they are in a relationship are not likely to suffer academically but those who are not romantically linked could see their studies affected, it found.

Teenage experiences of studying and sex were analysed by American researchers from the University of California Davis and the University of Minnesota.

The study looked at the academic performances of teenagers, whether they were planning to progress to university and their expectations of success.

They also examined problems in school, whether the students ever skipped school and for how long, whether they had been suspended or expelled and whether they dropped out.

The data was collected from more than 90,000 teenagers taking part in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (ages 11 to 17) and the Adolescent Health Academic Achievement Study.

Results showed that, among teenagers who were similar in all other respects, those who had sex outside a relationship were more likely to experience problems at school, be suspended or expelled, were less likely to expect to go to university and had lower grades than those in relationships.

But those who had sex in committed relationships performed just as well as those who stayed virgins.

Sociologists Bill McCarthy and Eric Grodsky, lead authors on the study, presented their findings at the Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association.

They said: "These findings raise doubts about the veracity of sexual education programmes that link adolescent sex to a plethora of negative outcomes."

Long-term contraception encouraged

12/08/2010 14:35:14

Females between the age of 13 and 25 living on the Isle of Wight are to be encouraged to use long-term contraception, under a new initiative involving a third of the island's pharmacies.

Of the island's 30 pharmacies, 10 will take part in the pilot. Women and girls who request emergency hormonal contraception will be offered 28-days' worth of desogestrel, a progesterone-only pill, free of charge.

Pharmacists will also highlight long-acting reversible contraceptives, referring females who are interested to a GP or other service for further assessment.

Participating pharmacies are those which already have high numbers of emergency contraception requests, said Kevin Noble, who works with Isle of Wight primary care trust.

The demographics of the service users will be monitored, as will take-up rates of GP referrals and long-term contraception.

Teenager leads sex education calls

11/08/2010 09:05:31

A teenager is leading calls for parliament to debate a Sex Education Bill.

Jamie-Lee Coyne, 17, one of Bristol's representatives in the UK Youth Parliament, has carried out a petition and plans to present it to MPs.

As part of efforts to get young people to take precautions if they have sex, she is calling for issues around teenage contraception addressed in the Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) Bill to be opened up for discussion.

She said: "This is an issue that really impacts on the lives of young people and I would like parliament to pick the Bill back up. Good sex and relationships education is vital and should be a compulsory part of the school curriculum."

Miss Coyne is lobbying local MPs to take up the debate in the House of Commons.

As she organised various events to promote the campaign, she said: "I am looking forward to the launch of this campaign and to begin to make changes for the better. I hope to make positive action with the SRE Bill, and I am looking for support from local MPs."

Vasectomy ads hit Ireland's pubs

10/08/2010 09:05:18

A cheeky advertising campaign for vasectomies is to be rolled-out throughout Ireland following a successful launch in Dublin.

The ads featured on pub beer mats to coincide with the start of the World Cup in June, and featured a footballer celebrating a goal with the line "He scores ..."

The reverse of the mat says "... He doesn't score! Vasectomy... the best defence!"

Gabrielle Malone, programme director for family planning clinic Marie Stopes told the Irish Mirror: "The campaign tied in with the World Cup because we knew a lot of guys would be in pubs watching the matches with their mates and we thought it would be a novel way to attract their attention.

"We've noticed that vasectomy inquiries have gone up each month, with a large number of men calling in after seeing the beer mats.

"It was targeted in Dublin for the first campaign and on the success of the advertisement we will now be looking at doing it another time throughout the whole of Ireland."

Marie Stopes advert claims rejected

04/08/2010 09:05:26

More than a thousand complaints about the first UK television commercial for abortion services have been rejected by the advertising watchdog, it has been announced.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the advert shown in May and June drew 1,054 complaints from the public, GPs, counsellors and MPs over claims it encouraged abortion.

The watchdog said the "Are You Late?" advert had also been criticised for being misleading, offensive and harmful.

But defending the campaign, Marie Stopes said the advert did not mention abortion, or promote the procedure. The advert was aimed at highlighting attention the advice line for women concerned about a missed period.

Marie Stopes has received an "overwhelming response" to the advert, taking more calls to the advice line throughout the campaign.

The ad asked "Are you late?", in reference to a woman who has missed her period, and directed those facing an unplanned pregnancy to Marie Stopes International's 24-hour helpline.

Viewers complained that it was offensive because it promoted abortion, offended their religious beliefs, did not take into account the views of fathers, was sexist for implying that pregnancy was solely a woman's responsibility and equated decisions about the procedure to choices about consumer goods.

Among the objections that it was harmful were concerns that it would encourage viewers to have an abortion when they had not previously considered the option and would encourage promiscuity.

Others complained that it misled viewers by not referring to the physical and mental health risks of abortion and failed to mention that pregnant women who wanted advice could contact their GPs or seek the advice of family members.

More teenagers on the pill - data

03/08/2010 09:05:16

Five times as many 11-12-year-old girls have been prescribed the contraceptive pill than 10 years ago, according to the General Practice research database.

Over the last year, GPs prescribed the pill to around 1,000 girls aged 11-12 and gave long-term contraception, such as injections or implants, to around another 200 girls aged 11-13.

The database looked at the prescriptions of four million people from 500 GP practices. It found that most contraception was prescribed without parental consent.

At least 58,000 15-year-old girls were on the pill last year, compared with 23,000 in 1999, according to General Practice.

The Royal College of General Practitioners' Steve Field said doctors prescribe the pill to teenage girls if they believe it is the best solution - "Every doctor would have a proper conversation with the girl".

Festival teams tackle chlamydia

30/07/2010 09:05:17

Teenagers and young people on Teesside have the chance to check their sexual health while enjoying festivals in the region this summer.

Teams from NHS Tees are targeting 15 to 24-year-olds by offering them chlamydia tests and spreading the word about the screening service.

Healthcare staff will be roaming about at the Riverside Fringe Festival, Stockton's Summer Vibe and the Tall Ships event in Hartlepool in a bid to make sexually transmitted infection tests more accessible.

As chlamydia often has no visible symptoms, many carriers do not realise they have it, but its long-term effects can cause infertility.

Chris Walton, events co-ordinator for integrated sexual health service for NHS Tees, said: "Chlamydia affects one in 10 young people on Teesside so we are urging any young people who are sexually active to get tested and rule it out.

"If you see our team at an event please come and have a test, it involves filling out a form and providing a urine specimen."

Female fertility 'may be evolving'

28/07/2010 09:05:26

Natural selection may help older women to have babies later in life, according to new research.

Experts at the University of Sheffield looked at 18th and 19th century church records from Finland to investigate the influence marriage may have on fertility. The records reflect a time when almost everyone married and divorce was rare.

The research, led by Duncan Gillespie, Dr Virpi Lummaa and Dr Andrew Russell from the university's department of animal and plant sciences, found women aged between 30 and 35 were commonly married.

The women who wed rich men tended to be married at a younger age, albeit to older men and benefited from the family-sized wealth, although their chances of becoming a widow increased. And accounting for a presumption that older widows with children are less likely to re-marry, the number of women with the opportunity to reproduce later in life was diminished.

However women today tend to have children at an older age. Casual and short-term relationships, as well as divorce, are more common. As a result this trend may have, over generations, altered the the evolutionary tendency for females being more fertile at a younger age, possibly increasing the relative strength of natural selection in fertility for older females.

Mr Gillespie said: "In today's society, family-building appears to be increasingly postponed to older ages, when relatively few women in our evolutionary past would have had the opportunity to reproduce. As a result, this could lead to future evolutionary improvements in old-age female fertility."

Bid to improve family planning

27/07/2010 09:05:17

The UK Government is to focus on family planning in developing countries in a bid to reduce the number of women who die in pregnancy and childbirth, it has been announced.

Under the new approach to women's health in the developing world, announced by Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell, more family planning services will be made available to some of the world's poorest women.

Mr Mitchell claimed the international community has not considered the complexities of why at least a third of a million women in the world's poorest countries die each year during pregnancy and childbirth.

He added that millions of women had been 'failed' by the international community because of this.

At present 215 million women in the developing world want to delay or avoid their next pregnancy, but are not able to access modern family planning methods.

It is thought that by increasing access up to 30% of all maternal deaths and 20% of newborn deaths could be prevented.

Mr Mitchell said: "DFID will now have an unprecedented focus on family planning, which will be hard-wired into all our country programmes."

The Department for International Development's new consultation on reproductive, maternal and newborn health highlights a range of issues including family planning, adolescent fertility, unsafe abortion, antenatal care, and skilled care at delivery.

HIV test may become routine at A&Es

26/07/2010 14:35:09

Adults who visit hospital casualty departments may soon be offered an HIV test as routine.

A recent pilot by the Department of Health uncovered several new cases of the virus at a hospital in south-west London.

Chelsea & Westminster NHS foundation trust will implement the measure soon, while several other health trusts are considering doing the same.

The move was triggered by rising fears among health bosses that the virus is being spread unwittingly, as well as recent revelations that 15-year-olds in London are now testing positive for HIV.

Laws 'failing to prevent' FGM in UK

26/07/2010 09:05:17

As many as 2,000 British schoolgirls will be genitally mutilated on behalf of family members during the summer holidays, the Observer has claimed.

An article in the newspaper said that some young women would be taken abroad to be circumcised, while others would be "cut" and sewn closed at "cutting parties" within the UK, often by women flown in from Somalia and Sudan, where the practice is common.

The fear of social exclusion in one's community is a powerful motivating factor in convincing girls to go ahead with the procedure, experts say, with mothers thinking they are acting in the interests of their daughter. Few, however, have any idea of the medical risks involved.

Comfort Momoh, who works at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London, in one of the 16 clinics in the country who deal with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and its repercussions, told the Observer that as well as risking death from blood loss and infection, the procedure makes periods incredibly painful and is linked to infertility.

"There is no hard evidence about what is happening in the UK because it's a hush-hush thing. It's only now that a few people are beginning to talk about it, which is good because change will only come from within," Momoh said.

Two separate Acts of Parliament have outlawed FGM on British citizens at home and abroad, with a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment. To date, no prosecutions have been made.

18% of girls pregnant by 18: DoE

23/07/2010 09:05:42

A new Government survey has revealed that almost one in five girls in England say they had been pregnant at least once by the time they were 18.

Some 18% claimed to have been expecting a baby at least once, according to figures released by the Department of Education as part of wider research into 18-year-olds. Just under half (46%) decided to keep their child while more than a third (36%) decided to have an abortion.

Of the girls who said they had been pregnant, 79% said they had been pregnant once, 18% twice and 3% on three occasions.

The survey also drew a trend from the young women who had fallen pregnant by the time they were 18, by looking at their GCSE results - a third of that number achieved between one and four GCSEs at grades D-G while only 6% scored eight or more GCSEs at Grades A*-C.

Thousands of 18-year-olds responded to the Youth Cohort Study and the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England, and the answers were analysed by Department of Education officials.

Spokesperson from Britain’s leading sexual health organisation, Marie Stopes International said:

“There is an urgent need for the Government to pass the Sex Education Bill that was shelved before the election. This will ensure all young people have access to accurate and age-appropriate information about how to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

“Although parenthood might be a planned choice for some young women, for others becoming a teenage mum unintentionally can cost them their education and career.

“Half of all pregnancies to under 18-year-olds end in abortion. Research shows that when young people are provided with sex and relationships education coupled with access to a variety of contraceptive methods, real reductions in unintended pregnancy rates, and consequently abortion rates, can be achieved."

Copyright © Press Association 2010

Protection for sexual health urged

22/07/2010 14:45:00

Sexual health campaigners have urged the Government to protect the sector after last week's NHS white paper made no mention of where it would sit in reform plans.

Christine Robinson, president of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health, called on Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to avoid ignoring sexual health services, saying it was of the utmost importance that they remained a priority.

Citing a 2007 Department of Health report, which claimed that £11 was saved for every £1 spent on contraception, Mrs Robison said the move could actually save the Government money.

"GP consortia and local directors of public health must recognise the business case of investing in contraceptive services," she explained.

Others have called for spending on sexual health to be ringfenced, with services being delivered alongside other NHS operations.

British Association of Sexual Health and HIV spokesman Peter Greenhouse said: "Most people in sexual health are epidemiologists, and, with respect, they are better placed to deliver services than GPs."

Female sexual health checker online

22/07/2010 09:05:21

Women seeking sexual health advice online can now use NHS Direct's new confidential health and symptom checker.

The feature covers sexually transmitted diseases, problems with menstruation, loss of sex drive and pain when urinating or during intercourse.

Users are asked several questions and may be given advice on how to self-manage their symptoms or be given suggestions to make an appointment with an actual GP, A&E or sexual health clinic.

An NHS Direct return phone call is only a mouse-click away and the user can remain anonymous.

Around 12,000 calls about sexual health come into NHS Direct every month, with around three-quarters of them from females. Common queries from women are on vaginal bleeding, painful urination, rectal bleeding, vaginal discharge and emergency or missed contraception.

NHS Direct chief nurse Helen Young said: "Our health and symptom checkers can provide confidential and evidence-based advice quickly or signpost patients to the most appropriate place to get help."

A sexual health checker for males is already available.

'Morning-after' pill myths remain

21/07/2010 09:05:27

Most women do not know they can buy the "morning-after" pill without a prescription and many remain concerned about its effects, according to a national study in Australia.

One in three women surveyed believed taking the pill could induce an abortion, while almost two-thirds feared that birth defects could result if taking the pill did not stop them getting pregnant.

But study leader Melissa Hobbs, of La Trobe University's Mother and Child Health Research Centre, said that if the pill failed as contraception it would not cause damage to a foetus because it works by using hormones to delay ovulation.

The name of the emergency contraception was also misleading many women who thought it must only be used the morning after sex, but it can be effective for up to five days.

"But I suppose the most surprising thing was that less than half the women knew it was available from the pharmacy without a prescription," Ms Hobbs said.

Vaginal gel 'is Aids breakthrough'

20/07/2010 09:05:24

A vaginal gel has been developed in the US which can block the Aids virus, scientists have said.

The microbicide medicine, trialled in a study in South Africa, is said to halve the chances of a woman catching HIV from an infected man.

More research is needed to confirm the initial results, although the amount of protection afforded by the gel may not be enough to guarantee approval in countries such as the US, the researchers said.

Michel Sidibe, from the World Health Organisation's UNAids programme, said the research is "giving hope to women", who make up the most new HIV infections, and that a gel could "help us break the trajectory of the Aids epidemic".

Dr Anthony Fauci, from the US National Institutes of Health, said this is "the first time we've ever seen any microbicide give a positive result".

The gel contains the Aids drug tenofovir and was seen to reduce HIV infection risk after a year of use by as much as 50% and after two-and-a-half years by 39%, compared with a gel containing no medicine.

The chances of catching HSV-2, the virus which leads to herpes of the genital areas, was also said to have been cut by half with the new gel. The researchers said this is another breakthrough because the risk of catching HIV is increased with sexually transmitted diseases.

The US journal Science published the results of the study online.

Fans urged to be sure of HIV status

19/07/2010 09:05:23

Football supporters recently returned from the World Cup in South Africa have been urged by doctors to have their HIV status tested if they had unprotected sex during their holiday.

As many as 25,000 fans travelled to follow England during the tournament and the NHS has launched an awareness campaign after statistics showed that about two-thirds of heterosexual men and almost a quarter of women who contract HIV do so due to holiday sex.

The "Beer Goggle Johnny's Guide to Sexual Health" campaign is encouraging fans to visit their local sexual health clinic if they took part in unprotected sex, in a country where one in five young adults are infected with HIV.

Dr Steve Taylor, sexual health and HIV consultant at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, said: "During the festivities, if holidaymakers had unprotected sex, it is more important than ever to get themselves checked out on their return.

"Although the public are more aware of the dangers of unsafe sex these days, we are not seeing people putting this into practice, which is worrying. We want holiday makers to take precautions, pack condoms in their suitcase and attend sexual health screenings on their return if they are unsure."

Scientists uncover sperm gene link

16/07/2010 09:05:17

Researchers in the US have discovered that a gene called Boule has been uniquely required for sperm production in animals ranging from sea urchins to humans for 600 million years.

Dr Eugene Xu, who led the study at Northwestern University in Chicago, said: "This is the first clear evidence that suggests our ability to produce sperm is very ancient, probably originating at the dawn of animal evolution 600 million years ago. This finding suggests that all animal sperm production likely comes from a common prototype."

Scientists believe Boule's key role in reproduction may provide a potential target for a male contraceptive drug, and it may also open up new ways of combating pest-borne diseases with controlled breeding.

The gene was discovered by Dr Xu in 2001, but at the time no-one suspected that sperm from so many animal species had a common origin as different genes often produce similar functions.

Dr Xu's team investigated the sperm of a sea urchin, a chicken, a fruit fly, a fish and a human, and Boule was present in every sample.

Their research is reported in the online journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Genetics.

Cancer jab helps more than expected

14/07/2010 09:05:29

More cases than expected of cervical cancer could be prevented through the use of a new jab, according to research.

The vaccination scheme is aiming to protect girls at school from a strain of cancer responsible for most cases of the disease.

The school jabs will target sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV).

It will protect against two strains of HPV, 16 and 18, which research has revealed cause around 70% of cases of cervical cancer.

Now, however, experts believe the jab could prevent between 73% and 77% of cases, and could offer cross protection to other strains of HPV.

This means the number of cases of cervical cancer across the whole of the UK could fall from almost 3,000 at the moment to fewer than 700 a year.

With almost 1,000 women dying from the disease every year, more lives could also be saved.

The latest research, published in the British Journal of Cancer, was carried out by scientists at the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the University of Manchester and Manchester Royal Infirmary.

HPA epidemiologist Kate Soldan said: "We've found that, if vaccine uptake is good, the HPV vaccine should prevent the majority of cases of cervical cancer in this country.

"Because the vaccine is given to teenage girls and cervical cancer affects adult women, it will be some years before we see the actual impact of immunisation, but we do expect to start seeing these effects in coming years, as vaccinated girls become adults."

Gay men warned of aggressive STD

13/07/2010 09:05:19

An aggressive form of chlamydia is becoming increasingly widespread among the gay community, HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust has warned.

LGV (lymphogranuloma venereum) is a "serious sexually transmitted infection that attacks the lymph nodes", according to the organisation.

The variant of the sexually transmitted disease (STD) arrived in the UK in 2004 and has since been spreading among gay and bisexual men. Last year there were 193 men who were diagnosed with the infection and in the first half of this year, a further 190 men have been diagnosed, many of whom also have HIV.

Nearly all of the men who have the disease, have been infected rectally. LGV symptoms develop within a few weeks amongst the majority of men infected.

Painful anal abscesses or ulcers, painful inflammation (called 'proctitis') and bleeding and discharge from the rectum are amongst the symptoms.

If the condition is not treated, LGV can cause lasting damage. Surgery might be required as the inside of the rectum can become seriously affected.

Alan Wardle, Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "Early warning signs that you may have LGV include constipation, inflammation, pain or bleeding from the rectum."

STI 'Testival' heads to Bristol

12/07/2010 09:05:19

A leading sexual health charity has launched a campaign aimed at reducing the number of cases of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the South West.

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) announced plans for a free 'STI Testival' in Bristol aimed at young people in the region who may be at risk or already infected with an STI or HIV without their knowledge.

The charity said the free clinic, to be held on July 22, aims to slash the high number of undiagnosed HIV cases and STIs in the region.

Some 3,440 people are thought to live with HIV in the South West, a quarter of whom are unaware they have the condition, according to THT.

The organisation said a quick results service, which promises results for gonorrhoea and chlamydia within a week as well as a finger-prick blood test for HIV that provides results in just 15 minutes, will be available for participants at the clinic, to be held in the West Street area of the city.

The charity said undiagnosed chlamydia was another major problem among the UK's youngsters, with one in fourteen people aged 18-25 currently becoming infected with the largely symptomless infection without their knowledge.

Africans invited to football event

09/07/2010 14:35:13

African men living in London have been invited to take part in a football tournament that gives them an opportunity to learn new ways to stay healthy.

The tournament, called Play It Safe, is organised by the HIV and sexual health charity the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).

Men taking part in the tournament will receive information packs and advice on training, as well as free condoms and advice on sexual health.

The event, funded by the Anglo American Group Foundation, will see three qualifying group rounds taking place across the capital.

The final of the tournament, which is free to enter, will take place on September 4.

The winning team in each qualifying round will receive £150 prize money and a Play It Safe trophy, while the overall winners will get a £250 prize and trophy.

At each event, players will have an opportunity to take a health MOT between matches, with tests offered on site for HIV, TB, blood pressure, and body mass index.

Marc Thompson, deputy head of health promotion at THT, said: "We know, for one reason or another, African men can sometimes be reluctant to come forward and access health services.

"However, with Africans one of the groups most at risk of HIV in the UK, it's vital we ensure men have the information they need to stay safe and healthy."

Reduced fertility 'boosts sex life'

09/07/2010 09:05:28

Women approaching the age where fertility levels reduce may begin to display a heightened sex drive, according to new research in the US.

Researchers at the University of Texas studied 827 women, splitting them into three groups - those aged 18-26 (high fertility), 27-45 (low fertility) and 46+ (menopausal).

The online questionnaire found that women engage in a wider variety of sexual activities including one-night stands and adventurous bedroom antics between the ages of 27 and 45.

The results are available in a paper published in the July edition of Personality and Individual Differences.

"Our findings suggest that women don't need to necessarily go 'baby crazy' in their 30s or go around thinking they're supposed to be having a 'sexual peak,'" researcher Judith Easton said.

"Our results suggest there is nothing special about the 30s, but that instead these behaviours manifest in all women with declining fertility. It may be more difficult to conceive past the age of 35, but our research suggests women's psychology will continue to motivate them to try until menopause."

People across all ethnic groups and races are becoming mothers older than their counterparts 20 years ago, a report this year from the Pew Research Centre's Social & Demographic Trends shows.

Compulsory sex education rejected

08/07/2010 09:15:22

A plan to make sex education in primary-age academy schools compulsory has been rejected by the House of Lords.

The last Labour government had previously pushed through the plan, but new Tory Education Minister Lord Hill of Oareford said the benefits of forcing academies to teach sex education were unclear and called for the House to reject the proposal.

Labour previously claimed children may be "suffering" because of a lack of good personal, social and health education (PSHE), but peers backed the coalition Government's stance on the issue by 245 votes to 156, a majority of 89.

Lord Hill said the issue of sex education in primary schools should be considered as a whole and not just in academies. He hinted the Government will revisit the matter later in the year.

He said the key issue was whether PSHE should be a compulsory requirement for "academies alone as one distinct set of schools".

He told peers: "I'm not convinced that singling out PSHE in primary legislation is the right way to go and secondly I would argue that the best place to consider these issues is in the round, when we get a chance to look at the whole question of the national curriculum later in the year.

"We expect that the review will take place in the autumn and that we will have a proper look at the entire national curriculum."

Labour former education minister Baroness Morgan of Drefelin, speaking for her party, pointed out that the previous government's plans for compulsory sex education had been killed off by the Tories in the so-called wash-up in the days before Parliament was dissolved before the general election.

New target for anti-herpes drugs

07/07/2010 14:45:00

A key piece of the herpes virus "cell-entry machinery" has been mapped out by scientists and can be used as a target for antiviral drugs, it has been reported.

The unusual structure of the protein complex that enables herpes to invade cells has been revealed by research funded by the National Institutes of Health. The way herpes invades cells has long been a mystery to scientists hoping to stop the family of viruses.

"Most viruses need cell-entry proteins called fusogens in order to invade cells," said the study's senior author Ekaterina Heldwein, who is assistant professor in the molecular biology and microbiology department at Tufts University School of Medicine.

"We expected that this complex was also a fusogen, but after determining the structure of this key protein complex, we found that it does not resemble other known fusogens

"This unexpected result leads us to believe that this protein complex is not a fusogen itself but that it regulates the fusogen. We also found that certain antibodies interfere with the ability of this protein complex to bind to the fusogen, evidence that antiviral drugs that target this interaction could prevent viral infection," she said.

Vaccine protects women against HPV

06/07/2010 15:25:01

A vaccine is protecting females between the ages of 12 and 26 from four strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause genital warts, research has shown.

The vaccine has had a population-level affect on the rates of genital wart infections, which can be caused by two strains of HPV, UNSW’s National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR) has found.

Since the vaccine was made available in mid-2007 the number of women under the age of 27 in Australia diagnosed with genital warts has fallen by 60 per cent.

Groups who did not use the government-funded vaccine, including men who have sex with men or older women, did not see their figures decline.

The research showed 6,000 new cases of the condition were discovered but there was a 60 per cent decrease in genital warts cases amongst women under the age of 27.

Vaccination could also have protected a person's sexual partner after it was shown that there was a 30 per cent drop in genital warts in heterosexual men.

“Genital warts are distressing to the patient, as well as being difficult and expensive to treat,” said the head of the Sexual Health Program at NCHECR and the study’s principal investigator, Professor Basil Donovan.

“While we knew from clinical trials that the vaccine was highly effective, Australia is the first country in the world to document a major benefit for the population as a whole,” he said.

STD link to impotency drug users

06/07/2010 09:05:19

Men who take drugs for sexual potency are three times more likely to have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) than those who do not, according to a study in the US.

The results of the Harvard University study is thought to be linked with the nature of the men who use the impotence drugs, rather than the medicines, leading them to have riskier sex.

The health insurance claims of men aged 40 and older who took Eli Lily&Co's Cialis, Bayer AG's Levitra and Pfizer's Viagra were analysed for the study.

Users of the drugs which treat erectile dysfunction appear to be more likely to have unsafe sex than non-users, because the highest rates of infections were seen in the year before and after men began taking the prescription medicines, according to lead study author Anupam Jena.

The author said: "Per sexual encounter, the actual safeness of the sex is probably lower among older folks in the sense that they don't use condoms."

Training to spot domestic violence

05/07/2010 09:45:01

Sexual health workers will be among more than 5,000 NHS staff in Scotland to receive training to identify domestic abuse victims and encourage them to talk about their ordeal, it has been announced.

Substance misuse, mental health workers, midwives, as well as Accident and Emergency staff and health visitors will all receive the training over the next 18 months.

Specialist training packages for staff which highlight best practice and issue national guidance have been introduced by a national NHS domestic abuse team to support health boards.

It will make Scotland the "first country in the UK" to tackle domestic abuse through the NHS to identify and help more victims, according to a Scottish Government spokeswoman..

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "NHS staff should feel well equipped and confident about opening the door for people to talk about domestic abuse.

"This early detection and a sympathetic response will help to protect victims and children and offer them the opportunity to access help and support to get their lives back on track."

NHS trust wins youth appeal award

02/07/2010 14:35:00

A North Tyneside NHS sexual health centre that has made its services more young people friendly has won an award for its work.

The 'You're Welcome' award was given to the North Tyneside Primary Care Trust's (PCT) sexual health centre in recognition of its efforts to improve services for young people.

The service was assessed against a set of quality requirements looking at the general environment of the centre, ease of access and how much young people know about the services that are being offered to them.

The accreditation involved a visit by a group of young people to the service's main base, the One to One Centre in Shiremoor. They interviewed staff from the sexual health service before compiling a report in favour of accreditation.

Dr Helen Mcilveen, clinical lead for sexual health services in North Tyneside said: "Access to good quality sexual health education and services is vital in continuing to drive down the number of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

"By talking to and working with young people we can understand better what they see as barriers to accessing sexual health services and take steps to remove them."

Experiment pill may treat fibroids

30/06/2010 14:35:01

An experimental "morning after" pill could free millions of women in the UK from the misery of fibroids, new research suggests.

The drug, ulipristal acetate (UPA), provides an effective non-surgical treatment for the common womb condition that can lead to pain, heavy periods and infertility, say scientists.

Women taking the contraceptive pill saw their fibroids shrink in volume and experienced a significant reduction in symptoms.

Psychological tests showed that their energy levels, mood and general quality of life all improved. Other evidence confirmed that after stopping the treatment, fertility returned to normal.

Study leader Alicia Armstrong, from the US National Institutes of Health, said: "The results... are convincing and lead us to conclude that UPA is an effective non-invasive treatment for fibroids that can help maintain fertility in women whose only option up to now was to have surgery."

UPA is currently being developed as a novel form of emergency contraception.

Researchers thought it might also work as a fibroid treatment because of its effect on the fertility hormone progesterone.

Progesterone helps to trigger ovulation but recent research has shown it also plays a role in the development of uterine fibroids.

The condition is believed to affect 24 million women in Europe, and as many as one in four British women will suffer from the non-cancerous growths in their lifetime.

Blood test 'can predict menopause'

28/06/2010 09:15:12

Women may be able to find out when they will go through the menopause with a simple blood test, according to a new study.

Researchers at the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Iran found they could predict the age of menopause to within four months.

The test could provide relief to those women who want to know how long they can safely delay starting a family, and also help those at risk of an early menopause.

However, women were warned to be cautious of taking a lifestyle approach to such tests.

"The results from our study could enable us to make a more realistic assessment of women's reproductive status many years before they reach menopause," said study leader Dr Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani.

Most women hit the menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. In the UK the average age for the "change" to occur is 52. However some women experience a premature menopause in their early 40s or even younger.

Around 1% have a menopause under the age of 40, and 0.1% when they are still in their 20s. The chances of having a premature menopause are greatly increased if a close relative experienced one too. Women with a mother or aunt who had the menopause early are known to be at risk.

'No foetal pain' before 24 weeks

25/06/2010 09:05:20

There is no reason to change the current abortion limit because the human foetus cannot feel pain before the age of 24 weeks, health experts have said.

A Government-commissioned report found that it is not until after the official 24-week limit for terminations that nerve connections in the brain are sufficiently formed to allow pain perception.

Even after 24 weeks the foetus is in a state of "continuous sleep-like unconsciousness or sedation", the study carried out by members of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists found.

Hence there may not be any foetal suffering in late abortions, which are permitted for serious abnormalities or risks to the mother's health.

The landmark findings come amid efforts by some MPs - including Prime Minister David Cameron - to lower the abortion limit.

A fresh analysis of evidence for foetal pain was recommended by MPs from the Commons Science and Technology committee during the last parliament.

On the issue of pain perception, the Royal College report concluded: "It was apparent that connections from the periphery to the cortex are not intact before 24 weeks of gestation and, as most neuroscientists believe that the cortex is necessary for pain perception, it can be concluded that the foetus cannot experience pain in any sense prior to this gestation."

Some men suffer from 'menopause'

17/06/2010 14:35:13

The male menopause is no myth and really does afflict some men as they age and suffer a drop in testosterone, scientists have confirmed.

So much for the bad news - the good news for men is that unlike the "change" that sooner or later affects every woman, the male version is rare.

Only 2% of ageing men suffer symptoms that meet the criteria laid down by the experts.

Researchers also found that the male menopause, technically known as late-onset hypogonadism, was often linked to poor health and obesity.

Scientists led by a team from the University of Manchester measured the testosterone levels of 3,369 men aged 40 to 79 from eight European centres.

Only nine of 32 candidate male menopause symptoms were associated in any way with low testosterone levels.

Of these, the most important were three sexual symptoms: fewer morning erections, fewer sexual thoughts - reflecting a reduced sex drive - and impotence.

For a true diagnosis of late-onset hypogonadism, all three sexual symptoms had to be present together with testosterone readings below a threshold limit of 11 nanomoles per litre of blood, the researchers concluded.

Study leader Professor Fred Wu said: "Our findings have for the first time identified the key symptoms of late-onset hypogonadism and suggest that testosterone treatment may only be useful in a relatively small number of cases where androgen (male hormone) deficiency is suspected, since many candidate symptoms of classic hypogonadism were not associated with decreased testosterone levels in older men."

Call for sex ed for five year olds

17/06/2010 09:05:12

A health watchdog has said that children as young as five should be given lessons in sex and relationships.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) said good quality classes on sex, relationships and alcohol help youngsters resist peer pressure in later life, and make them understand the risks and consequences better.

The watchdog said around two-thirds of young people currently rate the sex eduction in their school as either poor or very poor.

And in a document laying out proposed measures it said sex and relationship education can be "more effective if it is introduced before young people first have sex".

It calls for youngsters to be given lessons which are "factually accurate, unbiased and non-judgmental", tailored to each age group, and take into account "cultural, faith and family" issues.

It means primary school pupils could start by learning about friendships and respecting others, the guidance says.

Plans for a new compulsory sex and relationships curriculum were contained in an education Bill put forward by Labour under the last Government.

But the proposals, which would have seen pupils taught about contraception and the importance of stable relationships, including civil partnerships, among other topics, were dropped from the Bill shortly after the general election was called following opposition from the Tories.

Nice's draft guidance says that pupils should receive sex education classes throughout their school careers - from primary school to early adulthood.

Weight linked to pregnancy rates

16/06/2010 09:05:15

Single women who are obese have a higher chance of an unplanned pregnancy than those who are normal weight, new research has claimed.

The study, led by the Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale in France, found that the rate of unplanned pregnancies among obese women was four times higher than among normal weight counterparts, despite heavier females being less likely to have been sexually active.

Researchers led by Professor Nathalie Bajos carried out the first major study into the effects of being overweight or obese on sexual health and outcomes like abortion, satisfaction and unintended pregnancy.

It found that obese women under 30 were less likely to get advice on contraception or use oral contraceptives, and were also more likely to report an unintended pregnancy. They were also 30% less likely to have been sexually active in the past year.

Obese men were also reported to have fewer sexual partners and were more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction and develop sexually transmitted infections than normal weight men.

Chlamydia test numbers show rise

15/06/2010 09:05:07

The number of people under the age of 25 being tested for the sexually transmitted infection Chlamydia has jumped by almost half in a year, new figures have shown.

New Health Protection Agency (HPA) statistics have revealed that 1.5 million screening programme and other community-based tests (outside of genitourinary medicine clinics) were carried out in 2009/10 as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, a rise of 44% on the previous year.

There was an increase of more than 6% on the proportion of people eligible who took testing - up from 23.7% in 2008/09 to 29.9% in 2009/10. HPA officials said most of the upsurge can be attributed to the national screening programme.

The number of young people who were examined at genitourinary medicine clinics in 2009/10 fell but this has been put down to easier access for testing in community settings.

Community-based testing detected 90,700 infections in young adults in 2009/10, an increase of 10,200 on the previous year.

Recession drives down birth rate

27/05/2010 09:05:15

The recession may have been behind an uncharacteristic fall in the birth rate in England and Wales last year, research has suggested.

In 2009, there were 706,248 live births - down from 708,711 in 2008, indicating that the negative effects of the economic downturn resulted in couples putting off having children as finances became stretched.

The comprehensive data gathered by the Office for National Statistics (OFT) also found that the number of babies born to older mothers continued to rise.

Some 26,976 babies were born to women aged 40 and over last year, double the number witnessed in 1999 and treble the number born in 1989.

Siobhan Freegard, founder of Netmums, the parents' networking website, said the figures mirrored the findings of a poll conducted for the site which found that 10% of women had decided to postpone having a baby as the economic downturn tightened its grip, with those from middle income families appearing to be most affected by the recession.

The OFT statistics also revealed that:

Among women aged 35 to 39, there were 114,288 births in 2009, a rise of 41% on the 81,281 in 1999.

The average age at which a woman becomes a mother for the first time rose to 29.4 in 2009, compared with 29.3 in 2008 and 28.4 in 1999.

In 2009, women had an average of 1.95 children each, down from 1.97 children in 2008.

Dr Ernestina Coast, senior lecturer in population studies at the London School of Economics, said it was possible that the recession could have a long-term negative effect on fertility in a similar way to the situation witnessed during the Great Depression.

Fewer abortions in 2009 than 2008

26/05/2010 09:05:13

Fewer women in England and Wales underwent abortions in 2009 than in 2008, official figures have shown.

A total of 189,100 abortions took place in 2009, compared with 195,296 in 2008.

There were 17,916 abortions performed on girls under 18, a decrease on 2008's figure of 19,387. Of these, more than 1,000 were on girls aged 14 and under, with under 16s making up nearly 4,000.

The figures also show how many abortions the women who underwent the procedure in 2009 had previously had. Of the 18,100 total, 2,637 had previously had three abortions, 779 had had four, 214 had had five, and 48 had had seven or more.

And 1,341 of the girls under 18 who had had abortions in 2009 had already had at least one in previous years.

There were also fewer terminations carried out on women who did not live in England or Wales, down to 6,643 from 6,862 in 2008.

Women aged 10 to 21 were the most likely to have abortions in 2009, with 33 in every 1,000 undergoing the procedure. This is compared to a rate of 17.5 in every thousand for woman aged 15 to 44.

Overall, 94% of abortions were funded by the NHS, of which 60% were carried out privately under NHS contracts.

Call for morning-after pill access

25/05/2010 09:05:14

The morning-after contraceptive pill should be given to young women to keep at home for occasions when they might need it, a watchdog has said.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) claims doctors, nurses and pharmacies should "ensure all young women are able to obtain free emergency hormonal contraception, including advance provision".

Nice is attempting to increase awareness of the contraceptive options available and is, in particular, targeting the under-25s.

The watchdog believes pharmacies should be the first port of call to obtain the drug, but it also hopes access to all types of contraception will improve.

And staff are also told to encourage young women to discuss their contraceptive needs, and offer them a range of choices, including long-acting contraceptives such as jabs.

Young women should be "advised that emergency contraception is more effective the sooner it is used" while an intrauterine device is more effective in an emergency but can also be used long-term, Nice said.

Young women should also be "given information about the limitations of emergency hormonal contraception as a primary method".

The guidance says all sexual health bodies which provide contraception should endeavour to offer young people a full range, at convenient opening times.

Nice also said young men and women should also be able to access contraception, including condoms "in a range of types and sizes", at convenient locations, such as schools and youth clubs.

STI 'testival' for Oxford students

24/05/2010 09:05:17

A sexual health charity has called on students in Oxford to take advantage of the 'fastest' STI clinic in the UK in a bid to reduce STI diagnoses in the area.

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has set up the 'STI Testival', which will provide HIV test results within 15 minutes and test results for other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea within a week. Those who test positive will be fast-tracked for treatment or given a course of antibiotics.

Joshua Hall, centre manager for THT in Oxford, said the Pembroke Street clinic - opening on Thursday May 27 - was part of wider efforts to drive down undiagnosed STIs within the 16-24 age bracket, which accounts for nearly half of all STI cases in the UK.

"We know tests are an unavoidable part of student life, but checking for STIs doesn't need any revision and is a great way to achieve piece of mind," Mr Hall said.

"We're determined to get rates of undiagnosed STIs down so people aren't putting themselves at risk of long-term health problems. We want to make sure young people know that - where good sexual health is concerned - going for regular check-ups is just as important as using condoms."

THT said free confidential advice, treatment and contraception will also be available to those seeking help at the clinic.

Students choose contraceptive pill

21/05/2010 09:15:10

A study has found that 80% of female university students in the US prefer to use pre-planned contraceptive methods such as the pill that are not administered at the time of sexual activity.

The oral contraceptive was the most popular non-coital dependant method of contraception, while using condoms was the most common coital-dependant method.

The survey also found those using non-coital dependant contraception such as the pill were more likely to be satisfied with their method, but it also raised questions about the spread of sexually transmitted infections - best stopped by using condoms - as less than 20% of women said they use the sheath method.

Jennifer Ersek and colleagues at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, investigated the association between contraceptive use, satisfaction with the method, and discontinuation, in a group of 172 university students.

She said: "These relationships are likely to have an impact on unintended pregnancy rates, which are among the highest in women of university or college age."

Participants answered a questionnaire on their method of contraception, whether they liked the method, and what their last method of contraception was, to indicate discontinuation.

Women who used non-coital dependent methods were twice as satisfied with their method compared with coital dependent users, and after adjustment for potential confounding factors including age and race, this association remained significant.

Furthermore, women who used non-coital dependent methods of contraception were 91% less likely to have discontinued their method compared with women who used coital dependent methods.

Fury over banned abortion advert

21/05/2010 09:05:32

The charity behind a television advertisement for abortion services has criticised laws preventing its broadcast in Northern Ireland.

Millions of people were able to watch the promotion when it was shown on Channel 4 on Thursday night.

But the broadcaster was banned from screening the advert in Northern Ireland because abortion is illegal in the province.

Marie Stopes, the charity responsible for the promotion, said it was disappointed with the decision.

"It's a shame that we are not allowed to screen the commercial in Northern Ireland - abortion continues to be severely restricted there and women are forced to travel to England for abortion services," said Marie Stopes International CEO Dana Hovig.

The Family Planning Association, meanwhile, claimed the ban was another example of how Northern Irish women were "treated differently" to others in the UK, adding it highlighted the need to "decriminalise" the procedure in the province.

But religious leaders expressed satisfaction at the move.

Canon Ian Ellis, editor of The Church Of Ireland Gazette said: "I welcome the withdrawal. However, I am dismayed that such an advertisement can be permitted in the rest of the UK.

"To allow abortion providers to advertise on television is wholly inappropriate because it suggests that to choose an abortion is like choosing any other service or product."

Around 1,800 women travelled to England from Northern Ireland for an abortion in 2008, Marie Stopes estimates.

First UK TV abortion ad to be aired

20/05/2010 10:05:15

The first UK television commercial for abortion services will be screened next week, it has been announced.

The ad for unplanned pregnancy and abortion advice at Marie Stopes clinics will "confront the taboo" and raise awareness of sexual health, the organisation said.

The campaign will air for the first time on Channel 4 on Monday 24th at 10.10pm, until the end of June.

It follows a study that found fewer than half (42%) of UK adults knew where to go for specialist advice about an unplanned pregnancy other than their GP.

The survey also found that 76% of adults believed commercials for services offering advice on unplanned pregnancy should be allowed on television at appropriate times.

The ad asks "Are you late?" in reference to a woman who has missed her period and directs those facing an unplanned pregnancy to Marie Stopes International's 24-hour helpline.

In 2008 a total of 195,300 abortions were performed on women living in England and Wales and 91% were funded by the NHS.

Some 90% of abortions were carried out at under 13 weeks gestation, while 73% were under 10 weeks.

Around 80% of the 65,000 abortions provided by Marie Stopes in 2009 were carried out free on the NHS, with 20% being paid for privately.

Marie Stopes International chief executive Dana Hovig said: "Last year alone we received 350,000 calls to our 24-hour helpline. Clearly there are hundreds of thousands of women who want and need sexual health information and advice and access to services.

"We hope the new Are you late? campaign will encourage people to talk about their choices, including abortion, more openly and honestly, and empower women to reach confident, informed decisions about their sexual health."

Smallpox vaccine 'slowed Aids'

19/05/2010 14:35:00

Vaccinations for smallpox that were phased out during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, as the disease was eradicated, could have helped to slow the spread of HIV and Aids, experts have discovered.

Tests show the vaccine appears to have a well-developed ability to inhibit the Aids virus, which could have given protection to people in the early days of the HIV epidemic.

But ending the smallpox vaccination programme may have contributed to the explosive spread of HIV/Aids that followed in the 1980s and beyond, with rates of HIV infection increasing exponentially around the world since that time.

Scientists in the US studied white blood cells taken from people recently immunised with the smallpox vaccine, vaccinia.

They found that immunisation led to a five-fold reduction in the ability of HIV to replicate in the cells.

Dr Raymond Weinstein, from George Mason University in Mannasas, Virginia, US, said: "There have been several proposed explanations for the rapid spread of HIV in Africa, including wars, the reuse of unsterilised needles and the contamination of early batches of polio vaccine. However, all of these have been either disproved or do not sufficiently explain the behaviour of the HIV pandemic.

"Our finding that prior immunisation with vaccinia virus may provide an individual with some degree of protection to subsequent HIV infection suggests that the withdrawal of such vaccination may be a partial explanation."

The research was published in the journal BMC Immunology.

Female soldiers told to use condoms

18/05/2010 09:05:14

More than 100 British servicewomen on the frontline in Iraq and Afghanistan have been sent home over a six-year period after falling pregnant, figures have revealed.

Despite the Ministry of Defence saying it "does not encourage" sexual relationships in theatre, a new advert in the Army's official magazine tells female soldiers to carry condoms while on the frontline.

Adverts published in the magazine Soldier show chat-up lines displayed above a row of red lipsticks with text warning that "on deployment, there'll be 50 blokes to each woman".

Female staff have been urged to use protection or risk "facing something you really don't want to hear".

Expectant mothers are not allowed to serve on the frontline, according to Army rules, so female soldiers are flown home if they fall pregnant.

Figures released in response to a Freedom of Information request showed that between January 2003 and February 2009, at least 102 British servicewomen were sent home from Iraq because they were expecting babies.

In Afghanistan the figure was 31 for the same period.

There are currently around 8,500 British troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, including 700 women.

An MoD spokesman said: "The MoD does not encourage sexual relationships in theatre.

"Personnel receive sexual health education and have access to first-class medical care should they require it.

"All personnel are expected to behave in accordance with the Armed Forces values and standards at all times."

Men only sexual health clinic opens

17/05/2010 14:35:00

Gay and bisexual men in Sheffield are being offered a new health drop-in service where they can receive tests for sexually transmitted diseases.

The new MOT (Men Only Testing) scheme is being run by the Sheffield Contraception and Sexual Health Service. Tests and vaccinations for hepatitis B are provided at the Sheffield Contraception and Sexual Health Service, in Mulberry Street, city centre, which prides itself on providing a safe and confidential space for gay and bisexual men.

Men will be able to get advice and information about sexual health from trained nurses and health promotion staff. Free condoms will also be handed out as part of the service.

Ann Burke, from the service, said: "This is a new and exciting service for gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men in Sheffield.

"It is important for men of all ages to have regular tests for sexually transmitted infections.

"However we see fewer men in our sexual health clinics, in particular men who have sex with men.

"The new drop-in service will provide an opportunity for them to have tests and get advice in a private and comfortable setting."

The clinic is every Wednesday between 4pm and 6.30pm.

Text message targets binge drinking

13/05/2010 09:05:16

A text messaging campaign targeting binge drinking and drink-fuelled sexual assaults has been rolled out in Scotland.

The campaign will encourage a select group of "hazardous" drinkers to "take it easy" before they embark on a night out as well as warning them of the risks of being sexually assaulted while drunk.

Researchers from NHS Grampian will lead the year-long study which will see a sample group of 1,000 volunteers targeted in various ways before a night out.

One group will receive advice leaflets, another group will receive one-on-one sessions with health professionals and the final group will receive text messages every Friday before a night out.

Dr Steve Baguley, sexual health specialist at the Aberdeen's Woolmanhill Hospital, who is heading the Scottish Government study, said: "Binge drinking is very common among people who come to sexual health clinics and we found in one study that 50 per cent were hazardous drinkers."

The text message warning tactic has been used for previous campaigns targeting smoking and poor lifestyle, for which it has proven effective.

The text message reads: "If you're drinking this weekend, take it easy. You're more likely to be sexually assaulted if you're drunk. Alcohol provokes the desire but takes away the performance."

World Cup fans warned on STI danger

12/05/2010 09:05:11

A charity has warned that football supporters risk picking up sexually transmitted infections during the World Cup if they drink too much alcohol.

The Terrence Higgins Trust found in a poll that about 10% of 18 to 34-year-old fans drink so much while watching a game that they do not know what they are doing afterwards.

Fans travelling to South Africa for the tournament have been advised to take condoms as the country has the biggest rate of HIV and Aids in the world.

The "Scoring without getting an own goal" guide produced by the charity contains advice for any fans who take part in "post-match action".

Charity spokeswoman Genevieve Edwards said: "If people are getting so drunk they can't remember what they did the night before, it's more than likely protected sex and condoms won't have been top of their priority list.

"This is really worrying in relation to the World Cup this year, with thousands of people gathering in both the UK and South Africa to watch the tournament enjoying a holiday atmosphere, having a lot to drink and potentially putting themselves at huge risk of sexually-transmitted infections and HIV if they are forgetting about protected sex."

Student adviser praised by trust

10/05/2010 14:35:00

Solihull NHS Care Trust has praised a student welfare adviser for her work in promoting safe sex among the youth community.

Julie Maitland has provided support for more than 500 pupils in her post at Solihull Sixth Form College.

Moo Moo Youth Marketing, on behalf of the care trust, have given special recognition to Ms Maitland for her efforts.

As well as getting across the safe sex message, she also gives advice on a number of issues, including anxiety, eating disorders, exam stress and relationships.

She said: "I'm delighted to have had this recognition. I love my job and get a great sense of satisfaction in helping the students in any way I can."

Make HIV tests routine - consultant

10/05/2010 09:05:16

Patients should be routinely tested for HIV in hospitals in a bid to combat the rising rates of the sex infection, a leading Birmingham consultant has said.

Heartlands Hospital HIV Service's leading specialist Dr John Watson made the call after three reports exposed a "lottery" of testing in hospitals.

The reports found one in three sufferers are unaware they have the disease. Most patient accept the offer to take a test, but nurses and medics are often embarrassed to ask patients. Dr Watson believes blanket testing would result in early diagnosis of HIV and reduce the danger of them accidentally infecting others.

"We appreciate that asking someone to take a HIV test can be awkward, but it really can save lives," said Dr Watson. "With HIV in the West Midlands on the rise, it is very important people know the earlier they are tested and diagnosed, the more effective the treatment. A brief chat to the patient advising them it's one of the routine tests done when presenting with a range of conditions is all that is needed.

"Treatment is now so advanced that people with HIV who are diagnosed early can still lead a long, healthy life."

Chlamydia-induced arthritis treated

05/05/2010 14:35:08

A combination of antibiotics has been found to successfully treat arthritis caused by chlamydia, raising hopes of a cure.

A clinical trial in the US could represent a major step forward in the treatment of reactive arthritis, or Reiter's syndrome, which is as widespread as rheumatoid arthritis in the UK.

The study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and carried out by the University of South Florida College of Medicine, used a prolonged course of a combination of antibiotics.

The drugs attack two different pathways that allow Chlamydia infection to persist in the joints.

"Our findings lend hope that eradication of this persistent infection is attainable and a possible cure exists," said John Carter, an associate professor of medicine.

The autoimmune disorder develops in response to an infection elsewhere in the body and is most commonly caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria - usually spread through sexual contact - or Chlamydia pneumoniae, which can spark a respiratory infection.

A total of 42 patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups - and given rifampin plus doxycycline, rifampin plus azithromycin, or placebo.

Those receiving the combination antibiotics experienced reduced swelling and tenderness of joints and other symptoms.

Sex education changes are 'urgent'

30/04/2010 09:05:27

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has called for "urgent" improvements to help teachers feel more confident about delivering sex education lessons.

After a survey found four out of five teachers (80%) did not feel confident about the subject, the association called for improved training and better resources.

Discussing sex education, Sion Humphreys, from the NAHT's education management department, explained: "Teachers have not been adequately trained to deliver it and have not had access to the range of resources they need.

"This is an urgent need that must be addressed if we are to be able to prepare young people for their future lives."

The survey, carried out by the NAHT, the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) and the National Governors Association (NGA) found that teachers, governors and parents all believed it was important that schoolchildren in England received lessons on sex and relationships.

Some 84% of school leaders said that the main barrier to providing effective sex education was young people's embarrassment about asking questions, but a lack of training and confidence to address the subject was ranked a close second.

HPV screening 'superior to smears'

28/04/2010 09:05:11

Women over 30 could have more efficient and less frequent cervical cancer checks if doctors switched from using smear tests to employing potentially more accurate human papillomavirus (HPV) tests, experts have said.

Research into different screening methods found normal smear tests were less effective than HPV tests at finding serious abnormalities and early signs of cervical cancer in women over 30, according to a study.

Two smear test samples were taken from 11,000 UK women, with one sent for HPV testing and the other for conventional cytology tests, which involves analysing cervical cells.

Results published in the British Journal of Cancer showed HPV negative women had a lower rate of developing pre-cancerous cells for a minimum of six years, compared with women with negative cytology results.

"Using HPV testing as the primary screening method for cervical cancer would not only mean women could be screened less often but it would also mean efficiency savings," said researcher Jack Cuzick, a professor of epidemiology at Queen Mary, University of London.

There are more than 100 types of HPV, some of which can lead to genital warts or cancer.

Currently, women in the UK have cytology tests every three years between the ages of 30 and 50, then every five years after that.

School trip in tour of STD clinic

27/04/2010 09:05:11

Pupils from Great Yarmouth have bucked the school trip trend of visiting a museum or nature reserve in favour of a tour of an NHS sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic.

The Bure Clinic at James Paget University Hospital, Gorleston welcomed teenage girls from one local high school, who were given a chance to inspect the facilities and ask questions.

Charity GFS Platform, which works to improve life opportunities for young women, organised the trip as part of its sexual health peers educators scheme, which saw young women speaking to schoolchildren about teenage pregnancy and parenthood.

Sally Rozier, GFS Platform's strategy and development manager in Yarmouth, said: "It allows them to experience how it feels to walk through the doors of a sexual health clinic to learn about the confidential services it provides."

Naomi Palmer, acting head at Gorleston's Oriel High School, said: "It is imperative that students nationwide are able to access as much accurate information regarding sexually transmitted infections as possible, without feeling embarrassed or intimidated. Any service which focuses on demystifying them as to the consequences of unprotected sex is invaluable. "

However, Margaret Morrissey, founder of pressure group Parents Outloud, insisted information given to teenagers about sex "needs to be in the context of a loving relationship".

HIV in UK 'diagnosed too late'

23/04/2010 14:35:00

Sexual health experts have warned that people in the UK who have HIV are being diagnosed too late and could be passing the infection on to others for as long as 10 years.

Testing should be made routine in areas where HIV prevalence is high, according to the experts. Delays in diagnosing the infection increases the possibility of onward transmission - spreading it quicker and further raising the number of deaths. HIV rates in the UK are rising steadily.

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV president Dr Keith Radcliffe said: "It is in the interest of everyone for local health authorities and healthcare professionals to take a real stance on this issue."

People with HIV are most infectious during seroconversion, when antibodies to the virus are produced, but this also serves as a chance for HIV to be diagnosed early.

London-based HIV consultant Dr Mark Pakianathan, who believes GPs and A&E staff may not realise conditions could be HIV or would not want to suggest a test, said: "They think it can't be HIV - it must be something else," said Pakianathan. An opportunity could be lost for 10 years."

Premature survival rate 'no better'

23/04/2010 09:05:16

Survival rates for very premature babies in the UK have not improved for the last 15 years, a study has claimed.

Researchers at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne said that while babies born before the existing abortion limit of 24 weeks were living slightly longer - from 11.7 hours in 1993 to 3.7 days in 2007 - the vast majority still died.

Report co-author Dr Nicholas Embleton said: "Overall survival has not changed, but non survivors endured significantly longer durations of intensive care."

The investigation, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, directly contradicts claims by pro-life groups that the cut-off point for terminations should be lowered to reflect developments in medical technology.

Rebecca Findlay, spokeswoman for the sexual health charity FPA, said: "This research shows again that sadly, the chance of babies born under 24 weeks surviving is very small so this shouldn't be used as justification for reducing the (abortion) time limit."

New sex advice show for teenagers

22/04/2010 09:05:10

Teenagers are to have their own sex advice show which will be screened on Channel 4.

The show has been developed by the original commissioner of The Sex Education Show, Walter Iuzzolino. It is the first major piece of work he has undertaken since he joined Betty TV as creative director earlier this year. The working title of the show is Sex Talk for Teens.

Any concerns teenagers have about their sex lives can be aired on the show and the producers are asking people aged between 16 and 20 years old to share their experiences and get professional advice.

Currently C4 has shows The Sex Education Show and Embarrassing Bodies which are aired at peaktime dedicated to frank health and sexual advice, and Sex Talk for Teens will join this stable.

Iuzzolino said: "The programme is a window into a crucial aspect of young people's lives.

"Its core public service purpose is to allow teenagers to share their experiences and get professional advice about any concerns they may have about their sex and love lives - and to offer to parents a revealing insight into young people's behaviour and give them tools to deal with issues that might affect their own family unit."

Aberdeen sexual health clinic opens

21/04/2010 14:35:00

A sexual health charity is to set up a new clinic in Aberdeen offering free and confidential advice.

The Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland (THT) will offer testing for HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis, and fast track treatment for those who test positive.

Advice, information and counselling will also be available both before and after any tests.

The new centre will test for HIV using a finger-prick blood test, with instant analysis of samples, and provide results within an hour.

The THT will also offer testing for range of other sexual diseases including gonorrhoea, with antibiotics provided for those who positive. The clinic will provide blood testing for syphilis and hepatitis b. General advice on sexual health, including providing condoms will be available for those using the clinic.

Jason Warriner, Clinical Director for THT said: "Where good sexual health is concerned, going for regular check-ups is just as important as using condoms. Our service is a one-stop shop for sexual health, and I hope this will encourage many more people to come forward for testing."

Contraceptive implant figures soar

21/04/2010 09:05:08

New figures have revealed a significant increase in the number of young women choosing to have contraceptive implants in Leicester over recent months.

The rise has been attributed to the fact it is now easier for young women to get advice on sexual health and contraception.

Leicester City community health services now employs a trained nurse to make sure the Choices service is more widely available.

Previously, one GP was able to fit and remove the contraceptive, at one surgery.

Women up to the age of 24 can now get help and advice at more than 16 clinics across Leicester, whereas in the past only one GP could fit and remove the contraceptive.

Health workers are hoping it will help reduce the number of teenage pregnancies in the city, with figures published earlier this year indicating the lowest rate for 10 years.

Jo Fores, senior nurse with Choices, said: "In the past, we have often had to refer young people to have an implant fitted whereas now, in some cases, it can be done straight away.

"It means our up-take numbers have rocketed to 30 since November.

"This compares with just nine in the 10 months before that."

Kiosk hands out condoms to shoppers

20/04/2010 09:05:20

Shoppers in Hull will be able to pick up free Chlamydia testing kits and condoms at a shopping centre kiosk.

The machine - in the St Stephen's Mall in Ferensway - scans the fingerprints of registered users.

The booth, which also gives out sexual health advice, can be used up to three times a week by those who have registered.

The kiosk will be placed in a "discreet" area of the shopping centre, according to a spokeswoman for the City Health Care Partnership (CHCP).

A registration event is to be held at St Stephen's from Tuesday until Thursday.

Jane Wilson, Head of Service at the CHCP, said: "There are many benefits to using these kiosks.

"People can get quick and confidential access to condoms and Chlamydia testing kits, this avoids queuing at clinics, waiting for appointments and for those in education or full-time work they will be able to access the kiosks outside office hours."

Data shows abortion clinic requests

16/04/2010 09:05:14

New data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act has revealed four health trusts in England have requested licences to carry out early abortions in GP surgeries.

Medical newspaper GP reported that two abortion clinics are already up and running, while 11 more licence requests have been submitted.

The findings were based on responses from 114 primary care trusts across England.

The British Pegnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), which runs some of the abortion clinics, also provided data.

Early stage abortions involve two trips to a clinic within a short space of time. The woman is given pills which induce a miscarriage.

Previous research by GP suggested six PCTs were considering or had applied for licences to provide early abortions.

BPAS has services in GP practices in Wolverhampton and Newcastle under contracts with primary care trusts (PCTs), and has applied to run a service in Basingstoke.

Each year, the charity provides around 13,000 early medical abortions under nine weeks' gestation.

Marie Stopes International said it would welcome any move which increased women's choice.

"However, there would need to be agreement from all GPs working in a practice for such a service to work especially with regard to routine follow up plus advice and treatment in the small number of complications that may occur," senior medical advisor Dr Asma Khalid said.

Teenage sex campaign relaunched

15/04/2010 09:05:08

A campaign to tackle Nottingham's teenage pregnancy rate has been relaunched in a bid to remind people of its work.

The KISS (Knowledge and Information on Sexual Health and Sexuality) scheme provides young people with advice on contraception and sexual health.

It also runs a free chlamydia testing service for people aged 13 to 24.

It works with teenagers and young adults in the Clifton area to provide an accessible primary care service within a wider youth advice and resource centre.

Socially excluded youngsters are a priority for the scheme which has developed peer education approaches and methods throughout its 10-year history.

The social capital of the young people involved in the project is also evaluated.

New sex education scheme launched

14/04/2010 09:05:07

A new scheme has been launched in Scotland whereby teenagers can give sex education lessons to younger children.

The scheme in Dundee, where teenage pregnancy rates are the highest in Europe, will see teenagers talk to youngsters about puberty, contraception and where to get advice on gay issues.

Other issues up for discussion are basic facts about relationships, body changes and periods.

Teenagers from two secondary schools will receive 20 hours of training before delivering the teacher-supervised sessions.

Pete Glen, project manager of the controversial new scheme, said it has "huge potential".

He said: "This is a challenging age group as there is a lot going on, but I have been impressed with how they have been up for the challenge."

But some observers have criticised the £45,000-a-year scheme saying it places too much responsibility on the teenagers involved.

Norman Wells, director of the Family Education Trust said the scheme places "far too much responsibility on young shoulders".

A spokeswoman for Mike Russell, the country's education minister, said the format of lessons on issues surrounding sexual health, relationships and parenthood should be developed by schools and local authorities.

More frequent Chlamydia tests urged

09/04/2010 09:05:18

Every time a woman has a new sexual partner she should get herself tested for chlamydia even if her previous test was just a few months previous, researchers have said.

Screening alone is unlikely to reduce a woman's chances of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, which can be caused by chlamydia and which can leave women infertile.

A study was carried out at hospitals in London on 2,529 sexually active female students from 20 universities and colleges around the city. The participants were aged 21 on average.

Each sample was either checked immediately or stored away and tested a year later. Those immediately checked samples found to have the chlamydia infection were treated. Every sample was also compared with the number of participants who ended up with pelvic inflammatory disease during the following 12 months.

A total of 68 (5.4%) out of 1,254 women screened straight away were found to have chlamydia and 75 (5.9%) of the 1,265 tested after a year were found to have the infection. Fifteen (1.3%) of the immediately screened women developed the pelvic disease, as did 23 (1.9%) of the participants who were checked a year later.

The results of the study seemed to show that women treated for chlamydia had an 80% less chance of developing pelvic inflammatory disease.

The effectiveness of a single chlamydia test in preventing pelvic inflammatory disease over 12 months may have previously been overestimated, said the researchers.

Cameron backs abortion limit change

08/04/2010 09:05:09

Conservative Party leader David Cameron has called for the time limit for abortions to be cut to "20 or 22 weeks".

The House of Commons voted in 2008 to keep the existing maximum of 24 weeks, when Mr Cameron had lobbied for a cut to 22 weeks.

But in an interview with the Catholic Herald newspaper, he indicated that he might be willing to go further and said a new review was now needed.

"My view is that we do need to review the abortion limit. I think the way medical science and technology have developed in the past few decades does mean that an upper limit of 20 or 22 weeks would be sensible," he said.

He indicated that Conservative MPs would be allowed a free vote on the question, as is normal with issues of conscience.

Mr Cameron also warned against legalising assisted suicide, saying: "My personal view is that if assisted dying is legalised, there is a danger that terminally ill people may feel pressurised into ending their lives if they feel they've become a burden on loved ones."

Contraception advert restricted

07/04/2010 09:05:08

A radio advert featuring two women discussing the Pill and an IUS (intra-uterine system), along with a young couple talking about an implant, has been banned from being broadcast when under-16s are likely to be listening.

The Department of Health advert ends with a voice-over saying: "Talk to a doctor or nurse to find the contraception that's right for you. Search online for Worth-Talking-About-Contraception."

The timing of the advert had been challenged by a listener who heard it during a school run. The challenge questioned whether it was suitable for broadcast when a large number of children would be tuning in.

Although the advert met Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC) approval, the body advised it was scheduled away from breakfast and drivetime, when under-16s were likely to be listening. But Global Radio said drivetime was considered to be between 4pm and 7pm and the advert was broadcast at 3.58pm.

They acknowledged there may have been a number of children listening between 3pm and 4pm and said that the ad should have been excluded from airtime for an hour longer than it was.

Chlamydia risk higher among men

06/04/2010 09:05:11

Men who opt to take a chlamydia test have been found to be twice as likely to carry the infection as women.

In research conducted by Lloydspharmacy, 13% of the men who bought chlamydia tests from their online doctor service tested positive for the sexually transmitted infection (STI), while only 6% of female customers were found to be afflicted.

The study of 3,000 people also showed that around 28% of men had been examined for sexually transmitted infections compared with 38% of women.

One of the most common STIs, chlamydia can lead to fertility problems if left untreated.

Around 13% of men also told the survey they had had unprotected sex with more than one person over the past five years, while only 7% women reported the same.

The results indicate that men wait for symptoms of an infection to appear before getting themselves tested, Clare Kerr, Lloydspharmacy's head of sexual health, said.

"This is particularly worrying as many STIs don't have any obvious symptoms, so men could be putting both themselves and their partners at risk by delaying tests," she said.

She hopes that "removing the need to see a GP or visit a GUM (genitourinary medicine) clinic will encourage men to test regularly".

Condoms 'attractive short-term fix'

01/04/2010 09:05:09

A Catholic leader has described arguments backing condom distribution in poor countries as "attractive".

The comments by the Archbishop of Westminster may hint at a softening of the Catholic Church's stance on contraception.

But the Most Rev Vincent Nichols said religion must focus on issues like poverty and security in developing countries and not the debate on condom distribution.

Catholic teaching rules out use of artificial contraception but allows for "natural" birth control.

The Archbishop told BBC Radio West Midlands in a wide-ranging interview that he could see "why" the arguments in favour of condoms to protect women in poor countries were, in the short term, "attractive".

"I don't think it's the Church's role simply to add its voice to that but rather, in contrast, to keep saying: 'If we solve the poverty then consistently we know that the birth rate comes down, if we provide people with security then consistently birth rates will come down.'

"They are the radical issues that we should be addressing and not short-term intrusive fixes."

He was speaking in an interview with Steve Dyson.

The Archbishop's remarks come after Pope Benedict XVI faced a storm of protest last year when he rejected condom use in the fight against Aids en route to his first Papal visit to Africa.

'Sexual health should be discussed'

31/03/2010 14:45:00

A sexual health awareness website in the US has launched a new campaign aimed at drawing attention to the problem affecting an ever increasing amount of the population.

ShouldIGetSTDTested.com is urging people to discuss sexual health problems with their partners, and consider getting tested.

As part of the campaign, anyone who orders up to eight of the most common tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) between April 1-6, will entitle their partner to the tests free of charge.

The website, along with partner site STDUniversity.org, provides the user with information on which type of STD test is best suited to them and their partner.

The information was put together by a combination of academic and medical experts.

The recommendations include screening guidelines from authorities including the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The assessment delivers a personalised test recommendation for the most common and prevalent STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Lynn Barclay, president of the American Social Health Association said: "Determining one's risk for infection is extremely important, as most cases of STDs are unrecognised and undiagnosed."

And she urged partners should have open, frank discussions before having sex.

She said: "Sexual health is important . We all have a responsibility to protect it."

Pill fights recurring ovarian cysts

31/03/2010 09:05:06

Women who take the Pill could be protected against ovarian cysts, a new study has suggested.

A trial published in Fertility and Sterility provides evidence that the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) cuts the recurrence of endometriomas after removal by surgery.

Removing what are often called 'chocolate' cysts - for the brown liquid they contain - is a simple operation, but complications or pain can occur as they can easily reform.

The trial involved 239 patients who had just undergone the surgery, and who were then tracked for up to two years. Some were given no treatment, some took cyclic versions of the Pill and some took continuous versions.

Women who took the Pill significantly suffered fewer cyst recurrences, and long-term treatment seemed to be key.

In an evaluation of the study, Neil Johnson and Shelley Reilly from Auckland, New Zealand, conclude: "This study is perhaps the only randomised controlled trial that has evaluated the effectiveness of the use of long-term postoperative OCP treatment to prevent endometrioma recurrence."

"The length of treatment appears to play an important role in the efficacy of therapy," they add.

Gonorrhoea feared as next superbug

30/03/2010 09:05:09

New methods need to be found to treat gonorrhoea before it becomes a "superbug", experts have said.

The common sexually transmitted disease can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy if left untreated.

A World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting in Manila will address efforts to stop the bug resisting drugs.

"This is a very clever bacteria. If this problem isn't addressed, there is a real possibility that gonorrhoea will become a very difficult infection to treat," Catherine Ison, from the Health Protection Agency told Reuters.

There are at least 340 million new cases of curable sexually transmitted infections every year among 15 to 49-year-olds, including gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and trichomoniasis.

According to Ms Ison, a specialist on gonorrhoea, the worst areas for the infection globally are south and south-east Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Most countries use a single antibiotic dose of either cefixime or ceftriaxone to treat it, but there are signs of resistance - especially to cefixime - so alternatives need to be found.

Campaign helps lower pregnancy rate

29/03/2010 15:25:00

An education campaign designed to teach teenagers about healthy relationships has helped reduce the level of teenage pregnancies in Haringey.

According to the Department for Children, Schools and Families, figures have shown a 25.8% drop between 2007/08 on the previous year which saw 248 girls fall pregnant aged between 15 and 17.

The borough previously had one of the highest rates nationwide and in 2009 a Care Quality Commission report said it was one of NHS Haringey's main failings.

The significant fall has been attributed to the regular campaign work which targets at-risk groups.

It is funded by the Government's Youth Crime Action Plan and provides young people with weekend activities and safe places to go.

In August 2009 a group of youngsters from the Northumberland Park Estate took part in the course where they were encouraged to talk about sexual health.

They also learnt how to improve their respect and understanding for each other by switching gender roles.

The estate has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the borough.

Pharmacies to offer chlamydia test

29/03/2010 09:05:09

Local pharmacies in the area within Solihull NHS Care Trust will offer greater access to chlamydia testing, it has been revealed.

The move is part of the trust's bid to encourage young people aged 16-24 to take more responsibility for their own health.

Research shows that one in 10 sexually active young people have the disease, which if left untreated can cause serious health consequences.

People who have chlamydia can remain unaware they have the disease as it often shows no symptoms.

Now, local pharmacies are offering a test that can be done in private.

A trust spokesman said: "Just ask at the pharmacy counter to talk in the private consultation room, no need to say why. The test is confidential and only you will be contacted with the result and offered antibiotics if needed."

Simon Walker, teenage pregnancy and sexual health co-ordinator said: "It is recommended that all young people aged 16-24 should have a chlamydia test at least once a year and with every new partner.

"National figures reveal more than 3,000 young people are already accepting a test every day - so if you're aged 16-24 'say yes to a test'."

As well as at local pharmacies, chlamydia testing is available in GP surgeries, colleges, youth centres, and contraception and health clinics across the Solihull region.

Home-based STI testing 'popular'

26/03/2010 14:35:06

Three-quarters of women in the US prefer to take chlamydia or gonorrhoea tests at home and send the sample off for analysis, research has revealed.

A study published in Obstetrics & Gynaecology found that the idea of attending a clinic for an exam was not popular, with just 16% saying they would prefer to attend a surgery and 8% claiming they would feel comfortable talking about the issue with their doctor.

Women testing at home were also found to be more likely to complete the test than those who went elsewhere.

The study, carried out by Jeffrey Peipert of Washington University in St. Louis, polled 462 women as part of the institution's Contraceptive Choice Project.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend than sexually active women are tested for STIs annually, but figures suggest only 25% to 60% of women do so.

Head cancer in boys linked to HPV

26/03/2010 09:15:10

Scientists have urged health officials to consider offering vaccinations against the human papillomavirus (HPV) to boys after statistics revealed an increase in the number of serious head and neck cancers linked to oral sex.

While the overall rate of cancers in the particular area of the body has declined in the recent years, the incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has risen sharply, particularly in the developed world.

Researchers at University Hospital Coventry believe the growth may be linked to cancers caused by HPV.

In a report published in the British Medical Journal, lead scientist Hisham Mehanna said: "Sexual transmission of HPV - primarily through orogenital intercourse - might be the reason for the increase in incidence of HPV related oropharyngeal carcinoma."

He added that while suggestions that boys be included in immunisation plans had previously been dismissed as too expensive, it was now time to look again.

The report comes not long after a separate study found that the risk of developing OSCC was linked to a history of six or more lifetime sexual partners and four or more lifetime oral sex partners.

Women get contraceptive implant

26/03/2010 09:05:19

A removable contraceptive implant is to be made more readily available to women across Norfolk.

They will be able to get the treatment from their GP surgery from Thursday, April 1.

The implant provides contraception for three years but can be removed before this point at any time.

The initiative is led by Dr Vicki Bowman, a GP at Paston Surgery, North Walsham.

Julie Hughes, NHS Norfolk's Sexual Health Commissioning Manager, said: "This is part of NHS Norfolk's drive to improve access to long-acting, reversible contraception for all.

"It will be available for all surgeries that want to provide it. Women across the county will have access to the implant, either through their own GP surgery or one nearby.

"Unlike the contraceptive pill, the effectiveness of the implant does not depend on other factors. For example, it will still be effective if you have a stomach upset. The implant is also particularly beneficial for younger women, who may not always remember to take the contraceptive pill."

Study on access to emergency pill

24/03/2010 14:35:05

Rates of unintended pregnancies are not reduced by easier access to emergency contraception, a new study has suggested.

Family planning experts tried giving reserves of the drug to women in advance in 11 medical studies to see if this would impact on the number of pregnancies.

The so-called morning-after pill can prevent pregnancy when taken within 120 hours of unprotected sex but many women do not access such contraceptives in time or are too embarrassed to request it.

Dr Chelsea Polis, researcher at the Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health, said they gave women the pill as a precaution, so they would have it on hand.

"Advance provision of emergency contraception is the idea that providing women with a packet or several packets of pills in advance of need will allow them to access the medication more quickly, and that by accessing it more quickly, they'll be able to use it within that recommended time frame," said Dr Polis.

Sex education programme criticised

24/03/2010 09:05:18

A lack of basic sex education leaves people with learning difficulties feeling vulnerable, embarrassed and confused, research has claimed.

While praising Government efforts on rights for and integration of people with mental disabilities, a three-year project by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds uncovered widespread misunderstanding about the nature of sex on the part of those with learning difficulties.

The project revealed that many in the study thought sex was illegal, while others had no idea that the police investigated cases of sexual abuse. Equally, few knew that sex could lead to pregnancy, with others not knowing that pregnancy lasted nine months.

Parents of those involved in the study revealed that many were frightened by puberty - with one boy plucking out his pubic hair and many girls completely unable to deal with menstruation when it happened.

Study leader Dr Ruth Garbutt said: "Sex education is done in mainstream school, of course, but it's pitched at a level which some young people with learning difficulties don't understand."

Syphilis rise 'reflects web trends'

23/03/2010 14:35:01

The use of social networking sites to meet for casual sex has been partly blamed for a Syphilis comeback.

Cases of the sexually-transmitted infection have risen four-fold in Teesside over the past year.

It was previously thought to have been virtually wiped out.

Sites like Facebook and Bebo are making it easier for strangers to meet for casual sex, it is feared.

Professor Peter Kelly, executive director of public health for NHS Tees, said more young women are being affected.

Unprotected sex with strangers puts people at high risk of getting syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections.

Professor Kelly said: "Syphilis is a devastating disease which can lead to serious health problems to the infected individual, their sexual contacts and an unborn child in pregnant women.

"It is easily preventable and treatment is simple and effective.

"It is important that people avoid high risk sexual behaviours and practise safe sex to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections."

Syphilis in pregnant women leads to miscarriage, stillbirth or problems with the child's development.

Experts are urging people to get checks at their nearest sexual health clinic or GP surgery.

Girl takes up HPV jab campaign

19/03/2010 14:35:02

A schoolgirl has vowed to mobilise young females to vaccinate themselves against the potentially cancerous human papillomavirus, which is sexually transmitted.

Sophie Hibbert, 15, whose mother died in January from cervical cancer, said: "My mum wanted me to have the HPV vaccine. She didn't want the same thing to happen to me.

"There were lots of rumours at school about the HPV vaccine, and some girls didn't want to have it because they were scared of needles, but a lot of my friends wanted the vaccination because I'd talked about what had happened to my mum."

Sophie's mother Helen, from Basildon, was 44 when she died. She was told she had cancer in June 2007 and was given radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She was then diagnosed with secondary lymphoma, which is a long-term of side effect of cancer treatment, from which she died.

Getting the injections for Sophie was a "no-brainer", Mrs Hibbert's husband Kevin said.

"If you have a choice between preventing cervical cancer and taking the risk of what Helen and our family have been through, it is worth having the vaccination," he added.

Contraception 'an awkward issue'

19/03/2010 09:05:22

Around 10% of women find talking to their GP about birth control just as bad as a visit to the dentist, a survey has claimed.

The Bayer Healthcare poll also found that around a quarter of women hadn't spoken to their doctor about contraception at all, with a further 56% even admitting to feeling uncomfortable discussing the issue with their partner.

In all, women spend less than 10 minutes a year discussing contraception with their GP - this despite the fact that 39% admitted to having had sex with their most recent partner before they got to their third date.

Dr Tina Peers, consultant in contraception and sexual health, said: "There is more choice than ever for women of all ages - there are actually 15 methods of contraception and as an example, there are over 20 different types of oral contraceptives available, but women in their 20s and 30s seem to be denying themselves the chance to make an informed choice. "

Cancer screening not aided by test

18/03/2010 09:05:24

Cervical screening involving a test for the human papillomavirus (HPV) does not better identify cancer risks, specialists have claimed.

This is despite the fact that the majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by the HPV infection, which is sexually-transmitted.

The NHS has been piloting the idea of routinely adding HPV tests to cervical screening in laboratories across the UK.

For smear results showing "borderline" or mild abnormalities - suggesting cells could develop to cancer at some point in the future - an HPV test has been carried out on their sample.

However, new research says adding the HPV test to smear tests does not help doctors identify which women are at risk of cancer or the best form of follow-up treatment.

Around eight out of 10 sexually-active women will contract HPV at some point in their lives and the infection clears itself up within two years in about 80% of cases. However, women are at high risk of re-infection.

Dr Maggie Cruickshank, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Aberdeen and one of the authors of the study, said: "Of the women who actually needed treatment for pre-cancerous disease over the course of the study, 91 out of 393 (23%) had a negative HPV test at the start of the trial.

"For younger women, HPV testing after a low grade smear could lead to unnecessary investigations and intervention."

Study on teenage girls' sex history

17/03/2010 14:35:07

A team of researchers has completed a study on sexually active teenagers which could help counselling therapies better meet their needs.

Indiana University School of Medicine looked at reasons why girls with past sexual experience resume sexual activity after periods of abstinence.

The study was carried out as part of a drive to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy among teenagers.

The findings are available in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health.

The risk of a teenager having sex again after a period of abstinence differed according to how long she had been abstinent.

A young woman was more likely to try sex again when her relationship with her partner was good, when the girl felt good and when she was interested in having sex.

The study appeared to contradict the idea that girls with a sexual past are more likely to resort to sexual involvement again when angry or depressed.

"Sexuality is an important developmental task for teens. They need to go from childhood to sexually mature adulthood while remaining sexually disease free and without getting pregnant," said study leader Dr Mary Ott.

STD diagnosis was linked to a reduced risk of subsequent sex for a short time, but an increased risk in the intermediate term. It was not linked to the decision whether or not to have sex in the long-run.

Government dismisses abortion ads

16/03/2010 09:05:09

The Government has dismissed controversial adverts claiming Polish women could come to the UK for free abortions.

The posters, created in the style of Mastercard adverts, were reportedly produced by SROM, a feminist group.

Polish women who are not resident in the UK would currently be expected to pay for a termination unless it was an emergency.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said there was no provision for people to come to the UK to access NHS treatment.

The advert, however, stated: "Abortion in a public clinic - 0 zloty."

It went on: "Relief after a procedure carried out in decent conditions - priceless."

But Tony Kerridge from Marie Stopes said that women from Poland, where abortion is illegal, could have been driven to find a way around the rules.

Marie Stopes helps thousands of Irish women each year who pay to have terminations privately in the UK.

According to ONS figures, only 30 Polish women took this course of action in 2008.

Mr Kerridge said: "We see several thousand Irish women who pay for the service on an annual basis and there is a huge disparity with that number of 30 that came from Poland.

"Something interesting is going on. What it really speaks to in the case of Ireland and Poland is that when a woman is pregnant and doesn't want to be she will go to any length to end that pregnancy, and potentially get involved with something that's not quite above board."

Titans front chlamydia campaign

15/03/2010 14:35:00

Health officials in Rotherham have enlisted the help of their local rugby union team to encourage residents to get screened for chlamydia.

NHS Rotherham have recruited the heavy hitting help of the Rotherham Titans to front their 'I've Been Tested' campaign, which aims to raise awareness of a disease that often lies undetected among sufferers and can lead to long-term health problems, including infertility.

According to recent figures, one in 10 sexually active under-25s have the infection without knowing it, sparking fresh efforts to reach out to the region's younger generation who are most at risk of contracting chlamydia.

The drive has been launched along with another campaign by NHS Rotherham - aimed at improving the region's exercise habits by walking the 467 million steps it would take to get to the moon.

Participants of the Trust's 'Moon Walk' challenge will receive a free 'moonometer' which will monitor the amount of steps they take each day on their virtual trip to the moon.

HPV test 'unnecessary' in under-30s

15/03/2010 09:05:12

DIY smear tests bought online can mistakenly diagnose women with cervical cancer, a leading specialist has warned.

The kits detect changes in cells affected by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes the majority of cervical cancer cases.

Launched by DrThom at a cost of £115, the tests are aimed at busy women, those who find the examinations embarrassing and those that fall outside the current age range for free screening on the NHS.

But Dr Anne Szarewski, a clinical consultant at the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine in London, said the kits were both unnecessary and likely to cause undue panic, not to mention the fact that they could diagnose a woman with the condition even when it would clear up without treatment.

She said: "For women under 30 I don't think there's a call for HPV testing. It's going to create a lot of worry among women."

Responding, Nick Wales, consultant gynaecologist at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London, and one of the medical team overseeing the test service, said:"I believe within 10 years all cervical screening will be done this way."

'Pill users live longer' says study

12/03/2010 09:05:19

New research has revealed that women who have never been prescribed the Pill can expect to live shorter lives compared to those who took the oral contraceptive.

The study which was published online in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that women who used the Pill were less likely to die from any cause. This included heart disease and all forms of cancer.

More than 46,000 women took part in the study but the results showed that the benefits for pill takers may only effect those who have taken older-style pills compared to those on newer forms of the drug.

The study also found that women who were under 45 years old and had stopped taking the Pill five to nine years previously had a slightly greater chance of dying.

However, this risk diminished as women got older and was not the case in those with more distant use.

Jo Burgin, from Marie Stopes International, said: "Since the contraceptive pill is the most popular method of contraception in the UK, we are very pleased that research concluding that it is not associated with increased long-term risk of death has been published.

"Women regularly come to our centres for contraceptive advice, many of whom express concern about serious side-effects.

"A lot of their concerns are founded on complete myths, for example, there is no evidence that the contraceptive pill is not safe, or that it causes birth defects, or that long-term pill use can affect fertility.

"I sincerely hope that today's research results will reassure concerned women."

Fit people 'have better sex lives'

10/03/2010 14:35:04

Keeping fit and healthy is the key to a good sex life, researchers have suggested.

A US study found healthier people have longer sex lives and are almost twice as likely to be interested in sex than those in poor shape.

The study on more than 6,000 people also found fitter people have sex more frequently - once or more a week - and enjoy better lovemaking, particularly men.

Furthermore, healthy males can expect to have a longer sex life than women, lasting into their 70s, the study found.

It said men, aged 30, can expect another 35 years of sexual activity compared to 31 years for women.

While, men in their 50s can hope for another 15 years while women generally have another 11 years of sexual activity.

Being married or having a partner makes this gender difference less obvious, the research, published online in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found.

Nevertheless, it seems men overall are more interested in sex and more report a good sex life than women.

Religious chemist refuses pill

10/03/2010 09:15:20

A pharmacist in Sheffield has been criticised after she refused to dispense the contraceptive pill because of her religion.

Janine Deeley went to collect her routine prescription of the medication from a Lloyds pharmacy in Duke Street but was turned away by the female chemist.

The company has launched an investigation into the incident.

Ms Deeley, a mother-of-two, was escorted to a private room and told by the pharmacist to return the following day to collect the medication. She said a different pharmacist would be available who wasn't restricted by religious belief.

Ms Deeley, 38, of Wybourn, said she was furious she was not allowed her prescription, especially because she used it to treat endometriosis and not as a method of birth control.

She told the Sheffield Star: "I shouldn't have to explain myself to her. I was so angry I didn't really know what to do."

Ms Deeley also said she was worried teenagers like her two daughters, Carlie, 18, and Lauren, 14, might not be able to protect against pregnancy if faced with such issues.

She added: "There's a lot of things in society you might not like or agree with, but you can't do anything about them."

A spokeswoman for Lloyds pharmacy said she was not aware which religion the pharmacist belonged to and an investigation into Ms Deeley's complaint had been launched.

JLS in talks over condom range

10/03/2010 09:05:17

X Factor finalists JLS are in talks to launch a range of condoms to promote the importance of safe sex.

A condom manufacturer has been in discussion with the group's management about a potential deal.

The chart stars have frequently expressed their views in interviews on the use of protection and the deal could see the group launching colour-coded condoms.

Aston Merrygold, Oritse Williams, Marvin Humes and Jonathan Gill would each have their own signature colour of red, green, yellow or blue.

A source said: "It's very early days but there have been discussions. Nothing is finalised. It's in the early stages so it may not happen."

A spokesman for the band would not comment on any talks with manufacturer Durex.

If the deal does happen, it will join an array of strange celebrity endorsements and products.

Rock band Kiss launched their own range of coffins, while former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman has his own signature metal detector.

Rap artist 50 Cent has frequently talked about launching his own line of condoms.

Youngsters warned over STI dangers

09/03/2010 09:05:08

Young people are being warned of the dangers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) after newly released figures show numbers are on the rise, according to the Ilford Recorder in Essex.

NHS Redbridge said STIs such as HIV and chlamydia are more prevalent despite a reduction in teenage pregnancies to their lowest level in the past 10 years.

The trust wants to encourage young people to use chlamydia testing kits.

A spokesman said: "Treatment of chlamydia is simple and painless if the infection is caught in its early stages.

"We are also encouraging young people to use condoms and other methods of contraception, such as the contraceptive pill or injections, as well as undergoing an annual sexual health check."

For more information about contraception and sexual health check ups contact a GP. Alternatively condoms and chlamydia screening test kits can be collected from pharmacies.

Bone density study on Mirena users

08/03/2010 14:35:04

Newly published research has found that women who choose to use the Mirena intrauterine system for contraception on a long-term basis have a similar bone mineral density (BMD) compared to those who use the intrauterine device (IUD).

Research was conducted after concerns were raised in the medical profession about the effect of the device on a women's BMD. The Mirena is otherwise known as the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS).

Levonorgestrel is a synthetic version of the hormone progestogen and is used as an active ingredient in some hormonal contraceptives.

M. Valeria Bahamondes and his team from the University of Campinas in Brazil carried out the study. They assessed BMD at the midshaft of the ulna and ultra-distal radius using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 37 women at seven or 10 years of LNG-IUS use.

They also looked at 37 women who had no previous hormonal contraceptive use and used the TCu380A copper IUD for the same length of time.

Those involved were on average 34 and 38 years old at the 7th and 10th year of use.

The study found that no significant differences in BMD at the midshaft of the ulna and at the ultra-distal radius were seen between the 7th and 10th year of LNG-IUS use.

The BMD values obtained for users of the TCu380A IUD were also similar to those seen in LNG-IUS users at both time points.

Pharmacies offer free contraception

05/03/2010 14:35:08

Pharmacies in Swindon are offering young women free emergency contraception as part of a drive to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

The initiative is being spear-headed by NHS Swindon who want to provide young women with access to confidential support when problems arise.

They are urging women to ask for help if their contraception has failed or if they have had unprotected sex.

Amy McCullough, NHS Swindon sexual health lead, said: "Swindon provides a number of successful contraception initiatives such as the condom card scheme, which provides young people with access to free condoms. Pharmacies also provide young women, under the age of 25, access to free emergency contraception, which we hope will further prevent unwanted pregnancies in young people.

"We are helping young people make informed choices about their sexual health through working with schools to make sure young people receive good-quality sex and relationship education, and working with parents to help them talk openly to their children about sex."

Last year the number of abortions rose across all relevant age groups. However, terminations were particularly common among 19 to 24-year-olds.

Newly published figures from the Department for Children, Schools and Families found that 126 girls aged 15 to 17 in the town fell pregnant in 2008. This was a 20% reduction compared with the 158 who became pregnant in 2007.

The pregnancy rate among the same age group fell from 45.9 per 1,000 teenage girls to 36.1 per 1,000.

STI talks 'crucial to happiness'

05/03/2010 09:05:10

Couples hoping for a lifetime of domestic bliss could boost their chances through open and honest discussions about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a poll has claimed.

An investigation by Populus found that 70% of more than 1,000 young adults ranked frank discussion about STIs as a crucial factor in relationships, topping the usual suspects of meeting parents and friends, which lagged behind at 66% and 40% respectively.

Unfortunately, the theory is rarely translated into action, with almost three-quarters (73%) admitting they had never raised the subject. A total of 30% said they felt awkward asking their partners to use condoms.

The Government has launched the Chlamydia - Worth Talking About campaign to get to the root of the problem and encourage young people to have themseleves tested regularly.

Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said: "STIs can be a difficult subject to talk about, but it's encouraging that young couples are starting to see beyond that. The Government's Chlamydia. Worth Talking About campaign aims to get young people discussing STIs and saying "yes" to chlamydia tests."

Campaign launched to reduce STDs

04/03/2010 14:35:07

A campaign has been launched in Liverpool that aims to reduce cases of sexually transmitted diseases in the area.

Run by the Department of Health, the Got It Covered campaign has the backing of businesses and organisations in the city.

Mock lollipops, aftershave samples and replica sauce sachets containing condoms are being handed out at bars, burger vans and by taxi drivers.

The campaign urges young people to consider carry condoms as a precaution on a night out, and when returning home afterwards.

It was originally run last summer, and the number of people carrying condoms on a night out increased by 55%.

Organisers of the new Got It Covered campaign are hoping for further success.

Clinical director of sexual health at NHS Liverpool Community Health, Dr James McVicker, said: "We have a strong coalition of local businesses that has pledged to make condoms more visible, provide incentives for people to be prepared to carry them and distribute condoms in selected locations at appropriate times."

GPs given cervical cancer guide

04/03/2010 09:05:07

GPs are being given fresh guidance on how to correctly determine symptoms and quickly diagnose cervical cancer in young women.

The Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening set up a working group to look at how young women with gynaecological symptoms are managed. It found that those who went to their doctor with unusual bleeding waited longer to be diagnosed because their GP did not examine their pelvic area properly.

An algorithm has been included in the new guidance, designed to help GPs better manage their treatment for young women, as have NICE guidelines for dealing with gynaecological symptoms.

National Clinical Director for Cancer Sir Mike Richards said: "To help GPs follow the correct procedure we have produced a pathway which maps the steps they need to take when women aged 20-24 present with post-coital bleeding and bleeding between menstruation."

Professor Steve Field, who chairs the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "We welcome this new guidance; it is a really positive step that will assist us in making earlier diagnoses for younger women aged 20-24, which will in turn improve the outcomes for those at risk, and ultimately save lives."

Fewer people being tested for STIs

03/03/2010 09:05:24

The number of people being tested for sexually transmitted diseases at a specialist clinic in Scunthorpe has fallen to its lowest level since December 2008.

The Department of Health said 267 people were admitted to the GUM (genito-urinary medicine) clinic in Cliff Gardens, part of Scunthorpe General Hospital, compared with a high of 494 in July last year.

Health chiefs said a 22% drop on November's figures in December 2009 was due to a "care-free" Christmas period.

A spokesman for Scunthorpe General Hospital said: "Traditionally December figures do tend to dip and then they pick up again in January. This might be because people are out enjoying themselves over the Christmas and New Year festivities and it is only in January when they think to seek help or advice regarding their sexual health."

A total of 250 people were tested at the Sexual Health Centre in the town.

The centre had begun a weekly drop-in service in November for people aged 20 and under, to try to prevent a dip in the numbers being tested over Christmas and New Year.

Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and herpes are the top three most common STIs respectively.

Chlamydia services acknowledged

02/03/2010 14:35:04

Services which have helped in the fight against chlamydia around the Kent area have been given hampers of chocolate by the NHS to congratulate them on their efforts.

GP practices and pharmacies across the region have been testing increasing numbers of under-25s for the sexually transmitted disease in a screening programme that has been running nationwide.

Last week Bromley NHS Primary Care Trust rewarded the most successful services with chocolate.

Southborough Lane Practice in Bromley Common, Bank House Surgery in Farnborough and The Woodlands Practice in Chislehurst were singled out for praise, as was the Village Pharmacy in Farnborough.

A spokesman for primary care trusts said: "GP practices and pharmacies have been encouraged to support the testing because they can directly influence young people by explaining to them why it is so important to be tested."

Testing kits can be ordered from checkurself.org.uk or by calling 01689 880 646.

Most UK women never tested for HIV

01/03/2010 09:05:08

Almost three-quarters of British women have never been tested for HIV, with many seeing no need to, a poll has found.

A total of 73% were not checked for HIV, while 62% think HIV and Aids do not affect their community.

Some 82% of British women had sex without a condom, with 63% saying it was because they were in an exclusive relationship.

Meanwhile, 58% of women do not have annual HIV tests because they do not consider themselves at risk.

The poll, for the MAC Aids Fund, explored the reasons why women do not use condoms.

Of those not using them, 35% said they trusted their partner was not HIV positive, 35% were using another form of contraception and 27% said they had a "no risk" attitude to sexually transmitted infections.

In 2008, almost 7,300 people were diagnosed with HIV in the UK, almost three times the number a decade before.

Singers Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper are backing MAC's Viva Glam campaign to support people with HIV and Aids.

Nancy Mahon, executive director of the MAC Aids Fund, said: "The survey insights are a wake-up call that we need to improve HIV awareness and access to prevention methods for women in the UK."

Pregnancy rates hit 10-year low

26/02/2010 09:05:17

The number of women having babies has fallen for the first time in nearly 10 years, according to official figures.

The drop in pregnancies follows a 10-year baby boom which saw the population pass 61 million, according to the Office of National Statistics.

Pregnancy rates fell in all groups apart from those women aged over 40, who were conceiving at the same rate of 12.6 per 1,000, figures from between 2007 and 2008 show.

The biggest fall was in women under 20, where the numbers getting pregnant dropped by 2.8%, from 61.7 to 60.0 conceptions per thousand women aged 15-19.

Meanwhile, pregnancies resulting in a birth remained at 78%.

MP urges sex education age lowered

25/02/2010 14:45:00

A Welsh MP wants children as young as 12 to be taught about sex in school after a county in Wales was shown to have the highest UK rate of teenage pregnancies.

Rhondda MP Chris Bryant called for a change in the age for educating children about sex and relationships. His call followed the revelation that Merthyr Tydfil had 73.5 pregnancies per 1,000 teenagers aged 15-17 in 2008, up from 69.5 in 2007 and 56.9 in 2006.

This is the highest rate in any Welsh authority since 2002, putting Merthyr, with 30,000 residents, ahead of Manchester and Lewisham in south-east London. Rhondda had the next highest Welsh rate with 59.2 per 1,000 girls.

Mr Bryant said: "Such high levels mean that in many cases poverty is handed down from one generation to another. There is a wealth of evidence to suggest that children born to young teenage mums are more likely to have medical problems later in life and to become teenage parents.

"The most important thing is to have the relevant kind of sex and relationship education at a younger age. We also need to tackle the problems of alcohol abuse in young people."

Slight fall in teenage pregnancies

24/02/2010 14:35:06

The number of teenage pregnancies in England has fallen, but the rate of decline may not be enough to meet key Government targets, according to new figures.

The Government had promised to halve teenage pregnancies by 2010 against a 1998 baseline of 46.6 conceptions per 1,000 girls aged 15-17.

But the new figures show a rate of 40.4 per 1,000 girls in 2008 - a fall of just over 13% against the baseline figure and a 3% fall since 2007.

The pregnancy rate among under-16s in England fell by almost 6% between 2007 and 2008 from 8.3 to 7.8 per 1,000 girls.

The North East had the highest under-18 conception rate at 49 per 1,000 girls. The East of England had the lowest rate, at 31.4.

Gill Frances, chair of the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group, said: "Successful reduction in teenage pregnancy always depends on local authorities and primary care trusts and we encourage them to press on with this challenging problem.

"Nationally, statutory Sex and relationships education will give an extra benefit and Government must also ensure all young people have access to contraceptive and sexual health services."

Balls accused over sex education

24/02/2010 09:05:13

Schools secretary Ed Balls has been accused of "cowardice" after the House of Commons amended sex education legislation following opposition from religious groups.

Mr Balls insisted there had been no "watering down" of the Children, Schools and Families Bill as his controversial amendment was passed by MPs on Tuesday.

But the move was condemned by teaching unions, and the National Secular Society claimed the Government had "betrayed" children in faith schools.

The amendment to the Children, Schools and Families Bill was passed without debate due to a lack of time at report stage.

It allows faith schools to teach personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) lessons "in a way that reflects the school's religious character".

The change follows what the Catholic Education Service claimed had been a period of "extensive lobbying".

Keith Porteous Wood, executive director of the National Secular Society, said: "The Government has once more bowed to pressure from the Catholic Church, betraying the children in faith schools who have a right to objective and balanced sex education."

He added: "This cowardice will blight many lives."

The Bill was given a third reading by 268 votes to 177, Government majority 91 and now goes to the Lords.

But due to the lack of parliamentary time before the general election is called, ministers will face an uphill task to get all of its measures on to the statute book.

Government urges TV safe sex debate

23/02/2010 09:05:09

Broadcasters have been called on by the Government to address the issue of safe sex during television programmes.

The calls follow the imminent publication of the Government's 'Mis-selling Sex' report which found that out of 350 episodes of soap operas and comedies, only 7% involved dialogue between characters about using condoms or other forms of contraception.

The report will also urge scriptwriters to expose the results of unsafe sex, such as unwanted pregnancies and transmission of STIs, to a younger audience.

Public health minister Gillian Merron told the Telegraph that although it was not the Government's place to tell programme makers what they should broadcast, a "realistic and responsible" discussion about safe sex and contraception was important.

"Young people relate to the programmes they watch on TV, so it's important that they see both realistic and responsible portrayals of sex and contraception," she said.

"It's not for Government to say what happens on TV, but we can have conversations with broadcasters to help them have a more positive impact on attitudes to sex.

"I'm encouraged that some broadcasters are working to address these issues, and hope others will follow suit."

The report has also urged broadcasters to use more slang dialogue in their writing in order to connect with younger viewers.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

Marie Stopes International comments:

Young people are bombarded with sexual imagery via the TV, internet, music and computer games. This information may be sensationalist, misleading, or incorrect, and as a result young people may be ill-informed about what constitutes a healthy and desirable relationship, and ill-prepared to make an informed decision about whether or not to have a sexual relationship and how to protect themselves against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

We therefore welcome Public health minister Gillian Merron's comments and the Government's conversations with broadcasters and script writers to encourage the issue of safe sex to be addressed during television programmes. Storylines providing information about the importance of using contraception and the potential consequences of unprotected sex, within a format that younger people can relate to, is needed to balance exposure to sensationalist sexual imagery. It may also equip teenagers with the knowledge and confidence to be able to negotiate their sexual lives safely.

New-look website promotes STI tests

22/02/2010 09:05:11

Young people in Suffolk can get information and free tests for a sexually transmitted infection from an updated NHS website.

The site, www.amiclear.com, urges sexually active people aged between 16 and 25 to order free chlamydia screening kits, which are sent out through the post.

NHS Suffolk redesigned the website to appeal to its younger audience, stressing the ease and convenience of the confidential screening and warning users that chlamydia can cause infertilty in both men and women if not treated.

Up to one in 12 sexually active people aged under 25 are thought to have chlamydia in Suffolk, with about 75% of women and 50% of men showing no external symptoms of the infection.

Tests are simple and require only a urine sample, or women can choose to take their own vaginal swab, and confidential results are posted back.

Pam Frost, Suffolk Community Healthcare's sexual health manager, said: "The new website offers an easy, convenient and confidential way of ordering a chlamydia screening kit.

"The consequences of not being checked can be serious, so I would encourage young people to visit the site, order a kit, and take a look at the simple advice we offer on safe sex."

Football club offers chlamydia test

19/02/2010 09:15:06

A Lancashire football club has thrown its support behind the region's chlamydia screening programme to encourage young men to get tested.

Accrington Stanley fans can cheer on the players and confidentially check their sexual health at Saturday's game against Bradford City.

The club will raise awareness of the sexually transmitted disease, which can cause infertility if not treated, by supporting the NHS and East Lancashire's b-sure screening programme.

Young men are often less likely to get themselves tested, but chlamydia sufferers can have no external symptoms and can be unaware anything is wrong.

London filmmakers break FGM silence

18/02/2010 09:15:07

Campaigners in London have released a film calling on the capital's young African population to 'Think Again' about the practice of female genital mutilation.

The film has been created by the Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development (FORWARD) in partnership with the Haringey African Women's Welfare Group in a bid to engage the capital's young African women, some of whom are taken out of the country to undergo the painful procedure.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a commonplace practice in Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and Egypt, and involves the partial removal of external female genitalia, often for cultural, not medical reasons.

Although the practice has been banned in several African countries, many UK residents continue to fly out to their native countries to go through with the procedure.

The custom, which can cause serious health problems and make sexual intercourse painful, could effect around 24,000 girls in the UK.

'Think Again' hopes to raise awareness of the physical and psychological damage that girls can suffer as a result of FGM.

The film will be given its first screening on February 19 between 6pm and 9pm at the Haringey Irish Cultural and Community Centre.

Sex health centre for ethnic groups

17/02/2010 09:45:00

A newly opened sexual health centre for London, which has 36,000 residents with HIV, is aimed at reaching communities from the Horn of Africa, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The centre, known as the Naz Project London (NPL), has grown over 18 years from a community-based organisation. Based in Hammersmith, it targets hard-to-reach black and ethnic minority communities from the Horn of Africa, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, supporting HIV/AIDS sufferers.

Its staff hope to reach communities that usually do not take up services for sexual health issues. The Blacks Road centre also has services for Spanish and Portuguese speaking populations.

The centre, London's largest such site dedicated to sexual health, has been opened at a time when 27% of the capital's HIV sufferers are undiagnosed, with many afraid to seek help.

It was officially opened by Deputy Mayor of London Richard Barnes, who described the facility as " a national and international leader providing services to some of our most vulnerable individuals and communities."

Ill-fitting condoms 'split easily'

16/02/2010 09:05:09

Ill-fitting condoms have a greater chance of splitting during sex, research has shown.

Men are twice as likely to report the condom breaking or slipping during intercourse, according to a poll of 436 men in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections. The report showed nearly half of those questioned had used a badly fitting condom in the past three months.

The poll also revealed condoms that had not been put on correctly reduced the pleasure of sex for both parties - with men five times more likely to suffer penis irritation, compared to using correctly sized ones.

The study also found that some men often lost their erection when using condoms.

A lack of lubrication also led some of those questioned to remove the condom during sex, according to the research among 18 to 67 year-old males conducted by a team from the Kinsey Institute in the US.

The study said: "Men and their female sex partners may benefit from public health efforts designed to promote the improved fit of condoms."

Tories make teenage pregnancy gaffe

15/02/2010 09:05:04

The Conservatives have mistakenly claimed that 54% of girls in the most deprived areas fall pregnant before the age of 18 by leaving out a decimal point in a calculation.

They released a 20-page document detailing the difference between life chances of rich and poor in which the mistaken figure appeared: the pregnancy rate should have read as 54 per 1,000 girls under 18 in the 10 most disadvantaged areas.

Labour pointed out that even that figure had fallen from 60 per 1,000 in 1998.

Under-18 pregnancy rates were found in further analysis to have fallen greatly in all except two of the 10 most deprived areas, falling overall by more than 10%, from 60.63 per thousand in 1998 to 54.32 per thousand in 2007.

The rate declined over that period in Birmingham, Easington, Hackney, Islington, Knowsley, Liverpool, Newham and Tower Hamlets although it increased in Manchester and Middlesbrough.

Speaking of the calculation error which left the Tories accused of being "totally out of touch", a Conservative Party spokesman admitted: "A decimal point was left out in a calculation."

Conservative leader David Cameron faced embarrassment over the assertion, in the dossier attacking the record of "Labour's Two Nations" as he was trying to establish his "progressive" credentials.

Chlamydia tests on Valentine's van

12/02/2010 14:35:00

NHS Oxfordshire's Valentine's themed roadshow has been hailed as a success after testing the same amount of young people for Chlamydia on its first day than the Trust would normally see in a week.

The eye-catching mobile unit, which is targeting 15 to 24 year olds, is fully equipped with testing facilities and screening kits to test for the 'love bug'. The 10-day tour is being managed by Event Marketing Solutions (EMS), who also designed the vehicle, and will visit nightspots and shopping centres across Oxford in the run up to Valentine's Day.

Consultant in public health for NHS Oxfordshire Angela Baker said: "We were looking for a fresh approach to target young people aged between 15 and 24, who fall into the 'high-risk' category for Chlamydia.

"Not everyone wants to visit a sexual health clinic and our Valentine's roadshow will give easy access to information and testing facilities so they can get themselves tested there and then."

The campaign began at an Oxfordshire high school on February 8.

Condoms offered to 13-year-olds

12/02/2010 09:35:00

Free condoms and chlamydia testing kits have been offered to children as young as 13 by the Teesside Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).

The kits and contraceptives are being distributed by NHS Middlesbrough's Life Store in the run up to Valentine's Day, which occurs during National Contraceptive Awareness Week this year.

The C:Card scheme is being promoted by "health trainers" at the shop in The Mall, Middlesbrough, which allows young people across the region to access free condoms and sexual health advice. But local religious leaders and parents have warned that giving away condoms to those as young as 13 could serve to "promote" sex.

Teenage pregnancy strategy co-ordinator Gillian McGready said: "Although the legal age limit is 16, if the sexual activity is judged to be consensual, young people also have the right to free and confidential advice regarding their sexual health and provision of contraception.

"Young people aged 13 to 16 who access the C:Card Scheme are assessed by staff trained in relation to current legislation. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 states that young people under the age of 13 cannot consent to any form of sexual activity."

Four out of five (80%) teenagers in Middlesbrough are not sexually active, according to NHS Tees, which also offers free condoms across Stock, Redcar, Cleveland and Hartlepool.

Cards urge men to take STI tests

11/02/2010 14:35:06

NHS Northamptonshire has sent more than 20,000 Valentine's cards to young men in a bid to highlight the importance of STI testing.

It is hoped the cards, which include a free condom and a "special poem", will encourage more young men to get checked out for STIs.

Those who do take a free chlamydia test will receive a pair of pants with "I've been tested" on the waistband.

Deputy director of public health for NHS Northamptonshire David Spence said: "Our research tells us that young men aged 20 to 24 years are more reluctant than most young people to take a test.

"One in 14 young people who are tested have chlamydia.

"It is easily treated with a course of antibiotics, but if left untreated can cause health problems and possibly infertility."

Cheshire has high rates of STIs

11/02/2010 09:35:07

Cheshire has some of the highest rates for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK, according to figures released by the Health Protection Agency.

The number of diagnosed cases of Chlamydia, herpes, syphilis and warts has steadily increased between 2004 and 2008. Young people should exercise more caution, as those between aged between 16 and 25 are deemed to be at particularly high risk.

A total of 615 cases of Chlamydia were diagnosed across central and eastern Cheshire in 2008.

The statistics highlight the importance of young people screening themselves for STIs and practising safe sex, said Health Protection Agency bosses.

Visit www.nhs.uk/worthtalkingabout for full details of screening centres across the North West.

Condom scheme working in Cornwall

10/02/2010 14:35:00

The C Card condom scheme is being promoted in colleges with the help of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly as part of Contraceptive Awareness Week.

By providing their date of birth and the first part of their postcode, anyone between the ages of 16 and 21 can register for a C Card, which allows them to get free condoms at a number of outlets across Cornwall, including at colleges of further education.

Emma Gardner, the young person's sexual health promotion worker with NHS Cornwall and Isle of Scilly said: "There is no doubt that using a condom is one of the best ways to enjoy a healthy sex life because when used correctly they significantly reduce sexually transmitted infections and unwanted teenage pregnancies.

"The C card scheme is widely promoted across Cornwall with 87 outlets able to provide free condoms to members. These can range from GP surgeries and pharmacies to youth centres and the colleges."

HRT 'helps to prevent colon cancer'

10/02/2010 09:45:00

Menopausal women who use HRT are less likely to develop colon cancer, according to new research.

Hormone replacement was linked to a 55% lower risk of the cancer than those who did not use it, according to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Those who started using HRT at the beginning of the menopause were 36% less likely to develop the cancer in the subsequent ten years than non-users, the study said.

Some 193 women among 34,433 users taking part in the study were diagnosed with colon cancer in comparison to 151 cases out of the 13,778 women who had never used HRT.

Despite factors such as age and weight, hormone replacement, used with either oestrogen alone or a combination of oestrogen and progestin, was linked to a lower colon cancer risk.

The beneficial effect of HRT was found to be stronger in women who had had a parent or sibling diagnosed with colon cancer.

Pupils may be offered STI tests

10/02/2010 09:35:00

Pupils at secondary schools in Derby could be offered pregnancy tests, the morning-after-pill and tests for sexually transmitted diseases without their parents being informed.

The proposed measure is already offered at the specialist pupil referral unit Kingsmead, and a group of school nurses are now looking to expand the service across Derby to reduce the teenage pregnancy rate.

But the idea was condemned by Littleover Community School headteacher David Nichols, who said: "It would be irresponsible to connive with children who are sexually active without their parents' knowledge.''

Kingsmead's headteacher Sue Bradley said the service was there for people who needed help, but they did not actively promote it. Mrs Bradley declined to say how many pupils had taken advantage of the service for privacy reasons.

Mrs Bradley said: "We don't stand up to young people and say 'come and get your condoms' – they have to approach the school nurse through a confidential session. It isn't a huge number of people who have accessed the service but, for those who have, it has been a service they needed."

'Peer education' hailed a success

09/02/2010 14:35:00

A "peer educator" scheme to educate young people on sex education has been championed by one of the volunteers in Derbyshire.

Beca Banner, 24, visits pubs, clubs and colleges in the county, offering free condoms and chlamydia testing kits and recommends where young people could go to seek professional help with sexual health problems. There is now a team of people aged 16 to 25 educating other young people around Derbyshire.

They visit colleges, pubs and clubs every four weeks and try to build up a rapport with the young people there, helping to get the message across.

Ms Banner said: "When I first went for the job it wasn't just new to me it was new to the county, so I didn't really know what it was all about.

"But once I'd become part of it I was quite proud of it and as the scheme grew I became passionate about it."

The scheme has been introduced across the county by Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust since being piloted in Chesterfield with Government funds.

HPV vaccine shows promising results

08/02/2010 14:35:00

Genital warts, cervical cell abnormalities and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures could be rapidly reduced by high-coverage human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations among adolescents and young women, according to a new study.

The study of 17,662 women aged 15 years and above was carried out by Nubia Munoz MD and colleagues at the National Institute of Cancer in Bogota, Colombia, to find out if the HPV vaccine lowered the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), external anogenital and vaginal lesions and other conditions.

The vaccination reduced the risk of HPV16/18-related high-grade cervical, vulvar and vaginal lesions, along with the risk of HPV6/11-related genital warts by up to 100% among the uninfected women in the group.

The risk of any lesion, genital warts, Pap abnormalities and definitive therapy, irrespective of HPV type, was reduced by vaccination.

Authors of the study said: "Our results provide strong evidence to suggest that the ongoing HPV vaccination programs in adolescent girls and young women will result within a few years in a notable reduction of genital warts, cervical cytological abnormalities, and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures related to precursor lesions in the cervix, vulva, and vagina."

Sex clinics for Liverpool schools

08/02/2010 09:05:05

Liverpool teenagers will soon be able to get sexual health advice at their school when clinics are set up across the city.

As part of a push to make sexual health services more accessible in Merseyside, Liverpool Primary Care Trust (PCT) is in talks with secondary schools to provide space for the clinics.

According to a PCT statement, schools will take part voluntarily in the project, which is in its "infancy" and is aimed at vulnerable, hard-to-reach young people who would not usually visit a health service.

The statement read: "It aims to improve young people's access to sexual health education and support in non-traditional settings, which are regularly and readily accessed by young people."

NHS Wirral launched a similar trial of clinics in 13 secondary schools last year to give sexual health support and advice on mental health and giving up cigarettes. It proved so successful the scheme will soon cover all 29 schools in the area.

Project leader Gordon Fair said: "Initial indications have shown that health services in school teams are providing early identification on a range of potential health-related issues.

"We have found that many young people are being helped and guided on issues including smoking, alcohol use and associated risk-taking behaviours."

'Gateway' dictates sperm success

05/02/2010 09:05:07

Scientists in the US have discovered a molecule in the tails of sperm cells that dictates the time at which certain cells "race" towards an unfertilised egg, paving the way for new breakthroughs in contraception and fertility treatment.

A team from the University of California, San Francisco, identified a "gateway" that allows the chemical make-up of the cell to change from acidic to alkaline.

It is this change that gives a sperm cell the boost it needs to reach the unfertilised egg. Opened too soon, and the sperm will burn itself out. Too late, and the sperm will not receive any boost at all.

By controlling the timing of this gateway - known as the "proton channel" - scientists may be able to delay or prevent the channel from opening altogether, opening up the potential for new developments in contraception and fertility treatments.

The team also found that a chemical found in cannabis, which also occurs naturally within the body, can also result in the channel opening too early, raising concerns that cannabis-users may be damaging their fertility.

Study leader Dr Yuriy Kirichok, said: "Marijuana likely activates sperm prematurely, leaving them burnt out in a matter of hours."

Chlamydia testing campaign launched

04/02/2010 09:05:12

A new campaign is calling on young people in the North East to get tested for chlamydia.

Primary care organisations across the region are working together to encourage people in the 20-24 age group to take the free and confidential test.

The test, which involves providing a urine sample, is to be specifically targeted at young people as chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection among those under 25.

A TV and radio campaign will run throughout February alongside engagement activity on social networking site Facebook.

Direct marketing to around 140,000 men in the region aged between 20 and 24 - who are more likely to test positive for chlamydia - will also take place.

At least one in ten sexually active people under the age of 25 are thought to be infected with chlamydia, however most people do not have any symptoms.

If left untreated, chlamydia can leave both men and women infertile. It is however very quick and simple to treat with a short course of antibiotics.

Professor Stephen Singleton, regional director of public health, said: "Chlamydia is the one of the most serious sexual health issues facing young people across the North East and our message is quite simple - if you are under 25 and sexually active, then take the chlamydia test.

"Every time you have a new sexual partner, then you should take the test again."

Students volunteer for STD tests

03/02/2010 09:05:06

More than a thousand students at a university have volunteered to be tested for the sexually transmitted disease (STD) chlamydia.

A total of 1,500 students at Loughborough University have been tested since last summer in a nationwide NHS bid to stop the spread of the disease. They gave urine samples to health workers who visited seven halls of residence. A competition to encourage screenings was won by Faraday Hall, which received a £500 prize.

Hall chairman Ewan Paterson said the money would go towards redecorating the common room.

Men and women can suffer Infertility if chlamydia goes untreated, and women can suffer other serious health problems.

Chlamydia specialists from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Screening Programme will talk with young people aged 15-24 at Loughborough market on February 13 from 9am-4pm.

Sexually active youngsters should not be embarrassed to take the test, said Dr Tim Davies, NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland's deputy director of public health

New 'week after' contraceptive pill

29/01/2010 09:05:08

An emergency contraceptive pill which stops women falling pregnant up to five days after having unprotected sex has been welcomed by pro-choice campaigners.

The traditional "morning after" contraception works for up to three days, but research has shown ulipristal acetate (UA) more than halves the risk of becoming pregnant compare with the 72-hour drug levonorgestrel.

However, UA is three times more expensive than levonorgestrel and is not yet available over the counter, despite receiving its European licence in May.

Researchers randomly gave one of the two pills to women needing emergency contraception at clinics in the UK, US and Republic of Ireland., and found UA cut the risk of pregnancy by almost two thirds compared with levonorgestrel if taken with 24 hours.

Combining this data with an earlier study, doctors wrote in The Lancet that the most serious side effect of UA was dizziness, and recommended it be made available via nurses and in pharmacies. However, they said the drug would need more safety testing to become accessible without prescription.

They said levonorgestrel's safety was assured because it had been used by many millions of women.

One in five pregnancies 'unplanned'

28/01/2010 09:15:08

Nearly one in five babies due to be born this year were conceived by accident, according to a survey of expectant mothers.

The high number of unplanned pregnancies could be the result of some adventurous sexual exploits, as the same poll revealed almost half the conceptions took place outside the bedroom.

More than 1,000 parents-to-be were quizzed by SurveyMonkey about how, when and where their child was created, which showed 9.5% of babies were conceived on holiday and 46% in bed.

Nicole Muller, director of The Baby Show which commissioned the survey, said: "It was surprising to see that nearly a fifth of babies due to be born in 2010 were not planned."

Other discoveries included that only 1% of babies were conceived in a car, most women fell pregnant after one to three months of trying, and that April was the most popular month for couples trying to conceive.

Intimate questioning revealed that Saturday was by far the most popular day for attempts at procreation, only 8% of couples conceived a child on Mondays. Early evening (6pm - 10pm) was the most successful conception window, although 11.2% of babies were created in the afternoon.

MPs speak out over chlamydia test

28/01/2010 09:05:04

MPs have accused the Government of using inadequate measures to monitor the progress of a chlamydia screening programme.

The Public Accounts Committee report said that the lack of accurate monitoring had left the Government unable to record whether the screening was working.

In November, a National Audit Office study claimed that taxpayers money was being wasted on the scheme.

The study attributed the problems to the officials' failure to establish how best to implement the test.

It said that five years after the campaign was launched - with a target to test 15% of people aged 15-25 - just 4.9% were being tested.

However, the figure reached 15.9% in 2008/09 after the Department of Health pressured primary care trusts (PCTs) to put the scheme at the top of their agenda.

The Public Accounts Committee report slammed the departments 'lack of urgency' in getting behind PCTs to conduct more tests, saying that if it continued at its current rate chlamydia cases would not be reduced.

The report added: "As a result, more young people than necessary are still being infected and potential savings to the NHS in treating the consequences of chlamydia infection have been lost."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: "By investing in these services, we can detect it earlier and make a real and measurable difference to the lives of young people."

HIV danger through 'tops - campaign

27/01/2010 09:05:08

Gay men are being warned that HIV can also be caught through their penises in a campaign being launched by the Terrence Higgins Trust.

The poster campaign by the HIV/AIDS charity is aimed at countering the myth that HIV can only be caught if men are "bottoms". It uses an illustration of a penis with a strap line reading: "During anal sex, HIV can enter the bloodstream through the absorbent head of the cock. Condoms stop this."

The campaign will appear on ads in London's gay press until late April. The ads will also go on posters and postcards in bars, saunas, GUM clinics and community centres and web banners on Gaydar. Posters are available with neutral imagery and are suitable for display in gay venues.

"Whilst it's true that 'bottoms' have a greater risk of becoming infected if they have sex without a condom, it's important that 'tops' are aware that HIV can also be passed on through the penis," said Alan Wardle, head of health promotion.

"The message here is that being a 'top' won't necessarily reduce your risk - condoms will."

Primary pupils to learn about sex

26/01/2010 09:45:00

Children should be taught about sex and domestic violence at the age of seven, Government guidance has recommended.

Eleven-year-olds should be given lessons on the importance of marriage, and parenting skills should be the subject of classroom discussion for 14-year-olds, according to the document sent to all schools in England.

For the first time in 10 years, teachers have been given new advice on how to approach sensitive subjects like sex and relationships with their pupils, and information on which ages are appropriate for different topics.

Five-year-old children should be asked to think about "where babies come from" and the difference between boys' bodies and girls' bodies, while seven-year-olds need to learn about puberty and the basics of reproduction.

When they turn 14, parenting classes ought to be asking teenagers what responsibilities they think parents have and which skills are necessary to be a good mum or dad, yet teachers should also talk about resisting pressure on teenagers to have sex too soon.

The guide encompasses relationship education throughout a pupil's school career, from their first year aged five, until they reach 16 in year 11. It has not been updated since 2000.

From September 2011, parents will lose their right to keep their children out of sex education classes after they reach the age of 15, and it will become compulsory, not optional, for primary and secondary schools to run personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) classes.

Schools secretary Ed Balls said: "We want to give young people the facts so that they can stay safe and healthy. We also want young people to understand the importance of marriage and other stable relationships - these are the bedrock of family life, the best way to bring up children and the kind of relationships we want young people to develop as they get older."

Chlamydia testing kits distributed

26/01/2010 09:05:05

A testing kit to check for chlamydia is being distributed to thousands of homes in the West Midlands.

Some 25,000 young people aged 18 to 24 will receive the kits from Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust amid concerns about the spread of the sexually transmitted disease.

The trust said more than 9% of under-25s in the city had genital chlamydia, which can lead to infertility if left untreated, and only 5% of people offered the chlamydia test in 2009 had taken it.

Chlamydia commonly has no symptoms, and can lead to infertility, long-term pelvic pain and other serious health problems if left unchecked, but is easily be treated with a course of antibiotics if detected early.

The kit , to be posted out in an unmarked envelope, allows people to provide a urine sample at home which they can return for analysis in a free-post envelope.

The results will be sent to them shortly after in confidence.

Family call to lower smear test age

25/01/2010 14:35:00

A young mother could have been diagnosed with cervical cancer earlier if the screening age had not been increased, her brother has said.

Kirsty Winstanley, 23, from St Helens in Merseyside died in August, 10 months after being diagnosed with the disease.

Her family is now handing in a petition to Downing Street calling on the Government to lower the screening age from 25 to 20.

Across the rest of Britain, the age at which women are offered a smear test is 20. The guidelines were the same in England up until 2003 when the age was increased.

Miss Winstanley's brother, Ian Atherton, told Sky News: "If the Government hadn't raised the screening age from 20 to 25 in 2003, she could have had the opportunity to have the smear test, and could have caught it."

More than 2,800 women a year in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer and almost 1,000 die from it every year.

Another 24,000 women get smear test results each year showing severely abnormal changes to the cells of their cervix, indicating the likelihood of cancer unless treatment is given.

Free condoms with Coventry's c-card

25/01/2010 09:05:07

Coventry has taken steps to lower its high teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease (STI) rate by offering teenagers and young people a "condom card".

The scheme allows anyone aged between 13 and 25 to get free condoms from colleges, youth clubs and GP surgeries in the city, after health bosses check they are responsible enough to use the card properly.

To get hold of a c-card, young people will need to have a full risk-assessment, with training on the safe use of condoms and information about other checks such as chlamydia screening. They can get six free condoms each time they use it, but will also have to attend an extra training session after every tenth visit to a participating clinic.

Evidence has shown that the best way to lower teenage pregnancy rates is to make contraception more widely available, said Jane Craig, manager of the city's Respect Yourself programme.

She explained: "There will be window stickers in all venues taking part in the c-card scheme, so if a young person is going on a night out they will think, oh I'll just nip in there."

More details can be found at www.got-it.org.uk/c-card.

New sex health standards endorsed

22/01/2010 09:05:08

The sexual health community has endorsed consistency of care for users of STI services within a tough operating environment after new standards were launched.

The Health Protection Agency and top professional groups involved in management of STIs backed the new standards, which are the first of their kind. They cover all aspects of STI management, from diagnosis and treatment to infection control.

A separate publication is available for people who use STI services. This explains the quality of care entitlement, such as being offered an appointment within 48 hours, and "open access" to services, meaning the service can be used without needing the GP to be consulted.

The new standards, called Standards for the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), were produced by the Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH).

"These new standards represent a consolidation of best practice and the challenge now is for commissioners and STI providers to focus all our efforts on working together and implementing these standards effectively," said Dr Immy Ahmed, former president of BASHH and Project Clinical Lead for the standards.

New sexual health centre to open

21/01/2010 09:05:06

People needing advice about sexual health will be able to use a new centre opening in Dorset, it has been announced.

The new centre in Dorchester will answer people's concerns about their own or their partner's sexual health, as well as providing testing and support.

Two existing services - the Chlamydia Screening Office in Weymouth and the sex advice services of Dorchester - will be combined in the new premises at 20 Trinity Street.

Other services offered at the centre will include contraception, pregnancy testing and chlamydia testing.

Joanne Wilson, who is the NHS Dorset lead officer for contraception and sexual health, said that consolidating the services was a good thing, and would provide local people with advice at one location.

She added: "Sexual health is and will continue to be extremely important to people of all ages. In Dorset there are more than 3,000 people who have chlamydia.

"If you are entering into a new relationship you may not now know if your new partner has it as there are often no symptoms but it can cause serious problems if left untreated. The only way to know for sure is to get tested."

Football stars promote STI testing

20/01/2010 14:35:00

Young people in Sheffield have been encouraged to get tested for chlamydia by one of the city's football teams.

Sheffield Wednesday stars Mark Beevers and Tommy Spurr have supported the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) to raise awareness of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) among younger fans.

Chlamydia is the UK's most common STI among men and women, infecting an estimated one in 14 people aged under 25.

As part of Wednesday's Health Owls initiative, Spurr said: "Chlamydia is a really big issue and it is very important that more young people especially young men come forward and get tested."

NHS Sheffield will offer supporters free screening at Sheffield Wednesday's matchday health MOT sessions at Hillsborough Stadium every month, with the first taking place at the Plymouth Game on January 30.

Owls fans can simply show up at the club's Sports Hall between 12.30pm and 3pm and receive their results by phone, text or letter about two weeks later. Alternatively, people can get a free home testing kit by texting CLEAR SW and their name, address and postcode to 80010.

HPV vaccine 'could save thousands'

20/01/2010 09:05:11

Cancer researchers have predicted that the number of women under 30 diagnosed with cervical cancer will plummet by 2025 due to the success of the HPV vaccination programme.

Researchers said the next generation of women will witness the benefit of the vaccine in their twenties and thirties when cervical cancer cases are most likely to be diagnosed.

According to government figures, 78% of girls aged 12 and 13 have received all three doses of the vaccine which protects against the development of the most severe forms of the disease - HPV 16 and HPV 18 - which cause about 70% of cervical cancers.

Based on the assumption that 80% of girls will have had the vaccine, researchers predict that the number of cases diagnosed in women in their twenties will fall by 63% as the long-term effects of the vaccine prove their worth over the next 15-20 years.

The research team also predict that 51% fewer women from the next generation will be diagnosed with a severe form of cell change which often leads to cervical cancer.

Cancer Research UK's Professor Jack Cuzick, lead author from Queen Mary, University of London, said: "This is the most realistic estimate of the impact the vaccination programme will have on the number of women who develop cervical cancer. It shows that the vaccine has great potential in preventing the disease in the near future, but also that it'll take several decades before we see its full benefits."

Copyright © Press Association 2010

Marie Stopes International comments:

HPV is a common virus passed through genital sexual contact. In many people, HPV will cause no health problems, however it can lead to cervical cancer after a number of years; the vaccination programme is therefore extremely valuable.

However, although the vaccine is a great leap forward in the prevention of cervical cancer, it is important to remember that it is not a cure-all and will only protect against certain strains of the HPV. Because the HPV vaccine does not protect against ALL cervical cancers, it is vital to encourage girls to start thinking about their cervical health as early as possible. Early detection and treatment can prevent around 75% of cervical cancers developing in women, so it is important to develop a cervical screening culture among women of all ages.

Lloyds launches health stats tool

19/01/2010 14:35:00

Lloydspharmacy has launched an online tool to make workers "sit up and take notice" of health statistics.

The Chances Are... Calculator reveals data on the number of colleagues who are likely to carry a sexually transmitted disease, consume too much alcohol or suffer from depression.

Andy Murdock, Governance and Pharmacy Relations Director of Lloydspharmacy, said: "People have become rather de-sensitised to national statistics.

"When you hear that 15% of the population is in danger of developing diabetes, it's a bit meaningless, but when you discover, for example, in an office of 50 people eight will be pre-diabetic and 10 of the men will experience some form of erectile dysfunction after turning 40, you're more likely to sit up and take notice.

"That's why we have launched this online tool. We hope it will be used in workplaces up and down the country, get people talking and encourage them to think about their own risk factors and what they can do to reduce their chances of developing lifestyle related diseases."

The tool works out how many colleagues statistically are likely to have particular health issues by taking into account the type of workplace, the gender split and age profiles of employees.

Wakefield offers free STI clinics

19/01/2010 09:35:00

People living in and around Wakefield have been urged to help tackle the rising number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by using condoms and visiting a walk-in 'Fastest' clinic to check up on their sexual health.

Run by the HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and funded by NHS Wakefield District, the 'Fastest' clinics offer free tests for infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis.

HIV tests at the clinics provide results just 20 minutes after taking blood from a pricked finger. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea test results take a week to return from the lab, after doctors analyse male urine samples or female self-administered swabs. Full blood samples are needed for hepatitis and syphilis tests.

Women can request free pregnancy testing, as well as emergency contraception, the Pill and contraceptive depot injections.

THT will provide antibiotics to those who test positive, distribute free condoms and give advice on safer sex.

Melissa Briscoe, THT's North regional manager, said: "We've recently seen a significant rise among the over-40s of infections like chlamydia, which often has no symptoms and can cause serious damage. Where good sexual health is concerned, going for regular check-ups is just as important as using condoms."

Award for local sexual health drive

18/01/2010 14:35:00

An NHS service which offers sexual health advice and contraception to young women in the North East has been recognised.

The Northumberland Care Trust, alongside Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has been recognised for its contraception and sexual health (CASH) scheme, which reaches out to disadvantaged youngsters to offer them long-term contraception options.

Now Nursing in Practice has rewarded the trust and local midwives for their hard work in Wansbeck General Hospital.

Karen Herne, lead nurse for CASH at Northumberland Care Trust, said: "Nurses working in the community CASH service have been visiting Wansbeck General Hospital to provide women with extended choice for long acting reversible contraception, through offering them contraceptive implants prior to discharge, following a termination."

Pregnant women under the age of 19 have also received professional advice under the community drive.

Karen added: "Within three weeks after the women gave birth, the nurses visited them again in their homes, and inserted contraceptive implants in those who asked for them.

"Some of the women involved have chosen to have coils as their method of choice and been provided with contraceptive cover until the right time to attend a clinic to have them inserted by the nurses."

Clinic makes move to town centre

18/01/2010 09:05:07

A unit in Scunthorpe which provides screening and treatment for STIs is hoping to attract more young people after moving to the town centre.

Chlamydia Outreach Advice Screening and Treatment unit (COAST) has moved to the Market Hill 8 To 8 Centre from Haldenby House in the Berkeley Business Park.

It is hoped more 15-24 year olds will now be able to access the service, which provides advice and tests for STIs.

Paul Watson, team manager for COAST, admitted some potential users had found it difficult to find the previous premises.

Some 2,435 people aged between 15 and 24 were tested for Chlamydia between the start of April and the end of 2009, according to figures from the North East Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust.

Of those, 159 tested positive for the STI.

Young urged to take chlamydia tests

15/01/2010 14:35:00

Young people in the North West have been urged to get tested for a common sexually transmitted infection through a letter writing campaign.

The new campaign involved health chiefs writing to all 27,000 18 to 25-year-old in the borough of Bolton to tackle the increase in chlamydia cases.

NHS Bolton is sending out letters because the age group is the most badly affected.

The infection can be detected through a urine test and treated with a course of antibiotics. It can be prevented from spreading with the use of condoms.

GPs, family planning clinics and the Parallel Young People's Centre can provide tests and home test kits are available by texting TEST and your name and address to 84010.

"Unless we halt the alarming spread of chlamydia now we could see a big impact in the future, but the test and treatment are simple, effective ways to tackle this problem," said Jan Hutchinson, director of public health.

"We felt that a personal letter was the best way to reach people with this important information, both because of the greater impact it will have compared to conventional advertising and because this is essentially a personal issue."

Bid to improve STI testing targets

14/01/2010 14:35:05

A health trust in Harrow has launched a mobile health clinic in a bid to encourage more youngsters to get tested for sexually transmitted infections.

The North West London NHS Hospitals Trust (NWLH) board warned that the area is falling short of chlamydia testing targets among 16 to 24-year-olds.

NHS Harrow launched the Clinic In A Box initiative at every school in the area, which allows youngsters to go along to a drop-in centre to receive professional advice.

A report by NWLH said the trust achieved its target for Brent Primary Care Trust for the period between July to September, with 3,532 screened.

It added: "However, it did not achieve it for the entire population target due to the low numbers for Harrow Primary Care Trust."

Under 25s are encouraged to get tested as chlamydia does not always carry symptoms and one in every 14 tested through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme are diagnosed with the infection.

Dr Sarah Crowther, NHS Harrow chief executive, said: "We are keen to work more closely with school nurses and community pharmacists to make sure young people are made aware of the danger and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and what can be done about them."

STIQ campaign urges UK STI testing

13/01/2010 14:35:00

People in the UK have been encouraged to get themselves tested for sexually transmitted infections this Thursday .

January 14 is the country's first STIQ Day, launched to combat the rising levels of infection among every age group, gender, race and sexual preference.

The day's timing is no co-incidence. Many STIs take up to a fortnight to become detectable and health officials fear many people may have engaged in unprotected sex during the festive season two weeks ago.

Figures have shown a new case of chlamydia is diagnosed every five minutes, which can cause infertility if left untreated.

A STIQ spokesperson said: "More and more people in the UK are catching STIs and each year the infection rate is rising. Regardless of how old you are, if you're gay or straight, if you've had one partner or 100 - just one unprotected sexual encounter could have put you at risk of catching an STI.

"Even if you feel perfectly healthy you could still be carrying something. Often getting routinely tested is the only way that people can detect an infection - and the earlier they are tested and treated, the less chance there is of long-term damage being caused."

Mum gives out birthday STI tests

12/01/2010 09:25:03

Chlamydia tests and condoms were some of the unusual presents given out at a Newcastle 18th birthday party by a mother keen to promote safe sex.

Andrea McLafferty got the kits for her son Danny's celebrations at Kenton Social Club, where they proved quite a hit with the 150 guests.

Obtained from a local screening programme, the free kits involve sending a urine sample to a laboratory, and results can be given by text, post or telephone after a few days.

Ms McLafferty said: "I contacted The Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Chlamydia Screening Programme and we collected not only the free tests but also condoms and bags and pens advertising the service.

"We played pass the parcel and everyone got into a circle and passed parcels around which contained condoms and pregnancy tests.

"When they were unwrapped everyone cheered and Danny's friends and their parents said how it was a really good idea and helped to promote safe sex and make the teenagers more aware of sexually transmitted infections."

About one in 10 people under 25 are thought to have chlamydia, making it the UK's most common sexually transmitted infection, although it is easily treated with antibiotics.

Women 'wary' of pill side effects

11/01/2010 09:55:00

A quarter of sexually active women "take a break" from the contraceptive pill because of unwelcome side effects or fears for their future health, a study has shown.

Research on 277 women in Ireland showed 22% stopped taking the pill because they developed mood swings, while 20% blamed the contraceptive for weight gain, 12% said it made them feel depressed and 10% complained of migraines.

Worries about long-term effects stopped about 30% of women from taking the pill, and altogether more than 60% of respondents had spent some time avoiding the medication.

Waterford-based GP, Dr Eithne Brenner said: "Many women are wary about the effect the contraceptive pill has on their body."

The study was commissioned in connection with Qlaira, a new contraceptive pill distributed in Ireland by Bayer Schering. It claims to adapt to a woman's menstrual cycle by delivering different levels of the hormones oestrogen and progestion at different times of the month.

It is estimated that as many as 50% of pregnancies are unplanned in Ireland, despite the widespread availability of different contraceptive methods.

Young offender tests could cut STIs

08/01/2010 14:35:02

The number of sexually transmitted infections among young people could be reduced by introducing screening programmes in Young Offenders' Institutions (YOI), research has suggested.

Scientists at the Medical Research Council (MRC) interviewed 40 Scottish young offenders about their attitudes towards STI testing and found 24 had taken tests, with 16 of those using the readily available screening programme at the YOI.

Young men who spend time in YOIs are at greater risk of STIs due to their higher rate of sexual partner change, but infection rates have generally risen among 16-24-year-olds during the past 10 years and account for half the STI diagnoses at genitourinary medicine clinics.

Dr Katie Buston from the MRC said a screening programme would reach socially excluded young men.

"A standard opt-out screening programme would enable the diagnosis and treatment of STIs amongst this group, as well as serving as an opportunity for sexual health promotion and perhaps contact tracing," she said.

"This could reduce the prevalence of STIs in the community, in the medium and longer-term, as many of those in Young Offenders Institutions will be released back into society in a matter of months rather than years."

Chlamydia screening campaign begins

08/01/2010 09:05:06

One in five people are unaware that chlamydia can affect women's fertility, a new survey released to coincide with a sexual health advertising campaign has revealed.

Two-thirds (65%) of people do not use a condom when they have sex with a new partner for the first time, while the Populus survey of 2,000 young adults and parents also found that nine out of 10 (90%) people do not get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STI) before starting a new relationship.

However, three-quarters of young people know that chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI in England. In 2009, 60,000 people between the age of 15 and 24 tested positive for chlamydia.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families had the survey conducted to coincide with the launch of a new advertising campaign, Chlamydia: Worth Talking About. It encourages young people to be more receptive to screening for the STI and is supported by the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP).

Public health minister Gillian Merron said: "The Government's Chlamydia. Worth Talking About campaign is designed to encourage normal conversations about sexual health, relationships, contraceptive choices and protection against STIs."

Some women 'too busy' for screening

07/01/2010 09:25:06

Some women may miss cervical cancer screenings because they are too busy and not because of embarrassment or fear, according to research.

The number of women screened for cervical cancer is still lower than health professionals would like, but a study has suggested that women are not missing the tests to avoid bad news or awkward situations.

A Journal of Medical Screening study found that women who said they rarely or never voted in elections were more likely to be overdue for screening, suggesting that they may be too busy. Cancer Research UK's team found the association to be strongest in women between the ages of 26 and 44.

"With uptake of cervical screening in England still much lower than we would like, these findings suggest that overcoming practical barriers may be the most important factor in maximising cervical screening uptake," said researcher Dr Jo Waller.

"These results are encouraging. In the past, it was thought that emotional factors such as concern about embarrassment and pain were the best predictors. Minimising practical difficulties is a more achievable goal."

NHS campaign targets chlamydia

06/01/2010 14:35:00

A new campaign is encouraging young people in Derbyshire to take free chlamydia tests as part of its fight against the disease.

The £65,000 NHS drive - Dubbed "Fancy a Quickie?" - will see the tests offered to 15 to 24-year-olds across the county.

Last year 1,800 new cases of the sexually-transmitted disease were diagnosed in the area, and health officials hope that more than 30,000 youngsters will take part in 2010.

Campaign spokeswoman Maddy Robinson said: "Chlamydia is an infection which often has no symptoms and people can carry it for years without knowing.

"This campaign is about telling young people the test is quick and easy - all you have to do is pee in a pot. Your confidential results can even be sent to you by text."

Chlamydia, which is passed on during sex, is easily treated with antibiotics but can cause infertility in both men and women.

Teenagers urged to have safe sex

05/01/2010 14:35:00

Young people in Coventry are being offered the chance to win a year's supply of condoms in a bid to encourage safe sex.

They will be entered into a draw to win up to 288 condoms in return for requesting a chlamydia screening kit from the GOT IT? website.

The competition, run by Coventry's NHS Contraception and Sexual Health Service, is open to 15-24-year-olds.

Mary Martin, co-ordinator of GOT IT?, the city's chlamydia screening programme, said: "The best way to prevent yourself from coming into contact with the infection is through consistent and proper use of condoms.

"We are certainly not saying to people 'go and have sex', but if you are sexually active and not using a condom, then you are at risk and you need to be checked out.

"We target our screenings at over 16s but know that there are under 16s out there having unprotected sex and putting themselves at risk.

"There are lots of places around the city where free condoms are available to young people so what is the difference with being able to go to a free service and picking them up or getting them through a competition?"

Queen honours sexual health nurse

04/01/2010 14:35:02

A sexual health nurse has been honoured by the Queen for her services to healthcare.

Pauline Handy, based at New Croft Centre in Newcastle, was recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

The lead nurse with Newcastle and North Tyneside Community Health, working on behalf of Newcastle and North Tyneside Primary Care Trusts, has worked in Newcastle genito-urinary medicine since 1985.

She said: "During that time I have implemented training that has enabled nurses to enhance their skills and work as nurse practitioners in the genito-urinary medicine clinic in Newcastle.

"I've also worked hard to ensure that support workers are enabled to reach their potential and instigated training to enable them to acquire skills and become an invaluable part of the sexual health team."

Speaking about her place in the honours list, she said: "I am absolutely thrilled to have been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List for services to healthcare. However the award must recognise that I am only a small cog in a large wheel and without the excellent team I work with this award would not have been possible."

Highest STI screening for NHS trust

04/01/2010 09:45:00

More 15-24-year-olds have taken part in chlamydia screenings with NHS Warrington than anywhere else in the North West, it has been revealed.

By working with sexual health charity The Terrence Higgins Trust, GPs and community health providers, NHS Warrington has targeted men in its campaign to co-ordinate screening across the borough for the sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Pubs, clubs, colleges and clinics all signed up to promote and provide venues for the screening campaign, which is supported by youth services and includes a postal testing system.

Screening can lower the number of young people with chlamydia by encouraging safe sex, and NHS Warrington has helped spread the word by placing heat-sensitive stickers in men's toilets in colleges and pubs, which reveal information about how to get a free test.

The upsurge in chlamydia screening is part of the primary care trust's current promotional campaign about sexual health aimed at men and young people.

Youngsters gain chlamydia awareness

31/12/2009 09:05:04

Young people in Redbridge have been warned of the dangers of unprotected sex as part of a national scheme to lower the number of people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Health workers from NHS Redbridge are running a local version of the national Don't Get Cuffed programme after research showed chlamydia has spread to one in 10 young adults.

The STI can lead to infertility and is passed on through sexual intercourse without protection. Youngsters can also ask questions about other sexual issues such as teenage pregnancy and contraception when information is sent to all the borough's 16 to 24-year-olds in February.

Schools in Redbridge are to host five 'Free Talk' clinics to offer advice on emotional, mental, physical and sexual health in the New Year.

A NHS Redbridge spokesman said: "They are safe clinics where young people can come and talk to a healthcare professional in confidence about a whole range of issues."

Young risk pregnancies at Christmas

30/12/2009 09:35:00

Newly released figures have found that increasing numbers of teenagers are at risk of pregnancy over the Christmas holiday period.

Local health officials said teenage pregnancy rates were higher at Christmas than at any other time of year.

New data revealed that 48 girls living in Rochdale became pregnant for every 1,000.

The figures were found to be higher than the average in England and looked at girls under 18 years of age.

But despite the rise, the number of teenage pregnancies in Rochdale has declined since 1998.

Cath Hayes, Sexual Health Improvement Manager for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Community Healthcare, said: "Teenage pregnancy rates are decreasing year on year in the borough but still a high proportion are being caught out.

"The risk of becoming pregnant increases over the festive period as partying and drinking makes young people more likely to have unprotected sex. Not only could this lead to pregnancy, it also puts them at risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like Chlamydia or Gonorrhea."

Kate Kennedy, Teenage Pregnancy manager at Rochdale Borough Council said: "December and January is always a fun time of year, with lots of parties to go to but in the midst of the party season we want young people to stay safe whilst having fun.

"Get your long term contraception sorted to avoid unplanned pregnancies and always use a condom as well to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted infections. There are services open over the festive period where you can get help and advice if needed; contact them as soon as possible to get help or go to the walk in centre or your GP."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Marie Stopes International comments:
In January and February last year Marie Stopes International’s UK centres saw greater numbers of women seeking abortion services than at any other time of the year. Marie Stopes International have therefore launched the ‘Wrap it Up’ campaign, urging men and women to carry condoms and practice safe sex to stem the rise in unplanned pregnancies which takes place every year over the festive party season. Marie Stopes International’s UK centres are also offering an emergency contraceptive pill (which can be taken up to 3 days after unprotected sex) at the reduced price of £10 until January 31st 2010 or while stocks last, available to buy in advance of festive parties or following unprotected sex.

Teenage girls 'pressured' into sex

29/12/2009 09:05:05

New research has shown that around 87% of girls between 12 and 18 think their friends are having sex.

According to the study, carried out by teen magazine Sugar, many teenage schoolgirls feel pressured into having sex as a result.

The survey of 985 girls found that almost a third lie about their sex lives, while around 29% revealed their friends make them feel they should "go further" with boys.

The "big sex secret" survey, which appears in Sugar's February issue, revealed that 28% of the respondents felt pressured into "going further" sexually "because everyone else does".

However, according to the figures, just 12% said they had gone all the way themselves.

The "big sex myths" are confusing teenagers, "pressuring them into going further than they feel comfortable with", a Sugar spokeswoman said.

Kate Quail, a sex expert for the magazine, said: "It's a vicious circle. Girls often feel they have to lie about how far they've gone to keep up with their friends. And that makes other girls feel they need to go further which means more girls exaggerate, like a domino effect."

The title's editor, Annabel Brog, added: "As always, the greatest influence on teenagers remains their peers and their families."

The survey of Sugar readers was conducted by survey analysts Demographix during November 2009.

Free morning-after pills in Swansea

24/12/2009 14:35:05

Swansea's teenage girls and women have been offered free emergency contraceptives from pharmacies to reduce unwanted pregnancies over the festive period.

Lost inhibitions at Christmas and New Year parties could lead to more women accidentally falling pregnant, health bosses warned.

Girls under 16 will also be able to get the "morning-after pill" for free at 18 city pharmacies in a bid to improve access to emergency contraception, but it will not be handed out without advice from a community pharmacist.

Every woman and girl will be assessed on her suitability for the medication, according to the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.

A spokeswoman said: "At this time of the year when there is a lot of drinking and parties, the demand (for emergency contraception) is a little bit higher.

"One of the main targets are girls under the age of 16. Because of their age, they are less likely to go to see their GP or to go to a health clinic."

Breast cancer 'is several diseases'

24/12/2009 09:05:04

Research into the genetic profiles of breast cancer has left a team of scientists "astounded", it has emerged.

A new study has found that breast cancer is not a singular disease but one made up of several very different genetic codes or "genomes."

Scientists studied the DNA from 24 breast tumours, picked to include major sub-types of the disease, and were shocked by the diversity of the damage they discovered.

The findings, published in the journal Nature, found that in some cases, the genome was broken and reassembled, with some sections deleted, duplicated and reorganised.

In comparison, tumours from other patients contained DNA that was relatively undisturbed.

Study leader professor Mike Stratton, from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridgeshire, said: "We have looked at the level of the DNA sequence at just how splintered and reorganised the genome is in many breast cancers. We were, frankly, astounded at the number and complexity of rearrangements in some cancers.

"Just as important, the genomes were different from each other, with multiple distinctive patterns of rearrangement observed, supporting the view that breast cancer is not one, but several diseases."

Researchers produced "maps" of genome rearrangements using new DNA sequencing technology.

Under 25s offered Chlamydia test

23/12/2009 09:05:05

People aged between 15 and 24 in Cumbria are being offered a free chlamydia test as part of a national screening scheme.

It aims to tackle the rising number of cases of the sexually transmitted infection (STI), which can lead to infertility.

Chlamydia is the most common STI and is described as a "big problem" because it does not always carry symptoms, however it is easily treated with a course of antibiotics.

Last year, 720 people in the region tested positive for Chlamydia out of more than 9,000 people who underwent examinations.

The test is confidential and under 25s can either hand in a urine sample at a sexual health clinic or GP surgery, or it can be posted to a laboratory in an addressed envelope with the postage paid. People who test positive will be contacted and advised via their mobile phones.

Jane Muller, NHS Cumbria's associate director for public health said: "Chlamydia is a big problem as it's widespread in young people as they often don't know they've got it so continue to pass it on to new or multiple partners.

"If left untreated it can have serious long-term consequences, particularly for women where it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancies and infertility."

Families evade circumcision laws

22/12/2009 09:05:04

Experts have warned that hundreds of British schoolgirls may be subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) over Christmas as their families choose to fly them back to their country of origin to undergo the procedure.

FGM is common practice across Africa and some Middle Eastern countries, where it is considered a rite of passage for young girls and is often deemed necessary for marriage in many communities.

The practice involves the removal of external female genitalia in order to suppress sexual pleasure and to preserve girls' purity and cleanliness.

FGM is illegal in the UK and despite new legislation being introduced in 2003 to prohibit families from taking girls overseas for the procedure, many continue to flout the law which has failed to secure a conviction in the past 25 years.

Practicing families have also taken to flying in "cutters" to the UK to carry out mass procedures at "parties" of up to 20 girls in a bid to save money.

According to research by the Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD), knowledge of the health risks and of the legislation remains patchy among practising communities, while beliefs about the supposed benefits for girls remain firm.

NHS posts record screening numbers

21/12/2009 09:05:05

NHS figures have shown that a record number of women took breast screening tests in 2007-08, leading to the detection of 1,500 extra cancer cases.

According to the NHS Breast Cancer Screening Programme 2009 Annual Review, almost two million women aged 50 to 70 had mammograms over the 12 month period, a increase of 93,418 on the figures for 2006-07.

The success of the screening programme has prompted health officials to consider extending it to incorporate all women aged 47 to 73 in order to boost the turnout and detection rate.

Just over 73% of women now accept screening invitations, with women from more affluent backgrounds more likely to accept a screening invite than those from poorer backgrounds.

Professor Julietta Patnick, director of NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, said: "It's encouraging to see the growing number of women being screened for breast cancer.

"More cancers are being diagnosed by the programme and this means we are helping more women than ever before through early detection and diagnosis."

Nurses accredited for contraception

18/12/2009 09:15:04

Nurses offering Long Acting Reversible Contraceptions (LARC) like intrauterine techniques (IUTs) and subdermal contraceptive implants (SDIs) are to continue receiving accreditation.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said it would still accredit the nurses, following a review into costs.

The internal review was looking for a way in which LARC accreditation could continue to be provided, after it was revealed that the costs were not being covered by the fee charged.

It was being heavily subsided by the RCN, but now the body has announced that it will continue to provide it from April next year at a cost of £300 for members and £400 for non-members.

The cost for re-accreditation will be £150 for members and £200 for non-members.

A deadline of 28 February 2010 has been set for LARC applications to be processed.

Christmas cards warn of chlamydia

17/12/2009 14:35:04

Cards are being handed out to teenagers in Sunderland over the Christmas period warning them about the risk of chlamydia.

Those as young as 15 are being given the cards, which contain a strong message about the dangers of the sexually transmitted infection (STI), as well as details about chlamydia screening.

The cards are being handed out in schools as well as in the city centre, and will also remind teenagers they are entitled to free chlamydia screening, with the opening times for the Answers health information shop in Holmeside printed on the cards.

The clinic offers free STI testing to 15 to 24-year-olds, as part of the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Chlamydia Screening Programme. It also offers sexual health advice and contraception services.

Paula Phillips, health improvement practitioner and chlamydia lead with Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust (TPCT), said: "At this time of year, parties and alcohol can sometimes lead to increased levels of risky sexual activity so we felt it was important to get information about free chlamydia testing out there."

It is believed that around 10% of young people have chlamydia, with many unaware they have the infection as it has no symptoms. However, if left untreated it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

Parents urged to talk about sex

17/12/2009 09:05:05

A sexual health campaign has been launched in Somerset aimed at encouraging young people and parents to talk more openly about sex and relationships.

The campaign has been developed as part of a drive by the NHS and local councillors to curb the rise in teenage pregnancies in recent years by improving communication between children and parents and promoting informed decisions about sex and contraception.

Research has shown that a lack of knowledge, misinformation, poor attitudes towards sex and poor communication have hindered the region's young people from making sound decisions in their sexual relationships.

An open-day event in Yeovil, complete with NHS and Somerset County Council advisors, will take place in the New Year inviting parents and teenagers to seek professional and confidential advice about a range of topics relating to sexual health.

The campaign wants to promote more open and honest discussions about sex, relationships and contraception among 16 to 24-year-olds and their parents.

Party-goers warned of chlamydia

16/12/2009 14:35:00

Christmas party-goers have been told to be aware of their sexual health, with experts predicting the number of chlamydia cases is set to rise.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) has launched its campaign after research revealed more people have unprotected sex in December than in any other month.

This is fuelled by the large quantities of alcohol consumed at Christmas parties, where one in six young people admit to drinking three times more than usual.

An additional concern highlighted by RPSGB is that only 15.9% of 15 to 24-year-olds chose to have a chlamydia test when offered last year. This is despite an increasing number of young people being tested.

People under 25, who are in the highest risk group for chlamydia, can get free tests from many pharmacies, but more than half did not know about the service, research found.

RPSGB campaign spokesperon, community pharmacist Paul Johnson, says: "Community pharmacies are well equipped to deliver this service because they are easily accessible to young people and pharmacists are trusted healthcare professionals.

"Unfortunately chlamydia is one of the UK's most common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and if left untreated it can cause infertility. Although young people have said they would use a pharmacy for screening, the free service is quite new and there are still many who are not aware it exists."

In 75% of women and 50% of men, chlamydia has no symptoms. Those that do develop signs may not get them until several months after infection.

Fertile women prefer animated faces

16/12/2009 09:05:05

Women find flirtatious facial expressions more attractive when they are at their most fertile, a new study has found.

Dr Edward Morrison, an evolutionary psychologist from the University of Portsmouth, found that when ovulating, women tend to prefer more animated faces.

In the study, researchers produced several animated facial models that were standardised except for the expressions on their faces.

A group of 16 women was then asked to rate the different expressions from the most to the least flirtatious.

Another group of women was asked to decide which faces they found most attractive.

The researchers found that women at their most fertile consistently preferred the faces that had been labelled as flirtatious.

Dr Morrison said: "We use facial movement to interpret people's intentions, such as whether they like us or not. This allows us to allocate our mating effort appropriately."

However, movement was not the only factor, leading researcher to believe that women recognise social signs linked to mating.

The results of the study have been published in the Archives of Sexual Behaviour.

Clinic targets teenage pregnancy

15/12/2009 14:35:00

Health officials in Derbyshire have urged local teenagers to take advantage of a new drop-in centre in a bid to tackle the region's above average teenage pregnancy rate.

The £45,000 Shirebrook facility has been built to offer local teenagers a confidential and informal setting where they can undergo screening tests, pick up contraception or talk to advisors about their sexual relationships.

Paula Newbert, lead professional in sexual health at Derbyshire Community Health Services, said: "This new clinic is a great asset for Shirebrook because there isn't anything else like it around at the moment.

"Young people often don't want to make an appointment with their GP to ask a question about sex but they can just drop into this clinic and ask anything they want. It's very informal and friendly and on their way home from school.

"We know many older teenagers are having sex or want to find out more and we want them to be responsible. If they come to us then we can help them by giving them information, support, and free contraception."

The teenage pregnancy rate in Shirebrook is significantly higher than the national average while chlamydia is one of the fastest growing sexual transmitted diseases in the UK, which left untreated, can cause long-term fertility problems.

Pill pilot bid to cut pregnancies

14/12/2009 09:05:03

Two London inner-city areas with the highest teenage pregnancy rates are piloting an NHS scheme to provide the contraceptive pill to teenage girls without prescription in pharmacies.

The scheme is running in the boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth, and says Jo Holmes, a spokeswoman for Southwark PCT: "The key thing about this service is that it is in a place which is accessible to young women."

She notes that with 76 out of every thousand girls under 18 in the are becoming pregnant, they are taking a responsible approach to the reality that many teenage girls over 16 are sexually active.

Figures for England show that in 2007, 42 of every 1,000 girls under 18 became pregnant, most unintentionally, and that half of those pregnancies were terminated.

The pilot scheme comes amid warnings that the Government may not meet its target of halving teenage pregnancies by 2010, in part because many young women find it difficult to approach their family doctors.

Opponents of the pilot scheme say there was no evidence that providing the pill over the counter would make a difference.

Gene stops ovaries becoming testes

11/12/2009 14:35:00

A gene that prevents ovaries turning into testosterone-producing glands is described in research by British and German scientists published in the journal Cell.

It reveals how the gene, FoxL2, ensures that ovaries continue to function as ovaries, and may lead to a treatment for premature menopause and enable women to 'cache' eggs for use later in life.

The shows that, if the gene is switched off, ovaries begin to transform into testicles and start making the male sex hormone testosterone.

It may lead to a drug that can ovaries on 'hold', thus delaying menopause and preserving a woman's stock of eggs until she feels ready to have a family.

It might also result in a better understanding of what causes premature menopause, a condition that affects hundreds of thousands of UK women.

Alcohol risk to cancer recurrence

11/12/2009 09:05:09

Women who have previously had breast cancer are being advised to reduce their alcohol consumption, after research found it could increase the chance of the disease returning.

The study of almost 2,000 women found that just a few alcoholic drinks could increase the risk, with three to four each week creating a 1.3-fold chance of the cancer recurring.

In particular, alcohol proved a greater risk to those who drank two or more glasses of wine a day, or those who were post-menopausal or overweight.

The study found that consuming less than three alcoholic drinks each week had no causal effect.

Chief scientist Dr Marilyn Kwan, from Californian health provider Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, said: "Women previously diagnosed with breast cancer should consider limiting their consumption of alcohol to less than three drinks per week, especially women who are post-menopausal, and overweight or obese."

The findings of the study were presented at a breast cancer conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Parents talk about sex too late

10/12/2009 14:45:00

New research has suggested that parents are waiting for too long before they start talking about sex with their teenage children.

The study, which surveyed teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17, found that 40% had not had 'the chat' until after they had become sexually active.

A total of 141 parents were also surveyed about the sex-related discussions they had shared with their teens.

More than two thirds of the males questioned said they learned how to use a condom from a source other than their parents, while nearly a quarter of females admitted their parents had not discussed how to deal with resisting sexual pressure.

Other issues that were found to have been overlooked include protection against sexually transmitted diseases, and the notion of being 'ready' to have sex.

Dr Mark Schuster of Children's Hospital Boston in North America and co-author of the study says that parents "want to talk to kids but they don't know where to begin...they're afraid they'll make mistakes or don't know the facts, afraid to admit that their kids are growing up...they avoid the topic altogether."

Fife life revealed, warts and all

10/12/2009 09:05:03

Fife has the distinction of being the town in Scotland with the highest number of men with genital warts, according to a new sexual health information study.

The town also has the lowest uptake of HIV testing by men having sex with other men who were undergoing a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) screen.

The good news is that it also has the second-lowest mainland rate of syphilis among males of all ages.

The study - including rates of teenage pregnancies, abortions, fertility control and sexually transmitted diseases - provides data on the state of Scotland's sexual health.

County aims to curb chlamydia cases

09/12/2009 14:35:00

A campaign aiming to tackle a recent increase in the number of chlamydia cases among 16-24 year-olds has been launched across north east Essex.

The local NHS Trust is encouraging the county's youngsters to take a free test as part of its ongoing campaign to curb the spread of the sexually transmitted infection, which is often left undiagnosed due to its lack of identifiable symptoms.

Health officials are targeting local venues such as cinemas in a bid to raise awareness of the threat posed by the infection, which is easily treated but potentially serious for those who are unaware they have it.

Although chlamydia is symptom-free, it can cause chronic pelvic pain and infertility if left untreated.

Krishna Ramkhelawon, Consultant in Public Health at NHS North East Essex, said: "We are offering a £5 Odeon cinema voucher as an added incentive to get people to take a test locally. If the incentive helps prevent us storing up problems in the future which will cost the NHS a lot more money to sort out than a course of antibiotics today, it will be money well spent whilst maintaining residents' well-being."

Online game targets safe sex habits

09/12/2009 09:05:07

An online game in which players can control the situation in which their two virtual characters have sex, including their method of contraception, has been launched by a leading Irish teenage pregnancy agency.

The role-playing game 'A Night to Remember', released by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, allows players to choose to be either 'Paul' or 'Emma' as they meet in a nightclub and decide to take things further. The game aims to simulate the experiences of thousands of 18-25 year olds in a bid to explore the questions that need to be answered in order to lead a healthy sex life and promote the correct and consistent use of contraception.

Players are even encouraged to reverse roles in order to gain a fresh perspective on the impact of their decisions on both parties.

Director of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, Caroline Spillane, said: “By giving users the chance to see the possible outcomes of sexual behaviour in a digital arena, the new ‘Think Contraception’ interactive drama aims to encourage sexually active adults to plan for, talk about and ultimately use contraception correctly each and every time they have sex.”

The game is available at www.thinkcontraception.ie/game.

Half of teenage girls catch STIs

08/12/2009 14:35:02

Around half of teenage girls who are sexually active are likely to catch a sexually transmitted infection (STI) within two years of the first time they have sex, according to a study.

Researchers have found that teenage girls are the most likely to contract chlamydia, gonorrhea or trichomoniasis, which are common STIs.

The study followed 386 girls aged between 14 to 17 for up to eight years, and found that half had at least one of the three common infections in the two years after becoming sexually active. A quarter had contracted an STI by the age of 15, usually Chlamydia.

The number of STI infections seen at Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinics in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rose from 669,291 in 1991 to 1,332,910 in 2001, with young women under 20 particularly susceptible.

Dr. Wanzhu Tu, of Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis said: "Repeated infections are very common. Within 4 to 6 months (depending on the organism) after treatment of the previous infection, a quarter of the women were re-infected with the same organism.

"These young women are vulnerable to STIs, but because of their younger age, they may not be perceived by health care providers as having an STI risk, and thus are not screened in a timely manner."

The findings highlight the importance of early STI screening and treatment. "For urban adolescent women, STI screening (especially for chlamydia) should begin within one year after first intercourse and infected individuals should be retested frequently, preferably every 3 to 4 months," Tu said.

Revellers urged to carry a condom

08/12/2009 09:05:05

'If you’re going to get drunk this Christmas carry a condom' is the message from sexual-health charity Marie Stopes International (MSI).

It cites a survey of young adults showing that one in five have had sex with someone they had just met after drinking too much at a party.

Half admitted that they would not have done so if they had been sober, two in five regretted it the morning after, and three-quarters said they were so drunk they were “out of it”.

As a result of the survey, MSI has launched a Wrap it Up campaign that urges men and women to carry condoms and practice safe sex.

This is not just to stem the rise in unplanned pregnancies that takes place every year over the Christmas party season, but is also an attempt to reduce sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The organisation’s UK centres are also offering an emergency contraceptive pill - it can be taken up to three days after unprotected sex - for £10 until January 31 next year.

Says MSI spokeswoman Lindsay Davey: “Marie Stopes International is encouraging all revellers this year to ‘wrap it up’ for Christmas.

“If going to a party, take condoms with you, and if you are going to have sex, please play safe. Condoms are the only method which protect against both unplanned pregnancy and STIs.”

MSI provides a nationwide network of sexual-health clinics that provide information, advice and professional care to 100,000 men and women a year.

Services include contraception, pregnancy counselling, abortion information and advice and health screening for men and women, and company health screening.

Concern at repeat abortion figures

07/12/2009 09:35:00

The high number of women undergoing more than one abortion has prompted renewed concern about the effectiveness of UK sexual health policy.

Official figures, revealed in parliamentary answers from the Department of Health, showed that more than 5,000 women under 20 had had an abortion for at least the second time in 2008. Conservative shadow health minister Anne Milton was told 5,218 women under 20 in England and a further 15,029 aged between 20 and 24 had another abortion. All those involved were single.

Former nurse Ms Milton described the statistics as "a huge concern" .

She said: "Why is it that we are not able to reduce the number of young girls who not only end up with one unwanted pregnancy, but then just go back and have another?"

Figures from the NHS show approximately 3,800 women have had four or more abortions, and that about a third of 2008's 195,296 terminations in England and Wales were repeat abortions.

The findings were proof that young people require "continuous and consistent sex education"., said Tony Kerridge from Marie Stopes International.

He added: "It's not rocket science. You only have to look at Scandinavian countries, where the abortion rate is lowest and the age of first sexual encounter is highest, to see what a massive difference it makes to have compulsory sex education for every child from a young age."

(Department of Health)

GP ‘bias’ on lesbian sexual health

04/12/2009 14:35:02

Fears that GPs are biased regarding the sexual health of lesbians have been voiced in a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care.

It cites one doctor as believing that screening for cervical cancer is not necessary for lesbians, and another not knowing that STDs could be passed between lesbians.

Meanwhile, one group was reportedly told that lesbianism is just a phase experienced by the young, and another that being lesbian is actually the cause of illnesses and complaints.

Says Dr Kirsti Malterud: “The study concludes that doctors should be informed about the implications of heteronormativity and be attentive to the significance and vulnerability of disclosure.

“It is good practice to use gender-neutral language and meet new patients with an open mind towards the question of sexual orientation.

“Medical knowledge about lesbian women should include gynaecological and sexual health issues, but – above all – the effects of marginalisation on health, well-being and identity.”

The study - Lesbian Women’s Experiences with Health Care: A Qualitative Study - is based on the detailed histories of 128 lesbians living in Norway.

(Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care)

Teen sexual health toolkit launched

03/12/2009 14:35:03

A new toolkit has been launched to support primary care adolescent and sexual health professionals in facilitating productive and meaningful consultations with teenagers about sexuality and contraception.

The ‘Engaging Teenagers about Contraception’ toolkit has been developed by a group of sexual health experts and follows insights gleaned from both quantitative and qualitative research with teenagers.

The Bayer Schering Pharma-sponsored toolkit was introduced at the Current Choices conference, run by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare.

The research investigated the experiences of teenagers when engaging with healthcare professionals about contraception and also their general attitudes to sexual health.

Researchers found there is a lack of awareness among teenagers about the range of contraceptive options available. Despite there being 15 different types of contraception on offer, 57.1% thought there were only five to eight.

The team also discovered that the ‘fear of embarrassment’ is the most common barrier preventing teenagers talking to their GP.

Although 69% view doctors as the most trusted source of information on contraception, only 56% felt comfortable discussing contraception with them.

Dr Paula Briggs, lead clinician at the community sexual health service ISIS (Improving Sexual health In Sefton), said: “The toolkit provides a host of practical tips for GPs and sexual health professionals, ranging from advice on active listening, to recommending that teenagers are shown examples of contraceptives so they can see the actual size of different types, such as the IUD or implant. It also provides a list of available resources that we and teenagers will find useful.”

The toolkit will be provided to all PCTs and health authorities in the United Kingdom for onward distribution to GP surgeries and sexual health and contraception services. Copies of the toolkit are also available free of charge by emailing womenshealthuk@bayerhealthcare.com.

Tayside 'worst' for sexual health

03/12/2009 09:05:03

NHS health bosses for the Tayside region of Scotland are determined to reverse the area's poor sexual health record.

The region, which has nearby Dundee as the country's teen pregnancy capital, has topped league tables for rates of sexually transmitted infections, abortion and teen pregnancy.

According to new figures published by Health Protection Scotland, Tayside has the highest abortion rate among women aged under 25, at around 28 terminations per 1000 women in 2008.

The area's shocking sexual health record has so far failed to improve despite staunch efforts from schools and GPs to promote safer sex.

Tayside had the highest STI rates in people under 25, with around 2100 men and 2800 women diagnosed per 100,000 population.

Also top of the list in the Tayside board area was genital chlamydia, which undiagnosed can cause infertility in women, with 420 women and 360 men per 100,000 diagnosed in 2008.

Figures also show that Tayside still tops the table for teenage pregnancy, with around 75 per 1000 young women conceiving in 2007.

Ann Eriksen, NHS Tayside Commissioner for Sexual Health, said the statistics were “disappointing” but said the health board was working hard to turn things around.

She said: “Reducing teenage pregnancies, STIs and abortions amongst young people remains very much a priority for NHS Tayside.”

(NHS Tayside)

STD test invites via Bluetooth

02/12/2009 14:35:00

Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney have utilised mobile phone technology in a bid to invite young people across the region to take a free chlamydia test.

A Bluetooth-equipped van will patrol the streets of Great Yarmouth and Waveney, where infection rates are particularly high, transmitting digital invitations to 18-24 year olds. The scheme will be rolled out over the coming weeks as part of a strategy to curb the spread of the disease which one in 12 people in the UK are infected with.

As well as digital messages, health officials will also send out written invitations to young people who may be at risk of becoming infected or who may already be infected as part of their 'Are you getting it?' campaign.

Allison Chaplin, commissioning manager for sexual health from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: "The van will be travelling the streets and sending messages out to mobile phones through bluetooth in the hope we reach as many people as possible.

"We are also writing to everyone aged between 18 and 24 asking them to take advantage of this opportunity and have the test."

Youngsters from the age of 15 can order a test online through the chlamydia website www.areyougettingit.com or by texting "screen" to 80010 or by phoning 01603 221830.

(Are you getting it?)

BV revealed to be an STD

02/12/2009 09:15:09

New research has revealed that bacterial vaginosis - an infection caused by an imbalance of "good" and "bad" bacteria in the vagina - may be a sexually transmitted disease.

A number of studies have thrown into doubt the exact cause of the infection, however, a recent study among college women found that "virginal" women - those with no sexual experience at all - had no signs of bacterial vaginosis (BV) as opposed to those who had had intercourse (6%) and those who reported other forms of sexual activity, including oral sex and hand-genital contact (4%).

Researchers also found that women who had slept with more than three sexual partners in the past year saw their risk of infection increase sevenfold in comparison to those who had reported having less than three sexual partners.

Dr Katherine A. Fethers, of the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in Victoria, who led the research said: "It does appear, on the balance of probabilities, that BV is likely to be a sexually transmitted condition."

However, there is still confusion over which specific pathogen causes BV and whether it is contracted naturally or through sexual activity.

(NHS Choices)

UK HIV rate 'highest in Europe'

01/12/2009 14:35:00

A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that HIV rates in the UK are among the highest in Europe.

The study, conducted by the WHO regional office for Europe and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, has been released to coincide with World Aids Day and has shown a marked increase in the diagnosis rate of HIV in Europe between 2000 and 2008.

Almost 51,600 people were newly diagnosed as infected with HIV in 2008, with the most common form of infection in western and central Europe being sex between men, followed by heterosexual contact while injected drug use dominates in the East.

Elsewhere on the continent, almost half of newly diagnosed cases of HIV were in eastern Europe where the rate stands at 179 per million people - almost double the rate in the west and 10 times that of central Europe.

Causes of infection varied also, with homosexual sex the main method of transmission of infection in central and western Europe, followed by heterosexual sex.

Dr Nata Menabde, deputy regional director of the WHO regional office for Europe, said: "Good surveillance systems and better and more accurate data collection, will help us control the HIV epidemic by planning appropriate measures to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support."

Another 7,565 people were diagnosed with Aids, bringing the total number with the disease to 342,768.

(World Aids Day 2009)

Abortion guidance to be withdrawn

01/12/2009 09:05:10

Guidance on abortion issued by the Government in Northern Ireland to make the position of health workers clearer is to be withdrawn after a High Court ruling.

A judge ruled that the advice offered by the Government was misleading and in some cases could lead to unlawful practices.

In Northern Ireland, abortion is illegal, unless the life or mental wellbeing of the mother is at risk.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) started the High Court case because it believed the guidance did not reflect the law.

Lord Justice Girvan found that two aspects of the guidance could be seen as misleading, namely advice on counselling and conscientious objection, and ordered that it be withdrawn.

However, it has not been quashed altogether, despite further clarity being needed on the two points. Lord Justice Girvan found that the guidance on when termination was lawful was correct on a number of matters.

Points that are to be revised include the statement that non-directive counselling should be available to women before, during and after termination of pregnancy. This is because the judge said it could lead to unlawful counselling procedures, such as referring women to abortion services elsewhere in the UK.

The document's guidance on conscientious objection will also be clarified, after the judge ruled that the language used was ambiguous and could leave medical staff unclear what is expected of them.

Doctors and other staff members have the right to refuse to take part in abortion procedures.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Marie Stopes International, as a member of Voice for Choice, issued the following statement:

Reacting to the ruling by Lord Justice Girvan in the High Court in Belfast, granting the withdrawal of the Guidance document on abortion from the DHSSPS following a Judicial Review instigated by SPUC, Marge Berer, the chair of Voice for Choice, the national coalition of organisations in the UK who campaign for a woman’s choice on abortion, said:

“This ruling is unjust. It further reinforces the inequity of abortion care between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. Women in Northern Ireland are being greatly disadvantaged by it and health professionals supporting them badly let down. It is unacceptable yet again to have the vacuum that the withdrawal of this guidance will leave. We would urge the Department to challenge the ruling and re-write the Guidance as soon as possible.”

Chlamydia tests offered at schools

30/11/2009 14:35:03

Pupils at three schools in Bridgwater, Somerset, are being offered tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as part of an NHS programme.

Health clinics at East Bridgwater Community School, Robert Blake Science College and Chilton Trinity Technology College are offering tests for Chlamydia to final-year students.

Sara Dove, Chlamydia screening service manager for NHS Somerset said it was important to allow pupils who are sexually active to be tested.

She said: "Our programme targets 16 to 24-year-olds, so their year 11 students fall within the range. It is important these people don't get missed out."

She added: "It is a positive step forward. Some of the girls and boys will be sexually active and it is important they are being given information and if they want a test they can have one."

Chlamydia, the most common STI in the UK, can easily be treated, but often has no symptoms. If it goes undetected, it can affect both male and female fertility.

More talk on contraception urged

30/11/2009 09:05:10

Young people are being advised to talk more openly about sex and contraception in a campaign to reduce the UK rate of teenage pregnancies, reportedly the highest in Europe.

A study has found that a quarter of 16 to 24-year-olds never discuss contraception with their partners, and that one in five also feels awkward discussing it with friends.

Meanwhile, half of younger women do not realise they may not be using the contraceptive "fit" for their age and lifestyle.

The campaign - Contraception. Worth Talking About - centres on research showing that a lack of understanding and effective communication mean a Government target to halve teenage pregnancies by 2010 is unlikely to be met.

Data shows there were 42 conceptions per 1,000 15 to 17-year-olds in 2007 - up from 41 the previous year.

Says public health minister Gillan Merron: "There is a method of contraception to suit the lifestyle of everyone, and it's right to talk about these options."

“Marie Stopes International welcomes the new national campaign to promote more open and honest discussions about sex, relationships and contraception among 16 to 24 year olds and their parents.

At Marie Stopes International’s UK clinics we often see young people seeking information and services following unprotected sex, resulting in an unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection. We hope that the first phase of the Government’s campaign, ‘Contraception. Worth Talking About’, will encourage younger people to talk more openly about their contraceptive options, and find a method to best suit their individual needs and circumstances, enabling them to practice safer sex.

The Government has made progress in improving the sexual health of teenagers over recent years, with the 2008 abortion statistics from the Department of Health showing a drop in the under-18 abortion rate from 2007, and with a recent move to make sex and relationships education a compulsory part of the national curriculum. However, the good work needs to persist, since young people continue to be bombarded with sexual images via the television, the internet and even computer games, many of which include negative stereotypes around gender, relationships and sex.

To combat stereotypes, relevant Government departments and healthcare professionals need to work together on sexual health campaigns to normalise conversations about sexual health and to provide young people with consistent, accurate and factual information about relationships, emotions, sexual health and sexuality. This will assist young people to be understanding and tolerant to others, and not to be discriminated against themselves. It may also assist them in resisting pressure and coercion to engage in sexual relationships before they are ready.

Parents also have a vital role to play in educating their children about fulfilling relationships and safe sex practices before they become sexually active. Many adults find it difficult to talk to their children about sex, but the new Government campaign may assist parents and help them to feel more comfortable in promoting an open attitude towards sex-related conversations, to ensure their children approach them for advice if needed.

Prevention is better than cure, and the evidence is clear that when men and women of all ages are able to talk about sex, and are provided with information and access to a variety of contraceptive methods, real reductions in sexually transmitted infections rates, and unintended pregnancy (and consequently abortion) rates, can be achieved.”

Concern over late HIV diagnoses

27/11/2009 14:35:00

The late diagnosis of a third of UK HIV-positive adults last year means they missed vital early treatment that might extend their lives, says the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

It reports that of 7,298 new diagnoses, 32% had a CD4 cell count of <200 per mm3, a point at which treatment should already have begun.

The British HIV Association says that patients should receive treatment when their CD4 count reaches <350 rather than wait until it falls to <200. A 'clean' count for men is 400 to 1200, and 500 to 1600 for women.

The HPA notes that 100,000 more people were tested at genitor-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics in 2008 than the previous year's 850,000. In 2004, 23% of visitors to a GUM clinic were not tested.

Says Dr Valerie Delpech, an HIV expert at the Health Protection Agency: "We need to continually reinforce the safe sex message - that using a condom with all new or casual sexual partners is the surest way to ensure you do not become infected with a serious sexually transmitted infection such as HIV."

'HRT has low cardiovascular risk'

25/11/2009 14:35:00

Women going through menopause should be warned about the reality of cardiovascular disease, which kills more women than any other illness in the Western world, the International Menopause Society (IMS) has said.

In a statement following a meeting in Italy this year, the society said women were not given enough information about it, even though research indicates they have a slightly increased risk of developing the disease after they turn 60.

IMS wants women to know that they should not be put off asking doctors about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because its association with venous thromboembolism is only slight.

According to Peter Collins, professor of clinical cardiology at the UK's National Heart and Lung Institute, HRT actually has a "slightly beneficial effect" on the cardiovascular system if taken between the ages of 50 and 59.

There is "little evidence" for any negative cardiovascular effects in reasonably healthy women who take HRT to relieve menopausal symptoms.

He said: "If you take HRT 10 years after the menopause, it appears to have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system, but it is important to note, as the WHI indicated when re-analysing its data, this negative effect is of marginal significance."

Call to enhance NHS HIV services

25/11/2009 09:05:06

People with HIV should be given a larger role in policy formulation and treatment, a Government review says.

The Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV acknowledged huge strides had been made in the last 20 years, but claimed more could be done to provide for the changing needs of people with HIV.

Among the issues raised, the report explained that the introduction of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy meant people with Aids were living longer - a fact that posed potential financial problems for the NHS.

The report makes recommendations in six areas: achieving a national cross-governmental overview of HIV, addressing the needs of people living with HIV, improving prevention, testing and health improvement, a co-ordinated approach to evidence and dissemination to improve understanding, addressing stigma and discrimination and improving services.

Derek Bodell, the group's deputy chair, said the Government should take immediate action in improving prevention and testing, in implementing a co-ordinated awareness-raising campaign and in addressing the needs of HIV sufferers to head off this potential financial crisis.

"We have been successful in the past because there has been consistent planning, co-ordination, listening and a dialogue across all groups involved in the field. This now needs to be increased again in order to make a significant impact on England's current response to HIV," he said.

Report highlights youth STI risk

24/11/2009 14:35:00

Young people in Scotland are more likely than any other age group to be diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

A study by the Scottish NHS showed that people under the age of 25 account for 72% of chlamydia cases, 59% of genital wart patients and 61% of gonorrhoea sufferers, even though they make up just 13% of the population.

Shirley Fraser, health improvement programme manager at NHS Health Scotland, said: "While we are seeing a rise in STIs, especially in young people under 19, much of this is due to our continued efforts to improve access to services as promoted by our sexual health strategy, Respect and Responsibility.

"However, we cannot be complacent and we will continue to promote positive sexual wellbeing, including consistent and accurate use of condoms and longer lasting contraception."

The report also claimed that while the number of teenage abortions had remained largely stable in the past ten years, there was strong evidence to suggest a link between deprivation and a higher rate of teenage pregnancy.

50 Cent drops sexual health campaign

24/11/2009 09:35:00

Rapper 50 Cent has said his plans for a worldwide sexual health campaign have had to be scrapped after his design for an innovative new condom failed to meet his scientific specifications.

The artist has hoped to market his own brand of contraception in the UK which had been designed to enhance users' sexual pleasure by using chemicals in the condom to boost men's performance - but the concept failed because scientists couldn't come up with a viable prototype.

The In The Club rapper had planned to use the new condom to launch a new safe sex initiative that would rival the current Wrap It Up ad campaign, which he feels is no longer having the same impact on young people.

"I was looking for the opportunity to create a new safe sex campaign. The Wrap It Up campaign is something that is used so often, it wasn't effective anymore. So I thought this is a great opportunity for me to get involved," he said, according to WENN.

"But it just didn't work out because I wanted things in it that wouldn't work. I wanted things that would prolong sexual performance. You could just put it on and just go."

Chlamydia testing for nightclub

23/11/2009 14:35:00

NHS Worcestershire has announced plans to offer free chlamydia screening at a nightclub - handing out glow sticks and t-shirts in return.

The scheme, to be featured at Tribe in Kidderminster, will see clubbers carry-out a self-administered test, after which they will be contacted if found positive for the sexually transmitted infection.

Trust bosses hope the initiative will cut chlamydia rates, which have increased in recent years because the infection often shows no symptoms.

Amy Burnage, of Moo Moo Youth Marketing, which is running the campaign, said: "This means individuals can take a screen and not lose their street cred, by saying they only did it for the freebie.

"One clubber said that while they only did the screen to get a T shirt, they were quickly able to receive treatment when they were informed via text that they had been found positive for Chlamydia."

New hope for breast cancer patients

20/11/2009 14:35:00

Scientists have discovered a way of blocking an enzyme related to the development of breast cancer.

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is responsible for stiffening collagen in the breast, which causes a physical change in tissue and, in turn, makes the development of cancer more likely, the Institute of Cancer Research says.

The knowledge has been used to detect the condition in the past, but researchers are hopeful the new study could eventually lead to a treatment.

Study leader Dr Janine Erler said: "The enzyme triggers a clear physical change in breast tissue and, if we could stop this happening, we expect it would slow the growth of any cancers that did develop and make them easier to eradicate."

Professor Valerie Weaver of the University of California in San Francisco, who was also part of the team, added: "This study may also help explain why the rate of breast cancer increases dramatically with age - aged tissues are stiffer and contain higher levels of abnormal collagen cross-links.

"I'm cautiously optimistic. We still have a lot more work to do, but this is certainly exciting."

Survey highlights STI ignorance

20/11/2009 09:15:03

Around 11% of people think standing up during sex prevents a woman from becoming pregnant, a Government poll claims.

The survey, carried out by the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, also showed that almost 20% of respondents thought a woman could not get pregnant while on her period.

An unwillingness to talk about sexually transmitted infections was also shown to be a cause for concern, with almost one in three admitting to never discussing sexual health with their partner.

Around one in five people say they chat about sex without actually saying what is on their mind and 62% turn the discussion into a joke.

Nevertheless, 77% said they would give a friend advice on a sexual health dilemma, even if they were unsure of their facts.

Sex and relationships expert Dr Pam Spurr said: "I'm encouraged to see that we've overcome a long-held aversion to talking about sex, but we've still got some way to go before we swap jokes and banter for the open, honest and informed conversations about sexual health and relationships that most of us would like."

Advert tries to dispel HIV myths

19/11/2009 14:35:02

A tongue-in-cheek advert, starring Konnie Huq, aims to tackle prejudices held by young people about those with HIV and Aids.

In the run-up to World Aids Day on December 1, the British Red Cross (BRC) created the 60-second video, which features the former Blue Peter presenter as a seductress.

In the video, Huq sits on a bar stool, asking: "If I had HIV, what would it take to get you to kiss me?"

Huq then runs through a set of measures, such as shaving her tongue and wearing a chemical hazard suit, as she attempts to convince viewers to kiss her.

Research by the BRC found that while 85% of 15-25 year-olds people knew it is not possible to contract HIV from a kiss, 69% still said they would not kiss someone HIV positive.

The presenter said: "The video is a light-hearted way of challenging some of the negative assumptions people hold and hopefully forcing them to rethink."

Alyson Lewis, health and care team leader at the BRC, said: "The video also acts as a call to action to young people to encourage them to sign up as peer educators."

Study could 'improve' radiotherapy

19/11/2009 09:05:07

A £160,000 grant to develop a genetically-targeted breast cancer treatment has been awarded to Queen's University Belfast.

The money was given to Professor Kevin Prise and his team after they discovered that a number of genes worked together to repair DNA damage caused by radiotherapy.

He now plans to expose cancer cells to high levels of radiation in the laboratory to see why this is happening.

Breast Cancer Campaign, the charity that awarded the grant, are hopeful the research could one day be used to create a less destructive form of treatment.

"There are many different genes which are important in both the development and treatment of breast cancer - identifying them is a vital area of research and we are delighted to be funding this project," Arlene Wilkie, director of policy at the charity, explained.

Professor Prise said: "We hope our findings will lead to methods to predict which patients will gain limited benefit from this treatment.

"The course of radiotherapy could then be adapted to the individual to ensure they receive a more effective dose."

Economic crisis hits Elton charity

18/11/2009 14:35:00

Sir Elton John has vowed not to let Aids fundraising "get onto the back seat" as he revealed that the economic crisis was hitting his charity.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation focusses on eliminating the stigma associated with HIV/Aids and funds HIV prevention programmes.

Now the British superstar is calling on youngsters to educate themselves on safe sex. He said: "We are finding that too many young people are not listening to what we are saying. It's a cynical thing. Every 10 years a new generation comes along and you have to re-educate them."

At the charity's annual gala in New York he said people must not give up on fighting against Aids, despite the economic downturn.

"We are in a bad time economically and everybody's vying for attention ... we mustn't let Aids get onto the back seat," he said. "It's very important that it stays in the forefront of our attention because it's a disease that's not going away. In fact it's really increasing in a lot of areas."

Proceeds from the fundraiser are to go towards helping people who are already battling the deadly virus.

Future chlamydia vaccine 'possible'

17/11/2009 14:35:00

Scientists have discovered how human bodies fight the sexually transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia, raising hopes a vaccine could be created in the next few years.

The number of confirmed UK cases jumped from 121,791 in 2007 to 123,018 in 2008, making chlamydia the most commonly diagnosed STI in the country, with most sufferers aged under 25.

Chlamydia bacteria move up towards the womb and fallopian tubes because the first white blood cells that arrive to fight the infection are not effective enough, research at the University of Gothenburg has shown.

People who contract the infection often show no symptoms but the disease can cause infertility if not treated.

Study author Ellen Marks said: "Now that we know how the body defends itself against the chlamydia bacteria, we can develop a vaccine that optimises that defence.

"We have a basic understanding of how the vaccine could work, but some work remains to be done. We believe that it will take a few years before the vaccine becomes a reality."

Last week the National Audit Office claimed a £100 million government chlamydia screening programme could have saved the NHS £17 million if run more effectively.

Drug trials find female "viagra"

17/11/2009 09:45:00

A female "viagra" could be set for the market, using a drug which failed tests for its original purpose as an antidepressant.

Flibanserin produced "significant improvements" to women's libidos, clinical trials found, but did nothing to improve mood.

The stress associated with sexual problems among women who had lost interest in sex was reduced while taking 100 milligrams of the drug, and higher levels of sexual desire were also reported, as well as an increase in "satisfactory sexual encounters".

Professor John Thorp, who led the research, said: "Flibanserin was a poor antidepressant. However, astute observers noted that it increased libido in laboratory animals and human subjects.

"It's essentially a Viagra-like drug for women in that diminished desire or libido is the most common feminine sexual problem, like erectile dysfunction is in men."

Viagra, which helps men overcome impotency, also began life with another purpose in mind. It was originally designed to treat angina, the chest pain associated with heart disease.

In the tests, a total of 1,946 pre-menopausal women aged 18 and older were treated either with flibanserin or an inactive "dummy" placebo drug for 24 weeks.

New guide to encourage HIV testing

16/11/2009 14:35:00

African communities in the UK are to be encouraged to take regular tests for HIV and sexually transmitted infections in a free guide from a sexual health charity.

The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is launching the 'Be Wise' guide, with funding from the Pan-London HIV Prevention Programme, to tackle the high rates of HIV among Africans.

The African community are the group with the highest risk of contracting HIV in the UK, with figures from 2007 showing that 40% of all new HIV diagnoses are Black Africans. The guide is designed to equip the community with the knowledge to protect themselves from HIV and other STIs.

Information in the guide includes the importance of being tested, a description of what the test involves and where to get it, as well as dispelling some myths that surround sexual health clinics.

Deputy head of health promotion at THT Marc Thompson said: "It's important that the 'Be Wise' guide doesn't just help Africans understand how the testing process works but also why they should be testing regularly. The HIV epidemic is having a significant effect on the UK's African communities today, so it's vital we make sure people have all the information they need to protect themselves."

Capital gets new cancer treatment

16/11/2009 10:45:00

A revolutionary prostate cancer treatment that reduces radiation damage to the bladder and rectum has been introduced at a London clinic.

RapidArc uses a tumour mapping system to deliver targeted cancer therapy, the result being that patients need only two minutes of treatment rather than the 20 minutes they currently face.

The Harley Street Cancer Centre, which can treat some NHS patients, is the first in the capital to install the machine - to be used in conjunction with the robotic CyberKnife system introduced earlier in the year.

Chief executive Neil Buckley said: "We now have the most comprehensive cancer care service in Europe as we treat every type of cancer for every age.

"As well as all the new technology, we are growing our network of diagnostic and treatment centres around London so that patients can get fast access to see one of our 700 top consultants closer to where they live or work."

Terrence Higgins Trust HIV campaign

13/11/2009 14:35:00

A campaign to warn young gay men how easily HIV can be transmitted during unprotected sex has been launched by the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Biology of Transmission aims to fill knowledge gaps among younger men and others new to gay sex using simple-to-understand visuals and a Ready for Action booklet.

The CHAPS campaign will also feature on posters, condom packs and wallet-sized information cards inside travelcard holders.

Marc Thompson, the trust's deputy head of health promotion said: "Many men become sexually active having left school without the basic HIV facts they need to stay safe.

"Young men have been very enthusiastic about this new campaign. With its simple language and easily understood visuals, men of all ages will benefit from hearing how HIV is transmitted and how condoms - or having non-penetrative sex - greatly reduces their risk."

Biology of Transmission is a revised version of a CHAPS campaign that first ran seven years ago and which won the 2003 Communication Excellence Award.

It has been independently evaluated as the most popular and effective of all the CHAPS campaigns. Ready for Action has received a BMA patient information award.

Pledge targets teenage pregnancies

13/11/2009 09:05:08

Reducing teenage pregnancies to combat health inequalities, child poverty and social exclusion is key Government policy, according to children's minister Dawn Primarolo.

Her pledge to continue efforts to bring down the numbers follows the publication of the Government's response to a Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (TPIAG) report.

Ministers have accepted all the report's major recommendations, she said, including compulsory sex education in schools and improving young people's access to contraception.

She said: "Teenage pregnancy is a cause and consequence of health inequalities, child poverty and social exclusion.

"Reducing rates and improving outcomes for teenage parents and their children saves money and helps young people and future generations fulfil their potential."

She said that new guidance to help teachers engage pupils about the issues is key to ensuring that young people receive the best quality of information available.

Since the launch of the Government's teenage pregnancy strategy, the under-18 conception rate has fallen by 11% and teenage conceptions leading to births have fallen by 23%, she said.

Areas that fully implement the strategy have seen the biggest falls, including Southend (26%), Oldham (29%), Calderdale (30%) and Hackney (26%).

New breast surgery method trialled

12/11/2009 14:35:02

Human trials are to begin on a surgical treatment that could allow women to regrow their breasts after a mastectomy, it has been announced.

Scientists hope the procedure could replace breast reconstructions and implants, with the first tests beginning within three to six months. Researchers in Melbourne, Australia, believe it could take three years to fully develop the technique.

A biodegradable chamber, contoured to match the natural breast shape of the woman, is inserted into the chest. It creates a space for permanent fat found in the breast to grow into.

"What we are hoping to do in the next two years is develop a biodegradable chamber so that the fat can grow inside the chamber and then the chamber will vanish naturally," said Phillip Marzella from the Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery.

"We are hoping to move on to other organs using the same principle - a chamber that protects and contains cells as they grow and they restore their normal function. So it is a pretty major leap for regenerative surgery and medicine," he added.

Every year in the UK, 46,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. And it is estimated that one in nine women in the country will be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime.

Chlamydia programme 'waste of time'

12/11/2009 09:15:04

A screening programme for the sexually-transmitted infection chlamydia has frittered away millions of pounds of taxpayers' money and was "a waste of time", say auditors.

The National Audit Office said the first four years of a strategy to cut infection rates among young people were largely pointless as lessons were not learned on how best to implement the tests.

Today, six years after the Government launched the programme, only around half of health trusts are testing enough young people to have a significant impact on chlamydia rates.

In 2003, the Government launched pilot schemes across England before rolling out the chlamydia screening programme nationally. Five years after launch, just 4.9% of 15 to 25-year-olds were being tested under the programme despite the target being 15%.

It was only when the Department of Health forced primary care trusts (PCTs) to make it a priority that testing rates increased - to 15.9% in 2008/09 against a 17% target.

A third of the £150 million allocated by the Government for the scheme has also been spent on other things by PCTs, meaning only £100 million has gone into it, the report said.

Drug helps cuts cancer recurrence

11/11/2009 14:35:00

Results from a recent study have shown that women at intermediate to high-risk of early breast cancer recurrence - given the chemotherapy drug capecitabine - had a 34% reduction in the risk of the disease returning or death, compared with those taking the combination regimen without capecitabine.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in England. Four out of every five new cases are diagnosed in women aged 50 and over, with cases peaking in the 55 to 69 age group.

The pre-planned three-year interim analysis of a randomised, prospective trial compared adjuvant capecitabine in combination with docetaxel and cyclophosphamide plus epirubicin for the treatment of early breast cancer with the standard, non-capecitabine regimen (docetaxel, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil).

The analysis also found that patients taking the capecitabine-containing regimen were significantly less likely to have their cancer spread (distant metastasis) to another part of the body (a 36% reduction in risk was observed). This is the first phase III randomised trial to report efficacy of capecitabine combination therapy in the adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer.

"Capecitabine has already been shown to be effective in patients with advanced breast cancer. In addition, these results from the study show that using a capecitabine-containing regimen in the early stages of breast cancer may offer survival benefits for women, which is a primary goal of treatment," said Professor Heikki Joensuu, Principal Investigator, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.

The analysis conducted by the Finnish Breast Cancer Group was published in The Lancet Oncology.

Labiaplasty 'potentially dangerous'

11/11/2009 09:05:03

Women have been warned against so-called 'designer vagina' operations after research claimed not enough was known about the procedure.

Scientists from University College London said further investigation was required into the long-term effects of such operations, adding there was a possibility of serious damage to nerve supply and reduced sexual function.

Researchers trawled all major databases for studies into the effects of the labiaplasty procedure, finding just 40 across the world. Only 18 recorded patient data. Of this group, details of how the study was designed was missing in 15 of the papers and the other three referred to historical data.

Writing in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the study authors said: "Women's complaints are clearly influenced by psychological factors - their feelings and expectations relating to their genitals will influence their experience of discomfort.

"In a detailed qualitative analysis, some women have admitted to strategically positioning physical symptoms to access surgery.

"These issues render verbal reports of vulval discomfort unsafe as indicators of treatment and outcome, without further clarification.

"Verbal complaints of sexual difficulties have also been cited as a reason for surgery."

Hope for cervical cancer patients

10/11/2009 09:05:03

Drugs that block the effect of oestrogen could be used to fight cervical cancer, research has suggested.

US scientists say fulvestrant and raloxifene, currently used to treat breast cancer, have been found to kill the cervical variant in mice - although there is no hard evidence they will have the same effect in humans.

"There are many similarities to how cervical cancer develops and manifests itself in women and in mice," said study leader Dr Paul Lambert, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"We have begun to test whether the drugs are as effective in treating cervical cancer in human cells as they are in our mice."

Human testing cannot begin until lab trials are complete, a process the researchers estimate could take up to two years.

While cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus, many scientists believe it is "fuelled" by oestrogen.

The disease kills in the region of 1,000 women per year in Britain.

East London excels in smear results

09/11/2009 14:35:00

The results of smear tests performed in east London are being delivered within two weeks, the latest figures have shown.

The Royal London Hospital and GP surgeries across Tower Hamlets are delivering test results within a fortnight. The facilities were part of a trial taken by 10 NHS sites across the country, with the aim of cutting the time it takes to process smear test results by 2010.

An average of 5,000 tests a month are carried out by Barts trust, which managed to get every cervical screening result back to patients within two weeks.

Even more impressively, 91% of the results were back in the hands of the patients within a week of taking the test.

Improvements to the methods used to process the results included using first-class post, printing labelling rather than handwriting to cut down on lost samples, posting results to GPs on a daily basis and using more staff training to speed up the process.

Cancer return cut by radiotherapy

09/11/2009 10:05:00

New research has shown post-surgery radiotherapy can help those suffering with breast cancer to avoid a recurrence of the disease.

The treatment benefited those with dense breast tissue the most after having lumps removed, a study of 335 patients showed.

Twenty-two per cent of women who had not undergone radiotherapy suffered a relapse over a 10-year time span - but the rate more than halved - to 10% - when sufferers did receive the treatment.

Although breast tissue density was of "minimal" significance when radiotherapy was given, the difference was marked when those with high density breast tissue did not receive the treatment.

Of those, 40% suffered a relapse within 10 years. But none of the women with low density breast tissue developed further complications after not receiving radiotherapy.

Dr Steven Narod, of the Women's College Research Institute in Toronto, said: "The composition of the breast tissue surrounding the breast cancer is important in predicting whether or not a breast cancer will return after surgery."

In the report, the authors said it was crucial to establish the cases in which radiotherapy would help.

"The findings indicate that women with low breast density, who have a low chance of recurrence after surgery, may not need radiation but that women with high breast density could significantly benefit from the additional therapy," they said.

(Women's College Research Institute)

Mandatory sex education supported

06/11/2009 14:45:00

New measures to reform sex education in England have been backed by a leading union for education professionals.

Children's secretary Ed Balls announced yesterday that sex education is to be introduced in all primary and secondary schools, with parental opt-outs only up to the age of 15.

Until now, parents have had the right to withdraw their children from all sex education at any age.

Dr Mary Bousted, General Secretary of ATL, said: "We strongly believe that PSHE education is not simply an extra subject, but that it determines the purpose of education as well as the moral vision and values we share as a society.

"Effective PSHE provision encourages pupils to investigate critically and make sense of different views and values that may affect their lives. It is also enables them to take responsibility for their own actions."

Mr Balls has said that only a "very small minority" of parents choose to exercise the right to withdraw.

"What's happened over the past few decades is that the English courts have been saying it is important to strike a balance of the capacity of the young person to make their own decisions and the rights of the parents," he said.

Poll shows sex education confusion

06/11/2009 09:05:08

Around two-thirds of Bristol parents believe their teenagers have no desire to discuss sex, a survey has revealed.

The Bristol Teenage Pregnancy Partnership (BTTP) says their research reveals a huge gap between the amount of information adolescents want about sex and the amount they actually receive, with teenagers increasingly turning to the internet, friends and the media instead of talking to family members.

The poll also shows that, despite parental ignorance, families believe they should be the main source of information for sex education, with 93% of those polled saying they wanted more support in teaching their children about reproductive health.

Armed with this knowledge, the BTTP has launched a campaign to get parents talking about the potentially awkward subject by producing leaflets, setting-up a website and pledging to establish parenting support groups by 2010.

Anne Colquhoun, teenage pregnancy strategy coordinator, said: "We know that about 1 in 20 girls under 18 get pregnant each year in Bristol and this campaign is a crucial part of our strategy to reduce these rates.

"The role parents play is incredibly important and we hope that the resources that are now available will support parents to start and continue conversations with their children."

Sex education compulsory after 15

05/11/2009 14:35:00

Parents will lose the right to withdraw children from sex education classes when they turn 15, the Schools Secretary has announced.

The move, to be extended to faith schools, means teenagers will receive one year of compulsory sex education classes before they become 16 - the legal age of consent.

Current rules allow parents to remove their child from Personal, Social, Health and Economic education up until the age of 19.

Mr Balls said very few had chosen to exercise this right, adding that the new regulations would be enshrined in legislation and would apply from September 2011.

Under the new curriculum, pupils as young as seven will learn about puberty and five-year-olds will be taught about parts of the body, relationships and the effects of drugs.

Once they reach secondary school, pupils will learn about contraception, HIV and Aids, pregnancy and different kinds of relationships - including same sex unions and civil partnerships.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Marie Stopes International comments:

Today’s confirmation that personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education will be made compulsory in schools from September 2011 (subject to the will of Parliament) represents a victory for common sense and is warmly welcomed by Marie Stopes International.

PSHE gives young people the information they need to make choices about a range of real-life issues including sex and relationships. The decision to ensure that pupils gain at least one year’s compulsory sex and relationship education, whatever school they attend, will help to end the unacceptable situation which sees numbers of young, sexually active adults made vulnerable to unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases simply because they have not been given the information they need to protect themselves and make informed choices in their sexual lives.

This decision should also help to reduce the unacceptably high rates of teenage conception – the highest in Western Europe – and halt the rapid spread of sexually transmitted infections among this age group.

Drug 'safely kills' cancer cells

05/11/2009 12:09:10

Israeli scientists have taken a step closer to the holy grail of cancer treatment - the ability to destroy mutated cells without harming healthy counterparts.

The team demonstrated that a drug therapy already used to treat genetic breast cancer could also be used to kill other forms of the condition without damaging normal cells.

Professor Cohen-Armon, of Tel-Aviv University, said the drug could could block an enzyme needed by all cells to thrive, but added that cancer cells seems more reliant on the particular enzyme than regular cells.

Research by British scientist Dr Alan Ashworth suggests that the treatment may be effective on other cancers, but adds that tests have only be carried out on mice and treatment is a long way off.

The news follows a global race by experts to discover an effective way of treating cancer without residual damage to surrounding cells, with innovative techniques including new drugs and special lasers all being considered.

Pilot GP schemes to test for HIV

04/11/2009 14:35:00

Government health chief Sir Liam Donaldson has confirmed the launch of pilot schemes aimed at improving the identification of patients with HIV.

The two 12-month pilot schemes are due to begin in Brighton and Hove and Lewisham in which general practices will routinely test for HIV when registering new patients.

Underling the reasons for launching the pilot schemes, which could eventually be rolled out nationwide, Sir Liam said: "Tackling HIV cannot be left to the specialists alone. HIV remains a serious and often stigmatised health condition that may deter individuals from actively seeking or being offered an HIV test."

A spokesperson said the Department of Health wanted to make HIV testing outside specialist centres a more common occurrence and would be evaluating the results of the pilots "to determine their wider implementation".

Shop vouchers boost chlamydia test

04/11/2009 09:05:04

Shopping vouchers worth £5 are being used by two NHS trusts in East Anglia to encourage 15 to 24-year-olds to take a "quick and easy" chlamydia test.

The trusts - Great Yarmouth and Waveney and Norfolk - are hoping to boost the number taking part in their Are You Getting It? campaign.

The vouchers are being offered to the first 1,000 of the trusts' combined total 116,000 15 to 24-year-olds who volunteer for the test.

Said spokeswoman Allison Chaplin: "We have launched the website www.areyougettingit.com and anyone who would like a test - and the £5 voucher - can order one through the site.

"It is believed one in 12 people have chlamydia and the test is really quick and easy to do."

Julie Hughes, NHS Norfolk's sexual health commissioning manager, added: "We are also encouraging people to take a chlamydia test every year or when changing sexual partners, just to be on the safe side.

"The kit and the test are free, it's really simple to do and apart from the chance to win a voucher you are giving yourself peace of mind."

STD home-testing pack announced

03/11/2009 14:35:00

A DIY home-testing kit for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has been launched in north-east Scotland.

NHS Grampian hopes the free packs, which are available by post, will improve access to STD checks and, in doing so, curb the risk of passing on infections.

Users return the kit in the post, after which they will be contacted by a sexual health nurse if a positive result is detected.

Dr Gillian Flett, consultant and clinical lead for NHS Grampian's Sexual Health Network, said: "Concern persists about the number of young people contracting sexually-transmitted infections.

"We are keen to ensure all sections of the community - men and women - are aware of the risks and health consequences and have easy access to testing."

Dr Steve Baguley, consultant in genitourinary medicine, said: "Once chlamydia and gonorrhoea have been diagnosed, they are easy to treat.

"But it is better to prevent an infection than to need to get one treated.

"Most people know how to avoid catching an infection - always use a condom unless you've both had a check-up."

Charity warns over screening issues

03/11/2009 09:15:05

A science charity is warning that, as well as obvious advantages, there are drawbacks to screening for diseases such as breast cancer.

There has been an increase in the publicity given to cancer-screening programmes following the death of Jade Goody from cervical cancer and pop star Kylie Minogue's breast cancer battle.

But Sense About Science said that as a result people's expectations of the benefits of screening have become unrealistic and the possible harm it can cause has been forgotten.

The charity has launched a guide, Making Sense of Screening, to set out the reasons for and against screening.

Screening for some conditions can result in overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment, according to research. For example with breast and prostate cancers, tests may reveal tumours that will never cause a problem but are still treated.

The guide also highlights the fact that while screening can identify disease in some people, it cannot prevent it.

Síle Lane, of Sense About Science, said there has been a huge rise in public concern about screening, but there is hardly any information weighing up the benefits and harms. Hedley Glencross, of the Institute of Biomedical Science, said: "Screening is often a poorly understood healthcare initiative whose benefits and limitations need to be explained."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Marie Stopes International comments:

Marie Stopes International welcomes the new guide setting out the reasons for and against screening, as it is vital that women have access to accurate information and advice to allow them to make informed choices regarding their healthcare.

In the UK, more than 1,000 women die from cervical cancer each year. Early detection and treatment of abnormal cervical cells can prevent cervical cancer developing in women, so cervical screening saves lives - it is vital that women understand the importance of cervical screening when making a decision as to whether or not to attend. We recommend that women with any concerns relating to cervical screening discuss the reasons for and against with a healthcare professional.

'Text-a-pill' scheme extension

02/11/2009 14:35:01

An initiative allowing school girls as young as 11 to send a text message for emergency contraception could be extended across Oxford, an NHS board has revealed.

Oxfordshire NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) say its is considering rolling-out the service despite the fact that it has been used by fewer than five people - none of whom were given the pill - since its introduction in July.

The scheme was set-up after health officials identified four schools in Oxford and two in Banbury as 'pregnancy hotspots', with 320 teenage pregnancies occurring in 2006 and a further 350 in 2007 in these areas.

Health chiefs say the programme, which established two drop-in centres and two telephone lines allowing teenagers to text for contraception if they had unprotected sex or believed contraception had failed, aims to cut this rise.

The trust hopes to make more people aware of the drive and increase take-up of the initiative by creating a new promotional strategy, which may make use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo.

Alex Hammond, children's services service manager at the PCT, said: "If a young person were to text in to request emergency contraceptive they would be offered a face-to-face appointment for a full clinical assessment with one of the nurses before a decision was made about whether to give it (the morning-after pill) or not."

'Third of young women have unprotected sex'

02/11/2009 09:05:03

A national survey of girls and women aged seven to 21 has revealed that many are concerned about sexually transmitted diseases but too few are taking steps to prevent them.

Girlguiding UK quizzed 1,109 girls and women aged seven to 21 on topics including sexual health, binge drinking, eating disorders, plastic surgery and body image.

It found that while those questioned were concerned about the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, more than a third of girls in the 16-21 age group admitted to having had unprotected sex.

It found that 24% of 16 to 21-year-olds would consider having cosmetic surgery, while 12% of 11 to 16-year-olds would consider having a gastric band or plastic surgery and 5% would think about Botox.

For the first time youngsters who were not members of the organisation were also quizzed.

Chief Guide Liz Burnley said: "We in guiding know that girls between seven and 21 have some pretty strong views. The results of this landmark survey show just how much they have to say on issues that affect their daily lives.

"It is part of our responsibility to the next generation to ensure that their views and opinions are counted and in our centenary year we are proud to make this contribution to the policy debate on behalf of all girls, not just our members. We hope that it will help inform decision making about how to better engage with girls and young people."

Youngsters' feedback on sex clinics

30/10/2009 09:45:00

NHS sexual health clinics in the Northampton area have been given the thumbs-down by more than half of young people quizzed in a survey.

The study found 16% of those asked found them unwelcoming and 59% felt the venues just weren't young people-friendly, with more than half saying they wouldn't use the provider again.

But it wasn't all negative, with 56% rating their overall experience as excellent or very good and 78% saying the venues were easy to locate.

The study by YWCA and commissioned by the Teenage Pregnancy Implementation Group looked at 32 venues, using young people trained to carry out the assessment as mystery shoppers.

Teenage pregnancy programme lead for NHS Northamptonshire Jane Waite said: "Reducing the number of under-18 pregnancies is one of our key targets and involving the YWCA in assessing the facilities that young people use will prove incredibly helpful.

"Each one of the facilities visited will receive individual feedback in the hope of improving the experience for young people and increasing the likelihood of them visiting and using these services in the future."

NHS clinics fulfilled youngster's clinical needs, but did not always make them feel comfortable, the research concluded.

Stars backing chlamydia campaign

29/10/2009 09:25:03

Stars from popular Bristol-based drama Skins have taken time out from filming in order to support an NHS campaign to raise awareness about chlamydia.

Two of the actors, Ollie Barbieri who plays JJ and Megan Prescott, who stars as Katie, unveiled a mural sponsored by the NHS in Stokes Croft in the city.

The new artwork is part of a week-long programme to encourage sexually active 15 to 24-year-olds to take a test for the infection.

Chlamydia is the most commonly sexually transmitted infection among that age group and the campaign is being backed up by a team who have taken to the streets of Bristol to hand out tests for the infection to young people. If caught, it can usually be treated with a short course of antibiotics.

Mr Barbieri delivered a stark message, saying: "Get tested, get treated - it's as simple as that."

Long-term contraception use up

28/10/2009 14:35:00

Figures have revealed that the number of women in Scotland opting for long-term methods of contraception such as the coil, implants or injections has increased.

The take-up for such longer lasting contraceptives rose from 40.6 per 1,000 women between 15 and 49 years in 2008 to 59.1 this year.

Conversely, figures published by the NHS in Scotland for those being sterilised revealed a long-term decline - by 67% since 2000.

Statisticians said the proportion of women taking long-acting but reversible methods of contraception in all health board areas has risen.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said the administration was committed to reducing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

"NHS Health Scotland launched a campaign earlier this year to raise awareness of longer lasting reversible contraception," she said.

"It is welcome news, therefore, that more women are choosing these methods."

Migraines double risk of stroke

28/10/2009 09:35:00

People who experience migraines with visual or sensory disturbances are twice as likely to suffer a stroke, with the risk increased if women are taking contraceptives with oestrogen.

The research published online in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), confirmed the link between migraines and a higher likelihood of stroke.

It said women were more likely to suffer a stroke compared to men, particularly if they suffered from migraines accompanied by aura (temporary visual or sensory disturbances).

A team from Harvard Medical School in the US led the study which showed a rise in the chance of stoke if people were young, a smoker and using contraceptive pills containing the hormone oestrogen.

"This increased risk is only apparent in those who have migraine with aura and not in those with migraine without aura, the relative risk being double," they said.

"In addition, the results suggest an approximately two-fold higher risk among women compared with men.

"Factors that further increased the risk of ischaemic stroke (caused by clots, accounting for 80% of strokes) were age less than 45 years, smoking, and use of oral contraceptives."

The risk was highest among young women with migraine with aura who smoked and used oestrogen-containing contraceptives

"Young women who have migraine with aura should be strongly advised to stop smoking, and methods of birth control other than oral contraceptives may be considered," the experts said.

Cervical cancer jab 'embarrassing'

27/10/2009 14:35:00

New research has shown that 25% of girls would not tell a boyfriend that they have been vaccinated with the cervical cancer jab.

Figures from the survey showed that one in five (21%) thinks the vaccine is embarrassing due to the fact it is for a sexually-transmitted infection.

A similar figure (19%) said a boyfriend may expect them to take more risks having been vaccinated, while 14% of girls responded to the survey saying they would take sexual risks in the future because they are protected.

However, the research also revealed that girls are taking their health seriously, with 79% saying the cervical cancer vaccine reminds them of the risks involved in sexual contact.

The survey of more than 500 12 and 13-year-olds was funded by GlaxoSmithKline, which makes the Cervarix vaccine currently used in a national immunisation programme.

It is the first survey to focus on girls' views of the vaccine rather than asking their parents for their thoughts.

Almost four in five girls said they discussed the decision to have the vaccine with their parents and, of those girls whose parents refused the vaccine, 42% actually wanted it.

However, one in 10 (10%) girls receiving the jab did not want it.

Dr Loretta Brabin, from the University of Manchester, led the study, which was published in the British Journal of Cancer.

She said: "Talking to their parents was massively influential on the girls, and mums and dads will play an important role in maintaining the success of the programme so far."

More Down's babies being aborted

27/10/2009 09:05:05

More Down's syndrome babies are being aborted because screening improvements mean more are being diagnosed, according to a study published online in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

It reports that while live births fell by just 1%, from 752 to 743 (1.10 to 1.08 per 1,000 births), without screening the number would have risen by 48%.

Figures show that although the proportion of couples diagnosed with a Down's syndrome pregnancy who decided to terminate has remained constant at 92%, the actual number has risen because more babies are now being diagnosed with Down's.

Meanwhile, the BMJ reports that an increasing number of older mothers is behind a 71% rise in the number of babies diagnosed with the condition, from 1,075 in 1989/90 to 1,843 in 2007/8.

A team at Queen Mary, University of London, analysed data from the Down's register for England and Wales, which holds 26,488 diagnoses made by labs that analyse chromosomal abnormalities, known as cytogenetic laboratories.

Said Joan Morris, professor of medical statistics at Queen Mary, who led the study: "It was thought that improvements in screening would lead to a decrease in the number of births with Down's syndrome. However due to increases in maternal age this has not occurred."

A bitter Pill to swallow, say women

26/10/2009 15:05:00

Weight gain - and loss - depression and fluctuating self-esteem and libido are just some of the side effects that are turning women off the Pill, according to a survey.

While it is still the most reliable and popular method of contraception - with three million, of those aged 16 to 49 (28%) on it - many complain they are not offered any alternative.

Extreme dieting, stress and environmental pollution might all be factors making the side effects worse, according to Dr Shirley Bond, a GP at the London Medical Centre.

And she agrees that "it's much easier to write a prescription than talk through the alternatives, not to mention taking the time to fit a woman for a coil".

Meanwhile, persevere with the Pill, even if you are having problems with it, said Helen Jenkins, a contraceptive and sexual-health specialist at Marie Stopes.

She said: "First, it takes a few months for most women to settle down to a particular brand. If you keep switching, it could be the case that you're never giving your body time to adjust.

"Second, although the doses in the Pill are very low, some women have a high sensitivity to artificial hormones. In this case, you should try different brands."

Scheme helps sexual health in young

26/10/2009 09:25:00

A new screening programme involving adolescents is helping doctors identify those in danger of sexual health problems.

A short questionnaire, comprising of just six questions, is being used to establish when a young person is having problems with alcohol or substance abuse.

Staff at Children's Hospital Boston use the CRAFFT scheme and are calling for others in the profession to adopt it. Recent research in the UK showed that youngsters were much more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour after drinking or taking drugs.

Dr Sharon Levy, one of the authors and a physician at the Adolescent Substance Abuse Programme at the hospital, said that CRAFFT could make a real difference if it is used in more institutions.

"Clinicians should be prepared to discuss high risk sexual behaviours with their patients along with the dangers of engaging in sexual activity while intoxicated," she said.

Researchers found that in numerous cases unprotected sex took place after youngsters had drunk alcohol or taken drugs.

Recent research at the University of Gothenburg also indicated that young boys in Sweden are not as careful about preventing the spread of Chlamydia as their female counterparts.

Alternatives to HRT not offered

23/10/2009 14:35:00

Many women going through the menopause are not being offered alternative treatments to HRT, despite concerns that the drug may be linked to cancer, according to a report.

In a survey by Phyto Soya, nearly half of the women said they had been prescribed HRT for their menopausal symptoms, with 50% saying health concerns had stopped them taking it.

But those women who choose not to take HRT are not being offered alternatives, and as many as two thirds are using no treatment at all, according to the survey.

Nearly a quarter said they had turned to natural therapies while more than a quarter said they had been forced to change their diet and lifestyle to control their symptoms.

Many of the women surveyed said they were not happy with the options being presented to them. More than half said they would have liked more information, while nearly 60% said their initial GP consultation was not good enough. More than 80% said they thought natural alternatives to HRT should be prescribed.

Dr Sarah Brewer, a private GP and specialist in nutritional medicine said: "There are clinically proven natural supplements to help address falling oestrogen levels.

"It is a real shame that this recommendation isn't coming more often from a GP or nurse practitioner - people who have looked after their medical needs all their lives."

Childhood asthma: 'No link to Pill'

23/10/2009 09:05:03

Using oral contraceptives before becoming pregnant does not necessarily raise the risk that the child will contract asthma, according to research.

Dr Mustafa Osman at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital reports that recent use of oral contraceptives has been associated with a slightly increased risk of asthma in children.

But research findings "may be due to bias, uncontrolled confounding or chance" because the children did not display characteristic features of asthma, such as eczema.

He studied previous contraceptive use among the mothers of 6,730 children with asthma and the mothers of 6,730 children without. The average age of the children was 1.6 years.

Contraceptive use was classified as: no use in the two years prior to conception; past use within two years but more than six months; and use within six months.

One third of mothers with asthmatic children reported past use and 28% reported recent use, compared with 33% and 24% of mothers with non-asthmatic children.

Says Dr Osman says that although oral contraceptives have been linked with asthma in subsequent children, "those investigations published thus far have had important methodological limitations".

Leeds 'needs better sex education'

22/10/2009 14:35:02

Sex education in schools in Leeds has not been made a big enough priority, according to the city council's health scrutiny board.

The watchdog said that some teenage girls in the city thought getting pregnant was their "best hope" in life, because they had not received enough education.

The council is investigating how to improve public health in the city, starting with sexual health, but councillors said they knew sex and relationships education had not been a priority of headteachers and governors.

John Freeman, from the Healthy Initiatives Team at Education Leeds, said headteachers were more focused on pupils' achievements and finances.

"These are the things that can lose a headteacher their job," he said. "No headteacher would ever lose their job because sex and relationship education was delivered badly in schools."

He added that Education Leeds was working to raise awareness of the topic as they did not think it was being treated as seriously as it should be.

"There are barriers and the barriers are generally to do with the willingness of senior management teams to give this the priority which I think it deserves," he added.

Advice pack for gay men with HIV

21/10/2009 14:35:01

The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has launched a sexual-health information pack for gay men recently diagnosed with HIV.

The pocket-sized What Next? guide contains information on support services provided by THT and similar organisations.

The pack includes advice on telling people you are HIV positive and how to deal with medical staff, and information on treatment and preventing transmission.

The free pack can be obtained by calling 020 7812 1783 or emailing stephen.adair@tht.org.uk, and can also be ordered in bulk by sexual-health clinics.

Says THT's Alan Wardle: "Being diagnosed with HIV can make people feel like they're on an emotional roller coaster. Many people are left feeling quite alone, or feel like they have hundreds of questions to ask.

"This pack aims to give some practical information that gay men might want after they've been diagnosed."

In 2008, 2,800 gay men in the UK were diagnosed with HIV.

Aids jab only marginally beneficial

20/10/2009 14:35:01

A new vaccine designed to protect against AIDS may only be marginally beneficial, according to the results of the first successful tests on the drug.

The study also showed that the vaccine was likely to be more effective for the general population than for those at higher risk like intravenous drug users and gay men. It is also believed that its protection may wane over time.

However, it is hoped that the results of the study will provide a starting point from which scientists can learn how to make a better vaccine.

An estimated 77,400 people were living with HIV in the UK at the end of 2007, of whom more than a quarter (28%) were unaware of their infection.

In 2008, there were 7,298 new diagnoses of HIV, contributing to a cumulative total of 105,625 cases reported by the end of June 2009.

There have been 25,470 diagnoses of AIDS in the UK, and 18,787 people diagnosed with HIV have died.

Colonel Jerome Kim, who co-led this trial said: "This study becomes a landmark. You can put it on a map and begin to figure out where you go from here."

It was announced last month, before the full results of the study were published, that a two-vaccine combination could cut the risk of HIV infection by 31%. But the full results, presented at a scientific conference in Paris, suggested only that the vaccine is beneficial and could offer no proof.

Dr Anthony Fauci, director the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who sponsored the study said the results were inconclusive because so few people became infected in the trial - only 125 out of 16,000 volunteers.

Chlamydia screening campaign hailed

20/10/2009 09:35:00

The north-east Lincolnshire chlamydia screening campaign Coast has been hailed by the Government as an example of best practice.

The service, offering chlamydia testing, advice, treatment and outreach services for the under-25s, features in a newsletter distributed across all Whitehall departments.

It notes Coast's innovative techniques used to respond to people's needs, and the fact that it handled 700 tests in the first two weeks since the campaign started.

The campaign tells young people where the nearest place is to get a test, provides free treatment, support and advice and helps trace sexual partners who may have been infected.

It follows the successful Pee 4 Pants campaign, in which young people receive underwear with a sexual health message woven into the waistband in exchange for a urine sample.

Chlamydia is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium found in the semen of men and vaginal fluids of women. It is easily passed from one person to another through unprotected sex.

https://www.coast-lincs.nhs.uk/ (Coast)

Cannabis 'makes sex last longer'

19/10/2009 14:35:01

Marijuana can help a man delay the point at which he reaches orgasm, according to a study.

Men who smoke cannabis every day are four times more likely to have 'trouble' reaching orgasm than men who do not smoke the drug, a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found.

Researchers at La Trobe University looking into the daily use of cannabis also found that daily smokers tended to experience premature ejaculation in their lives, nearly three times as often as non-smokers, leading some experts to postulate that men are self-medicating with cannabis in order to delay orgasm.

Professor Anthony Smith said: "While many male smokers experienced sexual problems, they also reported more partners than non-smokers.

"Marijuana users were twice as likely to have had two or more sex partners in the previous year than men who didn't smoke cannabis."

Of the 16 to 64-year-olds surveyed, 8.7% of respondents said they had used cannabis in the last year, with twice as many men (11.2%) reporting marijuana use as women (6.1%). People under 36 were more likely to smoke the drug than older participants.

According to research from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Britain tops the league for the most under-16s using cannabis in Europe.

Two in five 15-year-olds in the UK have tried cannabis, while about one in 10 of this age group has smoked pot at least 40 times in the last year, the BBC reports.

Chemical 'moves cancer around body'

19/10/2009 09:25:00

Cutting-edge microscopes are focussing on the effects chemical signals have on cancer cells - which may hold the key to halting secondary forms of the disease.

The chemical in the body, called transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), was looked at by a team from the Cancer Research and Breast Cancer Campaign, in relation to how it affected breast cancer cells.

The substance activates genes which make the cancer cells gravitate from the breast to a different part of the body.

Once they are there, the "signal" from the TGF stops, meaning the cells start growing in the new site, according to the research published in Nature Cell Biology.

Lead author of the study Dr Erik Sahai said: "We have used cutting-edge filming techniques to study the behaviour of cancer cells. The results helped us to find the set of genes that are behind the spread of breast cancer - and that the genes need to be first turned on and then off in order for single cancer cells to be able to 'relocate'."

Abortion details to be made public

16/10/2009 14:35:01

Figures on the number of late abortions carried out because of disabilities in unborn children and the nature of the specific defects are to be made public for the first time.

The Information Commissioner has ruled that the Government must release the information for England and Wales within the next month.

It is a victory for the the Pro Life Alliance which has fought for the information to be made publicly available for six years, after the case of a late pregnancy being terminated because of a cleft palate came to light.

Anti-abortion campaigners were outraged and the backlash led to one of the doctors involved in the case being identified.

The Department of Health's legal team had argued that the information was "sensitive, personal and private", but the Information Tribunal said the likelihood of a doctor or patient being identified from the statistics alone "is so remote that disclosure of the disputed information would not be unwarranted".

The Pro Life Alliance said: "This maintains the principles that abortion is a serious procedure and that transparency is necessary to satisfy legitimate public interest in this controversial medical practice."

GPs 'must push chlamydia screening'

16/10/2009 09:35:00

Medical staff are being urged to change their attitude to sexual health after researchers said that GPs did not promote chlamydia screening for fear of embarrassing parents.

Posters and leaflets were not prominently displayed in most of the 25 practices in England looked at in the study, while most staff did not routinely offer tests to target 15 to 24-year-olds, according to the BMC Public Health journal.

Screening for chlamydia is particularly important as it often shows no symptoms, yet can cause infertility if left untreated. Around 120,000 new cases were diagnosed last year, with two-thirds of infections found in young people, making it the most common sexual infection.

Screening is typically carried out in contraceptive clinics and GP surgeries, but has also expanded to colleges, bars and clubs in an effort to reach people who do not use sexual health services.

The programme had a target of screening 17% of the 15 to 24-year-old age group, but tested just 15.9% of the age group in 2008/09.

HPV jab may reduce genital warts

15/10/2009 14:45:00

A vaccination used in Australia to combat the human papilloma virus (HPV) has been proven to also reduce the number of new cases of genital warts.

Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine which protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 has been used in Australia since the middle of 2007. It was given free of charge to around 70% of schoolgirls and women up to the age of 28.

Since then, the number of women in Australia aged under 28 who have been diagnosed with genital warts has decreased by 25.1% per quarter. Before the vaccine was introduced, cases of genital warts in this age group had been increasing by 1.8% per quarter since 2004.

There was no reduction in the number of cases of genital warts among women older than 28 or in homosexual men, two groups who did not receive the vaccinations.

Researchers say these results demonstrate strong evidence of the effectiveness of the vaccine.

In the UK, HPV vaccine Cervarix has been introduced, but it only protects against HPV types 16 and 18, not 6 and 11, which are the types associated with genital warts.

The authors of the research said: "A rapid marked reduction in the incidence of genital warts among vaccinated women may be achievable through an HPV vaccination programme targeting women, and supports some benefit being conferred to heterosexual men."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Marie Stopes International comments:

Maries Stopes International provides the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil at our Central London and Leeds Centres. This can give protection against 4 types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV): 2 types that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases.

Although the vaccine is a great leap forward in the prevention of cervical cancer and genital warts, it is important to remember that it is not a cure-all and will only protect against certain strains of HPV; it will not protect against ALL cervical cancers. It is therefore really important for women to recognise the importance of and to attend cervical screening.

Bid to cut cervical screening age

15/10/2009 09:05:02

A cross-party attempt has been launched to persuade ministers to cut the age for cervical cancer screening in England to 20.

Tory Brooks Newmark is heading the campaign, which argues that regular screening can trace abnormalities and means the difference between life and death.

According to Mr Newmark, England is "out of step" with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by having raised the minimum screening age to 25 in 2004.

By reducing it to 20, England would be brought back into line with the rest of the UK and unnecessary deaths prevented.

Mr Newmark (Braintree) said cervical cancer was the second most common cancer in women under 35 in the UK.

"Every year over 2,800 women in Britain are diagnosed with cervical cancer and every year 1,000 will die from the disease.

"Thankfully, regular screening can detect ... the abnormalities, which if left untreated, could lead to cervical cancer. This test can quite simply make the difference between life and death," he said in the Commons.

Liberal Democrat Dr Evan Harris (Oxford W and Abingdon) opposed the Bill, saying Mr Newmark's premise was "flawed" because medical evidence suggested the Government's stance was "absolutely right".

The Bill was, however, given an unopposed formal first reading but stands no chance of becoming law due to lack of Parliamentary time.

Volunteers needed for cancer study

14/10/2009 14:35:00

Researchers need 60,000 women to take part in a new study to try to identify what factors increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

All of the women who attend an NHS breast screening programme in Greater Manchester over the next three years will be asked if they want to get involved in what will be the world's largest study to predict breast cancer risk.

Those that do will fill in questionnaires about their family medical history and lifestyles. One in six will also be asked to give a saliva DNA sample to provide information on genetic variations that are known to increase the risk of the disease.

It is hoped that the results will lead to more regular scanning of women who are deemed to be at risk.

Lead researcher Professor Gareth Evans said: "Women will be recruited by invitation only. Once we have the information we require, our researchers, through computer programming, will be able to calculate a woman's risk. All will be given the option of knowing their outcome and if it's high, advice and guidance will be offered."

The study, to be conducted by researchers from the Nightingale Centre and Genesis Prevention Centre, is being funded by a £1.59 million grant from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

The DNA sample collection kits will be provided by the Genesis Appeal, a charity dedicated to breast cancer prevention.

(The Genesis Appeal)

Student chosen to push sexual health

14/10/2009 00:00:00

Posters promoting safe sexual behaviour designed by a university undergraduate have been picked up by NHS Warrington to crack down on high-risk behaviour.

Sasha Deardon, a second year advertising student at Chester University, impressed staff at Warrington's health watchdog so much with her designs that it has decided to publish the images across the town.

Nineteen-year-old Sasha and her classmates were given the task of coming up with a plan to teach young people in the borough about the dangers of drinking excessively and having unprotected sex.

Sasha said: "It was quite a shock really to find out that my design was chosen. My lecturer said they liked the gambling theme and the message.

"I was given a brief I had to follow and I decided to do 'don't gamble by not using a condom'."

The posters show a spray of cards, with each one spelling out a letter from the word chlamydia.

"If I did it again I would probably mess around more with different ideas because I got the idea and carried straight on with it," she said.

Cervical-cancer vaccination 'safe'

13/10/2009 00:00:00

The cervical-cancer vaccine is safe despite the death of a Coventry schoolgirl earlier this year, according to health minister Gillian Merron.

Natalie Morton, 14, died from a malignant tumour in her chest, and there are no indications that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was involved.

At the opening of an inquest into Natalie's death, deputy coroner Louise Hunt agreed that there was nothing to show that the vaccine was a contributing factor.

In a written statement to MPs, Ms Merron says: "Over one million doses of the HPV vaccine have been given in the United Kingdom since the programme began, and the vaccine has an excellent safety profile.

"It is estimated that the immunisation programme will save the lives of 400 women each year. It protects against cervical cancer, and we are committed to offering girls and young women protection against it.

"The vaccine has an excellent safety profile. Parents should continue to have confidence in this vaccine and ensure their daughters are protected against developing cervical cancer in the future."

HRT 'increases breast cancer risk'

13/10/2009 00:00:00

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may trigger breast cancer, according to research published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.

The study found that women who suffered breast tenderness as a result of HRT treatment were 48% more likely to suffer from invasive cancer.

It also found women given oestrogen plus progestin HRT were three times more likely to develop the tenderness after a year, compared to those who took placebos.

All told, the trial found that HRT increased the risk of breast cancer by 26%, heart attacks by 29% and strokes by 41%. Blood-clot risk was doubled, and cardiovascular risk increased by 22%.

As a result of the findings, the trial, which had been due to run for eight years, was abandoned after five.

Says lead researcher Dr Carolyn Crandall, of the University of California, Los Angeles: "We need to figure out what makes certain women more susceptible to developing breast tenderness during hormone therapy than other women."

Sexual health focus of council TV

12/10/2009 00:00:00

Sexual health will be a major storyline of a Hollyoaks-style internet television channel soap opera to be launched by Kent County Council.

Penned by EastEnders writer Julie Wassmer, the series is set to go live on October 14, has cost over £20,000 to make over four months and centres on a student's internet dating.

The £1.2 million, council-funded on-demand broadband channel, Kent TV, is operated by Sir Bob Geldof's media company Ten Alps and was launched in September 2007.

Alan Marsh, council spokesman for public health and innovation, says the series is "a truly innovative approach to communicating with Kent's young adults about really important issues".

But says Matthew Elliott, head of the TaxPayers' Alliance: "Most young people will see through such blatant propaganda. It would be better to teach them about these issues in the classroom than try to be young and hip, reaching them by online television."

Kent County Council is one of a number of councils across the country with its own community broadband channel.

NHS Derby calls for vaccine takeup

12/10/2009 00:00:00

Teenage girls in Derby should be receiving HPV vaccines despite the recent scare caused by a 14-year-old's death, an NHS authority has said.

NHS Derby has urged concerned parents to continue to allow children to have the injection, after rigorous safety inspections.

Derby City's HPV team, which has one of the best uptake rates in the country for vaccinations with 89% of 12-13 year old girls receiving the full course of three injections, is looking to reassure young women of the vaccine's safety.

As with most vaccines, the most common side effect is mild to moderate swelling, redness and pain at the site where the injection is given. Other mild side effects, such as slightly raised temperature, sickness, dizziness, diarrhoea and muscle aches have been reported nationally.

Dr Andy Wakeman, director of public health for NHS Derby City, says: "In the UK, about 3000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and about 1000 die each year. I would urge all parents of girls in the appropriate age range to support vaccinating your daughter against this cancer."

Lynn Heffer, HPV Vaccination Coordinator, says: "By offering this vaccination we will have the opportunity to help prevent a very serious disease that affects thousands of women."

FDA panel backs HIV drug Selzentry

09/10/2009 00:00:00

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended the use of Pfizer's Selzentry as an initial treatment for HIV patients, despite continuing concerns over the level of effectiveness of the drug.

Selzentry had been approved earlier as a secondary drug for HIV-infected people who do not benefit from other antiviral treatments. But Pfizer had been seeking its use on patients who were not already under treatment to fight HIV.

In initial studies where it was compared with Sustiva, an antiviral manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Selzentry failed to prove it was at least as effective.

Of the patients who were tested, 32% given Selzentry did not show a sufficiently effective response, against 24% for Sustiva.

However, after Pfizer repeated the trials using a different method to screen participants it was able to meet the target.

Experts on the FDA panel, while voting 10-4 in favour of approving the drug as a first option for HIV patients, also raised concerns about its effectiveness.

Dr Russell Van Dyke of the Tulane University School of Medicine, said: "It's clearly an active drug, it demonstrated effectiveness. But I'm worried it's not as potent as we might like."

Children to get sex education at four

08/10/2009 00:00:00

A new sexual health and relationships curriculum, which will see children as young as four being given sex education lessons, is being introduced in Glasgow.

Children will be given lessons about body parts in P1, progressing to classes on sexually transmitted infections like HIV and Aids in S6.

The curriculum has already been tested in 13 primary and two secondary schools, where, according to Glasgow City Council, it received "overwhelming support". It will be rolled-out across the north west of the city during the current academic year, with plans to extend it to the whole city in the future.

Maureen McKenna,.service director of education, said the programme was devised to build knowledge year-on-year.

"What we have is a broad curriculum which deals with emotions, friendships, self-esteem and respect as well as physical development and sexual health," she said.

"From P1 onwards, topics and issues are introduced at an appropriate age and handled in an appropriate way. It is tailored to meet the needs and development of young people in Glasgow."

(Glasgow City Council)

Pill "could affect partner choice"

08/10/2009 00:00:00

Scientists have uncovered evidence that taking the contraceptive pill may make women less attractive to men and lead them to choose more effeminate males as partners.

Researchers at the University of Sheffield say the findings raise serious questions about the medication's impact on the ability of future generations to reproduce.

The study, published in the Trends in Ecology and Evolution journal, reviewed a wide range of existing investigations, concluding that women who did not take the pill were more attracted to competitive, 'masculine' men who were genetically dissimilar to themselves - a finding of particular interest since existing evidence suggests a link between genetic similarity and infertility, the researchers claim.

Virpi Lumma, co-author of the article, said: "The ultimate outstanding evolutionary question concerns whether the use of oral contraceptives when making mating decisions can have long-term consequences on the ability of couples to reproduce."

Plans for STI clinics in schools

07/10/2009 00:00:00

Scottish secondary school pupils could be offered free testing for sexually transmitted infections under plans announced by the Scottish Executive.

The Do the Right Thing report has proposed a programme which would install a sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic in or near all secondary schools in the country. Under the plans pupils would be offered free STI testing, condoms, pregnancy tests and sex advice.

The decision follows a successful pilot scheme in rural areas of the country.

A Government spokesperson told the Daily Record: "It is vital that young people's services are available when and where they require them.

"Where possible, services will be provided in all schools [] [and] when a school cannot provide this service, an alternative service will be provided within 20 minutes' walking distance."

The newspaper said the Scottish Conservatives are pushing for more sex education in schools to try to tackle the country's high teenage pregnancy figures but overall they support the plans.

Figures obtained recently by the Scottish Liberal Democrats revealed that the number of recorded cases of chlamydia among ten to 15-year-olds rose by 27 per cent between 2004 and 2008.

Help with symptoms of menopause

06/10/2009 00:00:00

Women who suffer menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats after breast cancer treatment could find that therapy is the solution.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help women to cope with their symptoms, and others such as lack of sleep, by teaching them techniques in breathing and how to manage stress.

In a study, 24 women who had undergone treatment for breast cancer were given six 90-minute sessions of CBT. They found that their menopausal symptoms reduced significantly in three months. The women also reported a 60% reduction in the symptoms they thought were problematic.

Psychologists Dr Eleanor Mann and Professor Myra Hunter, of King's College, London, announced the findings at the annual conference of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) in Birmingham.

Professor Hunter told the NCRI conference: "After the therapy, feelings of depression and anxiety lessened and emotional functioning and vitality improved. The women also felt less negative about hot flushes and night sweats.

"The results are very promising as significant improvements in the women were maintained at the three month follow up.

"We hope to show that cognitive behavioural therapy given in groups might help women with troublesome menopausal symptoms that develop after breast cancer treatment."

Women's education linked to health

06/10/2009 00:00:00

A woman's education influences how long she - and her partner - will live, researchers have said.

A study on 1.5 million people found a woman's level of education was more important than a man's when it came to the chance of him living a long life.

But a man's social class and income seemed to have the most impact on a woman's chances of living longer - more than the impact of her own employment.

The research, from experts at Stockholm University, examined data from the 1990 Swedish Census on 1.5 million people aged 30 to 59 who were in employment.

Information on causes of death, including from cancer and circulatory diseases like heart disease and stroke, was then examined for the following 13-year period.

Education was found to be "of great importance" through a direct influence on death rates as well as indirectly via occupation and income.

"Education may also have an indirect effect through its possible importance for choice of partner," the authors said.

They suggested that better educated women may be more aware of healthy diets and medical treatments, thereby influencing their partner's lifespan.

"Women traditionally take more responsibility for the home than men do, and, as a consequence, women's education might be more important for the family lifestyle - for example, in terms of food habits - than men's education.

"If highly educated women more easily understand the plethora of advice about healthy lifestyles, women's education could have a substantial influence on the health and mortality of the partner."

(Stockholm University)

New HIV testing guidelines unveiled

05/10/2009 00:00:00

New guidelines for HIV testing across the country have been published.

The proposals were drawn up by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, the British HIV Association, and the British Infection Society.

Predictions suggest around 77,000 people in the UK have HIV, although around a quarter are believed to be undiagnosed. And 31% are being diagnosed too late for the benefits of early diagnosis to be effective.

It is hoped the guidelines, published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, will encourage health professionals to make HIV testing routine when making a diagnosis.

Dr Adrian Palfreeman, one of the co-authors of the guidelines, said too many people in the UK are missing out on the benefits of early diagnosis.

He said: "A young person diagnosed with HIV in 2009 can expect a near normal life expectancy, but early detection is the key to achieve this. The problem is many patients are missing early diagnosis and this impacts on their chances of survival."

Men wanted for contraceptive trial

05/10/2009 00:00:00

Scientists in Scotland have appealed for couples to volunteer for a trial of a new contraceptive injection for men.

A team of researchers from the University of Edinburgh are looking to recruit 20 couples from the south east of Scotland to take part in the trial of the jab, which the scientists claim can offer better protection against pregnancy than condoms.

The injections, which contain the hormones testosterone and progesterone, are given to the men every two months to cut their sperm count. When their sperm count is sufficiently low, the men taking part in the World Health Organisation trial, would use the jabs as their method of contraception for a year.

The scientists, who stress that the effects of the injections are fully reversible, hope that the study could lead to the form of contraception becoming more widely available in the future.

Professor Richard Anderson of Edinburgh University's reproductive and development sciences division said: "If this trial is successful I imagine there would be interest in looking at marketing the injection as a male contraceptive.

"Even if not all men would be keen on an injection, there would definitely be a market to make such a treatment available."

Sexual health advice for the over 50s

02/10/2009 00:00:00

Manchester City Council has unveiled a free booklet for older people which combines dating tips and sexual health advice.

The "Guide to Good Sexual Health for the Over 50s" includes advice such as watching a "sexy movie", reading erotic books, and trying new sex positions. As well as advice on spicing up sex lives, the booklet also warns of the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. Around 5,000 booklets have been printed, at a cost of £8,000 to the tax payer.

The aim of the 40-page booklet is to "challenge prejudices by exploring sexuality, self image and relationships for the over 50s".

Critics have said money could have been spent elsewhere and highlighted the fact the city has a high number of teenage pregnancies.

But councillor Val Stevens said the aim was to make older people in Manchester feel valued. She said: "All previous work in this field has been aimed at young people."

She added: "The guide challenges the stereotypes of the public and of service providers by enabling older people to set the agenda and address issues they are concerned with."

Inquest opens into schoolgirl death

01/10/2009 00:00:00

An inquest into the death of a schoolgirl who died shortly after being given a cervical cancer vaccine is set to open at Coventry Magistrates' Court.

Natalie Morton died in hospital after collapsing at the Blue Coat Church of England School on Monday.

Results from a preliminary post-mortem examination suggested the 14-year-old had an underlying medical condition.

It is believed the condition "was likely to have caused her death".

NHS Coventry said the vaccination, Cervarix, was "most unlikely" to have caused the death of the schoolgirl, and offered its condolences to her family and friends.

It is expected the inquest will be adjourned to a future date.

Cancer jab did not kill teenager

01/10/2009 00:00:00

A Coventry teenager who died shortly after be given a cervical cancer vaccine was not killed by a reaction to the jab, it has been revealed.

Natalie Morton died from a malignant tumour in her chest, according to Deputy Coroner for Coventry Louise Hunt.

Opening and adjourning an inquest at Coventry Magistrates' Court, she said the 14-year-old had died from a tumour involving her heart and lungs.

The teenager collapsed at Blue Coat Church of England School on Monday, but died in hospital just hours after receiving the vaccination.

The vaccine's manufacturer initiated a recall of the batch of Cervarix involved as a precaution prior to the results of the post-mortem examination, but health experts have said it is safe.

Estimates show the chance of having a life-threatening reaction to the jab is one in a million, while the probability of women developing cervical cancer is around 7,400 times greater.

The Government has said the vaccine is safe and it has full confidence in the cervical cancer programme.

"Health condition" killed HPV girl

30/09/2009 00:00:00

A 14-year-old girl who died shortly after being given the cervical cancer vaccine was killed by a "serious underlying medical condition" - not the HPV injection.

Natalie Morton collapsed at Coventry's Blue Coat Church of England School on Monday and died in hospital.

Dr Caron Grainger, joint director of public health for NHS Coventry and Coventry City Council, said it was "most unlikely" she had been killed by the vaccine, adding: "The preliminary post-mortem results have revealed a serious underlying medical condition which was likely to have caused death."

Health officials have moved to ease public fears over the safety of the jab, claiming the likelihood of experiencing a severe reaction is remote - around one in a million.

"The probability of a British woman developing cervical cancer over her lifetime is one in 136, or 0.74% - that's 7,400 times greater," Philip Stevens, the director of health at the International Policy Network said.

The NHS has meanwhile quarantined the batch of vaccine in question and schools and primary care trusts have temporarily suspended the immunisation programme. Manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline has also recalled the batch for further testing.

Breast screening up-take concern

30/09/2009 00:00:00

More than one-in-four women invited to the national breast screening programme do not attend, NHS figures have revealed.

Of the 1.7 million invited in 2008, the NHS said that just 73% attended, with the body estimating that as many as 600 lives could be saved if more women took the opportunity for free screening.

Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK's director of cancer information, said: "Screening saves lives, so it's extremely worrying to see that the percentage of women going for screening is dropping."

Professor Mike Richards, the Government's national cancer director, added: "The NHS Breast Screening Programme is renowned for being one of the best in the world. Experts estimate that the service saves 1,400 lives every year, so I urge women to take part when invited."

The number of women attending the programme dropped below 70% for the fist time in January.

Charity urges against vaccine panic

29/09/2009 00:00:00

A health charity has warned against panic after a schoolgirl died shortly after receiving a cervical cancer vaccine.

Jo's Trust, which was set up by a businessman whose wife died of the disease, says the vaccine has a "good safety profile". An urgent investigation has begun into the death of the girl, 14-year-old Natalie Morton.

Miss Morton died in hospital after receiving the HPV1 Cervarix jab at her school in Coventry, but the charity urged parents not to panic and said vaccinations should continue.

However another organisation, the Family Education Trust, has warned that the long-term effectiveness of the drug was uncertain. The trust, which investigates causes and consequences of family breakdown, added that vaccination could lead to a "false sense of security" in young people.

Robert Music, director of Jo's Trust, said: "In regard to the vaccine itself, we would urge parents not to panic as a result of this. It's a vaccine that can, potentially, reduce by 70% the chances of being diagnosed with cervical cancers."

Professor Malcolm McCrae, virologist at the University of Warwick, said: "As with any medical intervention, vaccines are no different in the sense that one can, on rare occasions, see tragic consequences.

"But overall this is an extremely well-tested vaccine which has been produced in response to a critical health issue - cervical cancer, a disease responsible for almost 1,000 deaths annually in the UK."

Contraception danger for LA carriers

28/09/2009 00:00:00

Women who carry the antibody subtype 'lupus anticoagulant' (LA) are putting their health at risk by using oral contraception, a new study has found.

Scientists in the Netherlands revealed in Online First and The Lancet Neurology that women with LA have more than a 40-fold increased chance of suffering a stroke. And those taking the contraceptive pill or smoking are increasing the risk further still.

The autoimmune condition antiphospholipid syndrome mostly affects young women.

An autoantibody is an antibody that is directed against one of the individual's own proteins. Usually the immune system does not recognise the body's own proteins and cells, but when it does it can cause damage and inflammation.

Antiphospholipid syndrome occurs when the autoantibodies attach to cell membranes, interfering with the normal clotting mechanism of the blood.

The article is the work of Dr Rolf Urbanus and Dr Philip de Groot, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands, in cooperation with colleagues from the Leiden University Medical Centre.

Data from the RATIO study (Risk of Arterial Thrombosis In relation to Oral contraceptives) was used for the analysis. Between 1990 and 2001, a total of 1,006 women aged under 50 years were enrolled.

For women with LA who used oral contraceptives, the risk of serious health problems was increased more than 200-fold.

Comedian spreads sexual health message

28/09/2009 00:00:00

A primary care trust in the West Midlands is trying out a number of strategies to promote awareness of sexual health services, including employing the help of a stand-up comedian.

Coventry Primary Care Trust is seeking public opinions about the services used by NHS Coventry. To this end, it has commissioned consultants to look into existing engagement in sexual health and HIV services and determine their effectiveness.

A series of listening exercises have been set up with several groups, including students, people with learning disabilities, asylum seekers, refugees, homeless people and people with HIV.

One of the more left field strategies was to send a female stand-up to a gay nightclub in the city as a means of engaging with the public on matters of sexual health.

PCT sexual health and HIV commissioner Vivienne Parish says: "The principal purpose of the project was to consult local people on the strategy, eliciting their views, preferences and experiences.

"Using a comedian was a fun way to get across our messages to a group of people who are often hard to engage with - the comedy approach in a gay venue was greatly appreciated."

The Government's strategy for sexual health and HIV concentrates on arresting the spread of sexually transmitted infections through rapid detection and treatment. The Health Protection Agency is supporting the move by looking at ways of improving diagnostic, treatment and prevention services.

Backing for Adiana contraception

26/09/2009 00:00:00

Regulatory support for a minimally invasive new contraceptive device that blocks the fallopian tubes has been welcomed by manufacturer Hologic.

The Adiana system involves placing inserts the size of grains of rice into each tube, which then become progressively blocked as tissue grows round the inserts.

Patients are normally able to return to work within a day of the procedure. When it is confirmed after three months by a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) X-ray, the patient may then rely on it for permanent contraception.

Traditional methods of permanent contraception, such as tubal ligation, require invasive surgical procedures in hospital under general anaesthesia, with a four-day recover period.

These procedures can pose serious risks of complications, including anaesthesia-related problems and damage to organs or blood vessels.

Teenage pregnancy drive launched

25/09/2009 00:00:00

A campaign promoting sexual health and the use of contraception has been launched across the North East's universities and colleges.

The drive, which is timed to coincide with with Freshers' Week, focuses on lasting and reliable contraceptives and aims to increase knowledge of the range of contraceptive methods available and reduce rates of unintended and unwanted pregnancies.

The region has England's highest teenage pregnancy rate, with 200 under-18s becoming pregnant every month.

Fergus Neilson, of Public Health North East, said: "Increasing knowledge of the range of contraceptive methods available will be fundamental in helping us to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies."

Newcastle, Teesside, Sunderland, Stockton and Durham campuses will be visited by the campaign.

Reproductive health campaign launched

24/09/2009 00:00:00

A campaign aiming to raise £500,000 to help women with chronic gynaecological issues has been launched by a number of UK celebrities posing in high heel shoes.

The Heels that Heal campaign features the likes of Amanda Holden, Kelly Brook and Tess Daly.

Wellbeing of Women is running the campaign in order to raise funds to help women with issues such as pre-menstrual syndrome, women suffering from ovarian and cervical cancer, and those determined to get pregnant and have a healthy baby.

Famous faces including Kylie Minogue, Cheryl Cole and Sarah Brown, the Prime Minister's wife, will be selling stilettos on auction site eBay to help raise funds.

People will also be able to bid for a number of experiences, including a shopping trip with Amanda Holden, or afternoon tea with Rachel Stevens.

ONS study reveals UK fertility rate

24/09/2009 00:00:00

A study by the Office of National Statistics has shown women in their thirties have the highest fertility rate in the UK.

The survey, based on the number of live births per head according to age group, showed the total fertility rate was 1.95 children per women, the highest since 1973.

The number of babies born in England and Wales 2008 was 708,708 according to the ONS. There were 63.5 live births per 1,000 women aged between 15 and 44.

Although fertility among all age groups rose, the highest rate was for women between 30 to 34-years-old. In that age group, there were 112.3 live births per 1,000 women.

The ONS figures revealed fertility rates for women over 40 years old have dramatically increased over the last two decades. In 2008 there were 12.6 births per 1,000 women compared with just 5.1 in 1988.

The survey showed the average age of mothers (29.3) remained the same as 2007.

With 2.09 per head, women in the West Midlands had the most children, while those in the North East has the lowest, at 1.86.

Sexual calculator reveals risk rate

23/09/2009 00:00:00

A new study has revealed that the average British man or woman has indirectly slept with 2.8 million people.

A Lloydspharmacy online calculator, called "Sex Degrees of Separation" uses data collected from 6,000 adults to work out how many indirect sexual partners they may have had.

The aim of the calculator, which uses the theory based on the six degrees of separation, is to raise awareness of sexually transmitted diseases.

People enter the age range of each sexual partner, and the calculator works out the average number of sexual partners that age range has had, and repeats the process for a further five "generations" to give an overall total.

Head of sexual health at Lloydspharmacy, Clare Kerr, stressed the importance of understanding how exposed people are to sexually transmitted diseases.

She said: "When we sleep with someone, we are, in effect, not only sleeping with them, but also their previous partners and their partners' previous partners, and so on."

She added that simple sexual health checks can rectify the problem. British men on average, claim to have slept with nine partners, while women say they have slept with 6.3, giving an overall average of 7.65.

Possible relief from period pain

23/09/2009 00:00:00

Period pain is a minor annoyance for some women and unbearable agony for others, but a new way of administering painkilling medication could be more effective than oral tablets.

Researchers found coating a tampon with 10mg of ketorolac - a non-steroidal anti-inflammation medication - and inserting it into the vagina was more efficient and produced fewer side effects than taking 10mg of ketorolac (Toradol®) through the mouth.

Study presenter Giovanni M. Pauletti, associate professor at the University of Cincinnati, said: "The goal of our study was to find a better way to treat menstrual cramps.

"Existing oral medications cause significant gastrointestinal side effects for women, creating additional discomfort while alleviating menstrual pain. Results from our Phase I clinical trials show that this new vaginal device safely delivers at least 10 times more drug to the uterus as a tablet of equivalent dose."

Sponsored by drug delivery company UMD Inc, the study at Women's Health Research Inc involved 18 women aged between 18 and 45, with menstrual cycles lasting 25-30 days.

Study results will be presented at the 2009 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting and Exposition.

High-risk women not talking contraception

22/09/2009 00:00:00

Nearly one-third of women at risk of unintended pregnancy do not use contraception, according to a study.

And these women at risk engage in more unhealthy behaviour and take fewer healthcare precautions than women using birth control.

Researchers found in a study of 55,539 women, that 29% were considered as having a high risk of unintended pregnancy thanks to their lack of birth control methods.

The study found that such women were 1.23 times more likely to be obese compared with women who use contraception, and 1.2 times more likely to smoke.

The report showed high risk women were 27% less likely to exercise, and were 11% less likely to binge drink.

On sexual health matters, high risk women were 62% less likely to have had a Papilloma virus smear test compared with women using contraception. They were also 44% less likely to have had sexually transmitted disease tests, and 19% less likely to have been tested for HIV.

Pamela Xaverius, of Saint Louis University, US, said the report shows women at risk of unintended pregnancy "are not hearing, understanding, or adhering to healthcare recommendations".

Nine in ten 'unaware of cancer risks'

22/09/2009 00:00:00

Although 80% of women in the UK are willing to make lifestyle changes to reduce their breast cancer risk, as many as 45% are unaware of the simple steps that can help them on their way to achieve this, a study has shown.

According to a survey of 1,011 women for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, 95% of women in the country were unaware that maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce their chance of breast cancer.

While 96% were ignorant of the fact that drinking had an effect, 91% did not know that exercise cuts the chance that cancer will return.

Again, almost a third think there is "nothing they can do" to reduce their chances of developing the disease.

Researchers have recently estimated that around 40 per cent of all breast cancer cases could be prevented if women maintained a healthy weight, limited their alcohol intake and increased their level of physical activity.

Maggie Alexander, director of policy and campaigns at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "Breakthrough's survey found a clear gap between women's willingness to change their lifestyles to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer, and their knowledge about the simple steps they can take to achieve this."

(Breakthrough Breast Cancer)

HRT linked to lung cancer risk

21/09/2009 00:00:00

Women considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using oestrogen and progestin should be told they have a greater risk of lung cancer, a research team has said.

Lead by Professor Rowan Chlebowski, a group at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbour-UCLA Medical Center studied data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial of HRT in postmenopausal women, which was abandoned when more health risks were discovered than benefits.

After an average 5.6 years, the women involved were more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, venous thromboembolism, and breast cancer than women assigned to placebo, but lower risks of fractures and colorectal cancers.

More follow-up studies two-and-a-half years later indicated an increased mortality rate from lung cancer, with researchers analysing the number of lung cancers diagnosed over the entire eight-year period.

The authors wrote in an article in an upcoming publication of The Lancet: "Treatment with oestrogen plus progestin in postmenopausal women...increased the number of deaths from lung cancer, in particular deaths from non-small-cell lung cancer. These findings should be incorporated into risk-benefit discussions with women considering combined hormone therapy, especially those with a high risk of lung cancer...such as current smokers or long-term past smokers."

'Viagra cream' quicker than tablet

21/09/2009 00:00:00

A cream allowing erectile dysfunction drugs to be absorbed directly through the skin could make treating the condition safer, a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine has claimed.

US scientists say the breakthrough could neutralise unwanted side effects such as headaches, blurred vision and upset stomachs, and even speed-up the the effect of such drugs. They also warned, however, that it could be a decade before the treatment is ready for public use.

The arrival of erectile dysfunction medication such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis in tablet form has been one of the success stories of the modern pharmaceutical industry, with some estimates suggesting that tens of millions of men worldwide have used them.

In addition to milder side effects, men with severe heart problems, or those who have recently suffered a stroke, are advised to avoid such treatments.

Pill wins greatest innovation award

18/09/2009 00:00:00

Leading figures in the drugs industry have chosen the Contraceptive Pill as the greatest pharmacy innovation of the past 150 years.

The Pill beat other inventions including Coca-Cola, the electric light bulb and penicillin in a competition organised to celebrate Chemist+Druggist magazine's 150th birthday.

The Pill, which is used by more than 100 million women worldwide, was launched in the UK in 1961 for married women only. It was invented by chemist, Dr Carl Djerassi in 1951.

The Contraceptive Pill ensures almost 100% protection against pregnancy by controlling hormone levels to stop ovulation.

Locum pharmacist and Royal Pharmaceutical Society board member Lindsey Gilpin, who championed the oral contraceptive, said: "The Contraceptive Pill has made a tremendous difference to women and their families. As a mother of one girl and two boys all I want is equality."

The pharmacist further said that the Pill inspired huge social change and kick started the free love era of the 1960s.

Her arguments won over a panel of voters including senior figures at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, National Pharmacy Association, university professors and drugs manufacturers.

Widows less susceptible to STIs

18/09/2009 00:00:00

Older women are more likely to lose their husbands than men their wives, but bereaved husbands have a higher risk of being infected with a sexually-transmitted infection (STI), US researchers have found.

The study began in 1993, with more than 400,000 US couples aged between 67 and 99 years old. Nine years later 43% of women and 21% of men had lost their partner.

Harvard researchers Kirsten Smith and Nicholas Christakis studied a random sample and found that men were 16% more likely to have contracted an STI in the first six months after their spouse died. Women, on the other hand, did not have an significantly higher risk of infection in the same period.

Trichomoniasis was the most common STI in women, while more men were diagnosed with gonorrhoea

After 1998, when erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil) became commercially available, the risk of STIs for men jumped 83%.

Ms Smith wrote in an email: "Older adults need to be aware that they are at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection if they take on a new sexual partner following a spouse's death."

The study appeared in the American Journal of Public Health.

More adults suffering from STIs

17/09/2009 00:00:00

The number of older people contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is on the rise, research has revealed.

Janet Pearce, a nurse supervisor at Marie Stopes International in Kent, said her practice had also seen more and more older women facing unplanned pregnancies, which she believes has been caused by a shift in the nature of modern marriages.

"This is probably due to a change in relationships. People who have not had these issues for some time were married and now they are single again and dating," she said.

While STIs among the older population are increasing, teenagers and young adults continue to be considered the most vulnerable group - accounting for half all STI diagnoses despite forming just 12% of the population.

As such, they lie at the heart of a Sexual Health Week campaign to increase both awareness of the problem and the services available.

Ms Pearce said: "In Kent we operate the C Card Scheme, which provides condoms for young adults between 13 to 19 years old, which we think is a very pro-active thing to do for this age group. It means they can access condoms free of charge."

Nine in 10 have cervical cancer jab

17/09/2009 00:00:00

Concerns that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine programme against cervical cancer for teenage girls would be rejected due to claims it encouraged promiscuity have been proved wrong in Northern Ireland.

Nearly 90% of 12 and 13-year-old girls were vaccinated since the programme began 12 months ago, but not all Year 9 girls received the full three-dose course, as 89% had the first vaccine, 85% had the second and only 83% went on to have the third.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey spoke about the results while visiting Bloomfield Collegiate School in Belfast.

He said: "Cervical cancer is a disease which kills around 40 women a year in Northern Ireland. For this reason, the vaccination programme is very important."

"I welcome the fact that the Northern Ireland uptake for the vaccination is extremely high, which means 12 and 13-year-old girls and their parents realise the importance of this vaccination in the fight against cervical cancer."

The 2009 school vaccination programme has already begun, and Mr McGimpsey added: "This vaccination is about saving lives and preventing the suffering and distress caused by cancer. I would ask all parents to continue to support the vaccination programme and to give consent for their daughters to have the vaccine this year."

Contraceptive link to bone density

16/09/2009 00:00:00

Oral contraceptives with low levels of oestrogen may be causing reduced bone density in girls aged 15 to 19, according to research at Charles University in Prague.

Dr Jan Stepan has told the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research that bone mineral density (BMD) failed to increase in girls who took pills with just 15 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol.

That compares with a normal increase in density in girls taking pills with 30 micrograms. The study involved 82 girls of an age when bone density should be accumulating.

Dr Stepan told the society that, based on these findings, girls who need oral contraceptives "could be counselled toward preparations with higher oestrogen levels."

During the trial, 28 girls were given no medications and served as controls. The other 54 were randomly assigned to nine months of treatment with oral contraceptives containing one or other of the dosage levels.

(American Society for Bone and Mineral Research)

Marie Stopes International comments:

There are over 15 methods of contraception available in the UK, and it is vital that women discuss all contraceptive options with a healthcare professional in order to choose a method that best suits her lifestyle, and to consider the health benefits and health risks of each contraceptive option based on her individual medical history.

Medical developments occur all the time, and Marie Stopes International welcomes any studies that could lead to improved contraceptive methods or guidelines. However, it is vital that Dr Stephan's study results are not considered in isolation – the psychological and social consequences of not using a contraceptive method, potentially resulting in an unintended pregnancy, should also be considered.

Sex-education game to target boys

16/09/2009 00:00:00

Boys are being targeted by an "eye-opening" online sex-education game aimed at combating teenage pregnancies and sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).

The free PC download entitled Privates, to be launched by Channel 4 Education next year, promises to be "rude, funny and eye-opening, as well as being very educational".

It follows a Doing Better For Children report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) naming the UK as having the fourth-highest teenage pregnancy rate after Mexico, Turkey and the US.

Channel 4 says one of the reasons for producing the game is that medical and health information can often be dry and difficult to understand.

It says: "It doesn't help that chlamydia and gonorrhoea are also two of the words that are hardest to spell in the English language, so Googling for information can be problematic."

Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK, with 16 to 24-year-olds making up 65% of all new cases last year and 55% of new cases of genital warts.

Hysterectomy ops vary by region

15/09/2009 00:00:00

Women are more likely to have surgical treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding depending on where they live, research has shown.

Surgery is used four times more often in some English regions, according to the Office for Research and Clinical Audit (ORCA) at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).

Routinely-collected hospital data formed part of the investigation into the care of 51,456 women who had surgery for heavy menstrual bleeding. On average, four in 10 women had a hysterectomy, but regional variances meant this figure fluctuated between 25% and 54%, depending on the type of surgery performed.

One in 20 women in England aged between 20 and 49 visit their GP to tackle the problem of heavy bleeding every year. Differences in operation numbers suggests that women in some regions are not told about alternative treatments to hysterectomies, as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Dr Tahir Mahmood, RCOG vice president of standards, said: "This research shows how current NICE guidelines may not always be followed. Why this is the case has been the subject of some speculation but we have good evidence now of the substantial variation in surgical treatment across the regions."

Boots to offer HPV vaccinations

11/09/2009 00:00:00

High-street pharmacist Boots is joining the fight against cervical cancer by offering vaccinations to women aged between 18 and 54 in 134 stores across England and Wales.

The launch follows on the heels of a similar service last September for those between 18 and 24, which administered three injections to provide protection against the human papilloma virus, which is responsible for around 70% of all cervical cancer cases - a disease that kills more than 1,000 women per year in the UK.

Jane Lyons, director of The Eve Appeal, which fundraises for research into gynaecological cancers, said: "In the long term this will help save women's lives and raise awareness of cervical and other gynaecological cancers."

"The service also provides a great opportunity to further stress the importance of the cervical screening programme, which women, even if they have been vaccinated, must still attend."

Dr Graham Marshall, Boots' medical director, said: "Pharmacists are well placed to offer this service with convenient high street locations and a welcoming, familiar atmosphere."

The service will cost a total of £405.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Marie Stopes International comments:

HPV is a common virus passed through genital sexual contact. In many people, HPV will cause no health problems and will go away by itself. However, HPV can infect a woman’s cervix and lead to cervical cancer in some women. The HPV vaccine is therefore extremely valuable - Marie Stopes International provide an HPV vaccine at its centres.

However, although the vaccine is a great leap forward in the prevention of cervical cancer it is important to remember that it is not a cure-all and will only protect against certain strains of HPV. Because the HPV vaccine does not protect against ALL cervical cancers, it is vital that women attend for regular cervical screening. Early detection and treatment can prevent around 75% of cervical cancers developing in women.

Prostate cancer link to STI found

11/09/2009 00:00:00

A link has been found between a common sexually transmitted infection and the risk of advanced and lethal prostate cancer in men by a new study.

The Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers found an association with Trichomonas vaginalis and prostate cancer and have published the finds on the Journal of the National Cancer Institute website.

HSPH researcher and lead author of the study Jennifer Stark said: "Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in western countries, and the second leading cause of cancer-specific mortality. Identifying modifiable risk factors for the lethal form of prostate cancer offers the greatest opportunity to reduce suffering from this disease."

Inflammation, which is key in the development and progression of prostate cancer, is one potential risk factor, although the source of the inflammation of the prostate is unclear. Trichomonas vaginalis, which infects 174 million people globally each year, can infect the prostate and may be the source of the inflammation.

As they have no symptoms, up to three-quarters of men infected with Trichomonas vaginalis may not know they have it.

Stories sought for chlamydia drive

10/09/2009 00:00:00

An NHS trust is urging young people who have ever contracted chlamydia to share their stories on an educational DVD about sexual health.

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection and is highly prevalent in the 15-24 age group.

The NHS North East Essex Chlamydia Screening Service is producing the DVD for use in educational institutions to spread awareness about STIs and promote better sexual health.

The screening service's manager, Jayne Overett, said: "We are very keen to include real-life experiences on the DVD and would like to hear from young people willing to share their stories.

"We would particularly like to hear from women who have experienced ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages or infertility, and men who have experienced infertility as a result of chlamydia or reiter's syndrome, a form of arthritis brought on by chlamydia."

She assured total confidentiality for people approaching the trust and said they would consider requests from individuals who choose not to be identified while relating their experience.

Those interested in appearing on the DVD or requiring further information about chlamydia can call 01206 363003.

Gardasil effective on genital warts

10/09/2009 00:00:00

A vaccine used to prevent cervical cancer could also be used to prevent genital warts in men, US health advisors have said.

Gardasil, the Merck vaccine that targets strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV), was approved for treating boys and men aged 9 to 26 by a Food and Drug Administration panel.

The group voted unanimously with one abstention that the vaccine was effective, but voted 7-1 that it is safe to use on patients that age.

Their advice does not have to be followed by the FDA, but is not usually ignored, and HPV has been proved to lead to warts and rare genital cancers in both sexes.

If approved, the market for Gardasil could potentially double, but analysts have downplayed the relevance for men by pointing out that genital warts usually pass without medication.

Glaxo urged to join HIV patent pool

09/09/2009 00:00:00

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has been urged to waive patent protection on HIV drugs to make them more available to Aids sufferers in developing countries.

A letter from 15 organisations, including the Stop Aids Campaign, Medecins Sans Frontieres, Unicef and Christian Aid, wants GSK to join a patent pool being put together by Unitaid.

This would allow cheap generic copies to be made without legal restraint or delays from the manufacturers, which enjoy patent protection for 20 years.

The appeal follows a story in the Guardian newspaper in which GSK boss Andrew Witty outlines his reservations about such a pool.

But he also says: "I'm not saying no to anything, because nobody's actually put in front of me a really concrete proposition."

He points out that that GSK already funds research into drugs for children, and he is prepared to allow generic companies make cheap copies of its HIV drugs under licence.

Contraception 'could save planet'

09/09/2009 00:00:00

A population research group is urging effective family planning as a means of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and fighting climate change.

Research conducted by the Optimum Population Trust (OPT) claims that CO2 emissions could be reduced by a tonne for every £4 spent on contraception over the next forty years.

They point out that achieving the same effect by conventional means such as low-carbon technologies would cost almost five times as much, at £19.

The report says that, "considered purely as a method of reducing future CO2 emissions", family planning is more cost-effective than all of the most up-to-date low-carbon technologies.

Roger Martin, chair of the OPT, said population growth should now be included in the climate change debate.

"It's always been obvious that total emissions depend on the number of emitters as well as their individual emissions - the carbon tonnage can't shoot down, as we want, while the population keeps shooting up.

"The taboo on mentioning this fact has made the whole climate change debate so far somewhat unreal. Stabilising population levels has always been ecologically essential, and this study shows it's economically sensible too."

Trust urges sex-infection testing

08/09/2009 00:00:00

The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is stepping up efforts to combat the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

It will be out on the streets of Telford and Shrewsbury in Shropshire as part of Sexual Health Week 2009, which runs from September 14 to 20.

Locals will be encouraged to test for STIs, particularly chlamydia, as well as being given free condoms and safe-sex information packs.

Test samples taken in the nearest public toilet will be sent to a lab, with the results available within a week. Free antibiotics will be provided for all those who test positive.

Although chlamydia has no symptoms, if left untreated it can lead to serious health problems, including infertility. In 2007, people aged 16-24 accounted for nearly half of all STIs in the UK.

Says THT spokeswoman Jane Morel: "Many young people feel nervous about taking an STI test, but they needn't. Most modern tests are quick and non-invasive."

Ovarian cancer rate falls 20%

08/09/2009 00:00:00

Women are nearly 20% less likely to develop ovarian cancer than they were a decade ago, Cancer Research UK has said.

It revealed that cancer rates for women in their 50s and early 60s are almost 20% lower than 1998 figures, and that rates for women under 50 are now 14% lower than their highest peak in 1997.

Increasing use of the contraceptive pill, which can prevent ovarian cancer, and a reduction in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have been named as possible causes for the welcome drop in cases.

Cancer Research UK's director of cancer information, Dr Lesley Walker, said: "The trend in the number of women getting ovarian cancer reversed suddenly around ten years ago, and these latest statistics make it clear that rates are continuing to fall steadily. This is good news for women. We know from Cancer Research UK studies that taking the pill for more than 15 years halves the risk of ovarian cancer.

"We can't be sure that the drop in ovarian cancer rates is solely due to the pill, but it has played an important part."

Poll reveals 'contraceptive myths'

07/09/2009 00:00:00

A number of myths and misconceptions about contraceptive methods still prevail among British women, according to an online poll.

In May, 1000 women aged 18 to 50 were surveyed by Opinion Health for drug manufacturer Bayer Schering Pharma, revealing that British women still held illl-conceived notions about contraceptives.

The survey found that one in five listed, as methods of contraception, eating garlic or using bread, plastic wrap or chicken skin as a barrier method.

Half of respondents thought that long-term use of contraceptive pills could cause infertility, and 10% thought that fertility could be restored only years after stopping the medication.

Over a third thought that the greatest risk of getting pregnant while using the combined contraceptive pill (containing oestrogen and progestogen), was in the middle of the pack, whereas it is actually at the beginning and end.

Dr Annie Evans, women's health specialist at the Bristol Sexual Health Centre, said that the prevalence of "widespread contraceptive myths" was "not surprising", as Britain had the highest rate of unintended pregnancies in Europe with 50% of births being unintended.

She said: "It is vital that women are made aware of the facts, using the credible sources of information available to them."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Marie Stopes International Comments:

Women in the UK have a wide range of contraceptive options available to them, yet some may find the vast array of modern contraceptives confusing. Bayer Schering Pharma's research highlights the need for greater effort, through public education campaigns and advertising of family planning methods and services, to dispel sexual health myths and increase women’s awareness of their contraceptive options and regular use of a method suitable to their lifestyles.

Sex infections `should be screened`

07/09/2009 00:00:00

Tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) should be part of normal health-check routines, according to NHS West Kent.

It reports that 16 to 24-year-olds account for half of all cases in the country, despite representing 12% of the population,

Says trust spokeswoman Malti Varshney: "Chlamydia is one of the main STIs, and we are promoting the screening of it. People should go annually, and should also be checked if they have had a change of partner.

"This disease is symptom-less, so for young adults, getting regularly checked should be part of their normal health routine."

She says that Sexual Health Week, which runs from September 14 to 20, "is an excellent platform to raise awareness and promote the safe-sex services that we have available".

The trust is running a series of initiatives to raise awareness of STIs and practices that allow people to take charge of their own health.

Says Ms Varshney: "We feel that sexual health is one of our main focuses throughout the coming year and we will be improving sexual health services on offer."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Marie Stopes International comments:

Some STIs are symptom free so the only way for someone to know for sure if they are infected is to have an STI test. We fully support any initiatives that encourage regular testing for STIs, especially as this provides a regular opportunity for healthcare providers to teach and remind young people about the importance of practicing safe sex. However if someone has had unprotected sex we encourage them to seek advice and STI testing as soon as possible so that if necessary, treatment can be provided as early as possible.

HPV jab hope for breast cancer

04/09/2009 00:00:00

Tens of thousands of lives could be saved each year by vaccinating women against the human papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent some forms of breast cancer, according to Australian research.

Several strains of HPVs known to have a high risk of initiating cancer of the cervix were found by researchers at the University of New South Wales, who were testing cancerous breast cells using genetic probes. HPV is involved in 90-95% of cervical cancers.

Visiting Professor James Lawson led a team from the UNSW School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences and the results of the research are published in the British Journal of Cancer.

In five of 14 (39%) ductal carinoma in situ and three (21%) of 14 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) breast cancer specimens, the presence of high-risk HPV in the nuclei of breast cancer epithelial cells was confirmed. Cancers confined to the milk-making glands that do not spread to the other parts of the breast or body are known as non-invasive or in situ cancers, whereas IDC and other invasive cancers account for 70-80% of all breast cancers.

"Confirming a cancer-causing role for HPV in some breast cancers establishes the possibility of preventing some breast cancers by vaccination against HPV," said UNSW researcher, Dr Noel Whitaker, a co-author of the new report.

Cervical cancer vaccine take up at 70%

03/09/2009 00:00:00

A total of 70% of girls aged 12 and 13 have been vaccinated against sexually-transmitted human papillomavirus as part of a nationwide drive to protect the female population.

Data from the NHS Information Centre revealed 70% of girls in the age group had all three doses of the HPV jab.

And 87% of girls in Year 8 had at least one dose during the school year 2008/09, meaning some were waiting for follow-up doses after the data had been calculated. The figures suggest the remaining 13% of girls may have rejected the jab.

A nationwide programme is aiming to vaccinate girls against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cases of cervical cancer. Every year in the UK, around 1,000 women die from the disease.

The data also found the number of children receiving the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains low, at around 85%.

Prior to a scare in the mid-1990s, which linked MMR with autism, 90% of children received the vaccine. Numbers hit a particular low in 2003/04, when only 80% were vaccinated.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Marie Stopes International comments:

We are pleased that such a high percentage of young women received the vaccination against the two strains of HPV (16 and 18) that cause cervical cancer in over 70% of women.

However, although the vaccine is a great leap forward in the prevention of cervical cancer it is important to remember that it is not a cure-all and will only protect against certain strains of the HPV. Because the HPV vaccine does not protect against ALL cervical cancers, it is vital to encourage girls to start thinking about their cervical health as early as possible. Early detection and treatment can prevent around 75% of cervical cancers developing in women, so it is important to develop a cervical screening culture among women of all ages.

Glasgow sells most large condoms

02/09/2009 00:00:00

More extra large condoms are bought in Glasgow than anywhere else in the UK, according to Tesco.

The supermarket put the new condoms, which are 10mm and 1mm wider than the standard version, on sale earlier this month and the company`s sales map showed that the most were sold in Glasgow. Edinburgh also performed well, with the seventh-highest sales figures in the UK.

Other areas with strong sales included Cambridge, Manchester, Cardiff and Bristol also sold high numbers of the extra-large condoms.

"Demand for extra-large condoms has been a success, especially in Scotland," said Tesco`s healthcare buyer Nicola Evans. "In the last year there has been a very strong demand for a larger-sized condom and the sales prove that there is a market for them in the UK.

"At the moment they are on sale in 430 stores across the UK but we hope that they'll be on sale in more stores in the near future."

A pack of 12 extra-large Durex condoms costs £9.53.

Office staff to get chlamydia tests

01/09/2009 00:00:00

A plan to hand out sexually transmitted infection test kits to office and supermarket workers could be rolled out in North Somerset.

In an attempt to make older sufferers aware of the problem and get tested, NHS North Somerset is considering giving boxes of free chlamydia tests to distribute in workplaces. The idea follows on from a successful online scheme.

Chlamydia awareness initiatives for the former Avon area are headed up by Karl Pye, who said: "We already have a good relationship with places of education like Weston College, where we take part in events.

"We have a reasonable uptake of testing among the under-20s but less so with those aged 20-24, so we are looking at going into work places like call centres or supermarkets. We may then be able to target older age ranges."

Chlamydia is the UK's most common sexually transmitted infection, with one in 12 people tested nationally infected. It can be difficult to spot because sufferers often show no symptoms, but the disease can potentially render women infertile.

Third of girls 'abused by boyfriends'

01/09/2009 00:00:00

Many young girls are being sexually abused by their boyfriends, according to a survey by the NSPCC and Bristol University.

They report that nearly nine out of 10 girls aged 13 to 17 have had an intimate relationship, and that one in six were pressured into sexual intercourse.

One in 16 has been raped, and a quarter slapped, punched or beaten. Others have been pressured or forced to kiss or sexually touch.

All the abused girls said they had no choice but to put up with it because they felt scared or guilty, or feared they would lose their boyfriends.

Says Professor David Berridge, from Bristol University: "The high rate and harmful impact of violence in teenagers' intimate relationships, especially for girls, is appalling.

"It was shocking to find that exploitation and violence in relationships starts so young. This is a serious issue that must be given higher priority by policymakers and professionals."

New female genital cutting study

28/08/2009 00:00:00

Female genital mutilation is the subject of a new government study in which nurses and midwifes are being urged to take part.

Also known as female genital cutting, the practice is illegal in the UK because it can lead to problems giving birth, infertility and even death. Women who experience genital mutilation often suffer from long-term physical and mental health problems.

Government ministers hope that the study will increase knowledge about the controversial practice, which poses a risk for up to 24,000 girls in the UK, according to England`s chief nursing officer, Dame Christine Beasley.

Its findings will be used to develop improved training for staff working in sexual and reproductive health services.

Dame Beasley said: "We have put training in place to support frontline healthcare staff in responding where they see or hear of this practice taking place."

The study is open to all healthcare professionals working in maternity, gynaecology, obstetrics and sexual health and will run until October 8. It will feed into a future strategy to prevent violence against girls and women.

Text and email sexual health advice

28/08/2009 00:00:00

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is to offer sexual health counselling and peer mentoring to London`s 10 to 18-year-olds through text messages, the internet and face to face meetings.

The charity is planning a three-year project to help young people with concerns about sex, sexual health, relationships, sexuality, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other issues.

The project, tentatively called T2T, short for Talk to Terry, will be run by a steering group of young people, who will decide on a definite project name, help design and set up the service and act as mentors for others in their age group.

Funding of £432,000 has been awarded to THT by the Young People`s Fund 2 programme, part of the Big Lottery Fund.

Christine Mead, from THT, said: "This is a breakthrough for THT in our drive to develop more comprehensive services, led by young people for young people.

"By using technology we are aiming to reach out to a growing number of young people who ordinarily may not have engaged with traditional services.

"In our experience, young people may prefer to talk to their peers about these issues and this service lets them access both peer mentoring and counselling."

Women 'face cancer diagnosis delay'

26/08/2009 00:00:00

Researchers have warned that despite reporting symptoms to their GP, many women with ovarian cancer are facing delays in getting diagnosed.

With around 4,300 deaths and 6,800 new cases each year in the UK, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women.

If caught early survival rates are above 70%, but only around a third of women are diagnosed in the early stages.

Writing in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), experts say doctors could miss a main symptom of ovarian cancer because it is not included in the current guidance for urgent investigation.

They say women reporting a distended abdomen need to be urgently seen for tests, yet the UK guidance on urgent referrals say women should only be referred if they experience abnormal bleeding or if they have a palpable mass that is not obviously fibroids.

The University of Bristol research involved 212 women from across 39 general practices in Devon.

Research leader Dr Willie Hamilton, consultant senior lecturer at University of Bristol, said: "Unquestionably some women have their cancer missed and have to return - sometimes repeatedly."

Cancer drug linked to tumour risk

26/08/2009 00:00:00

Research has found one of the most common treatments for breast cancer increases the risk of developing a secondary tumour if used for a long time.

The new US research found that although tamoxifen is a "gold standard" hormonal therapy used to treat thousands of breast cancer patients, it raises the risk of developing more aggressive tumours, which are harder to treat.

Tamoxifen is commonly used in Britain to improve the chances of survival among patients diagnosed with breast cancer by blocking oestrogen to fuel the disease.

The drug has even been found to stop tumours returning after surgery when used to treat hormone-sensitive cancers.

But the latest study, by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, shows that using tamoxifen also raises the risk of secondary tumours that are not dependent on oestrogen.

The findings reported in the journal Cancer Research show five or more years of treatment with the drug quadrupled the chances of an aggressive non-hormone sensitive tumour appearing opposite the initial site of the disease.

Study leader Dr Christopher Li said: "This is of concern, given the poorer prognosis of ER negative (oestrogen receptor negative) tumours, which are also more difficult to treat."

Rise in HIV infections in North West

25/08/2009 00:00:00

As many as 42% of newly infected HIV sufferers in the north west of England contracted the disease from abroad and of these 74% are black Africans, officials revealed.

The figures, released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) together with the Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moore's University, have also highlighted an increase in the number of people reporting the disease last year - a reversal of the downward trend seen in 2006 and 2007..

There has been a 13% rise in the number of new cases registered at the monitoring system in 2008, to 925, up from 817 in 2007.

More people have contracted HIV through sex between men, injecting drug use and heterosexual sex during the same period.

Dr Penny Cook, Reader in Public Health Epidemiology and co-author of the report, said: "HIV continues to have the biggest effect on people in our most vulnerable communities."

The HPA said that there was an "over-representation" of ethnic minorities comprising 34% of the total number in treatment, whereas ethnic minorities make up 8% of the North West's population as a whole.

Professor Qutub Syed, director of the Health Protection Agency North West, said: "It is encouraging that more people with HIV infection are seeking treatment and care, but hugely disappointing that we are seeing an increase in new cases, reversing recent trends."

Vaginal ring 'safer than oral pill'

25/08/2009 00:00:00

A vaginal ring is better for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) than oral contraception, a study has shown.

Researchers from the University of Bologna looked at a group of women with PCOS, a disorder often associated with a condition in which there are excess levels of insulin in the blood, called Hyperinsulinemia.

The study attempted to discover which method of contraception had more favourable effects on cardiovascular risk markers, linked to diabetes and obesity.

One half of the group received oral ethinylestradiol plus drospirenone for a six-month period, while the other underwent combined contraceptive vaginal ring therapy.

The results of tests using ultrasound and colour Doppler ovarian arterial analysis were improved by both treatments.

Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides registered at higher levels for the oral and vaginal contraceptives.

However, the increase in triglycerides was significantly higher with the oral medication in comparison to the vaginal ring, at 1.7 nmol/l versus 1.2 nmol/l respectively.

The ring also improved glucose, insulin, and C-peptide levels, while the oral pill increased estimates for insulin resistance.

Study leader Cesare Battaglia concluded: "Thus, vaginal hormonal contraception would appear to be preferable to oral ethinylestradiol and drospirenone administration in hyperinsulinemic patients with PCOS."

(University of Bologna)

Acupuncture hope for ovary syndrome

24/08/2009 00:00:00

Polycystic ovary syndrome can be relieved by the use of acupuncture and exercise, according to a study at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Nearly 10% of women of reproductive age have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The syndrome expresses itself as a large number of small immature cysts on the ovaries that cause a disturbance in the production of hormones and an increase in the secretion of the male sex hormone.

This means that many women with the condition do not ovulate normally, and the syndrome may lead to infertility. The women run an increased risk of becoming obese, developing type 2 diabetes, or developing cardio-vascular disease.

During the study, one group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome received acupuncture regularly for four months. They received a type of acupuncture known as "electro-acupuncture", in which the needles are stimulated with a weak low-frequency electric current, similar to that developed during muscular work.

A second group of women were provided with heart rate monitors and instructed to exercise at least three times a week.

"Those who received acupuncture found that their menstruation became more normal. We could also see that their levels of testosterone became significantly lower, and this is an important observation, since elevated testosterone levels are closely connected with the increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system of women," says Elisabet Stener-Victorin, who has led the research at the Sahlgrenska Academy.

(University of Gothenburg)

Oestrogen 'can treat breast cancer'

21/08/2009 00:00:00

Some forms of breast cancer could be treated by giving the patient low doses of oestrogen, a clinical study has found.

The findings may lead to a partial reversal in how metastatic breast cancer is treated using medicines to lower oestrogen levels. The results of the study, which was carried out at the Washington University School of Medicine, are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"Raising oestrogen levels benefited 30 percent of women whose metastatic breast cancer no longer responded to standard anti-oestrogen treatment," said oncologist Matthew Ellis, who was the lead author of the study. He added that around a third of the women who did not respond to standard treatment reacted well to the new method.

However, the treatment has potential side effects, including bloating, headaches, breast tenderness, fluid retention, nausea and vomiting, but they are thought to be limited compared to other treatments.

"We found that oestrogen treatment stopped disease progression in many patients and was much better tolerated than chemotherapy would have been," he said. "Overall, we demonstrated clearly that the low dose was better tolerated than the high dose and was just as effective for controlling metastatic disease."

Drop in visitors at GUM clinics

21/08/2009 00:00:00

The number of people attending genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics dropped 4% between May and June, figures have shown.

Data from the Department of Health show there were 178,768 visits to GUM clinics in June, or 5,659 per working day. This is compared with 5,914 per working day in May.

It is not possible to tell whether the drop is seasonal or not, due to the fact that the department only started reporting the data in February this year.

The service managed to hit this year's NHS operating framework to help cut the rate of sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancies, with 99.9% of first appointments offered within two days of the request.

Women recalled for second smear

20/08/2009 00:00:00

A health centre in Leeds is having to recall nearly 1,000 women for repeat cervical smears after checks revealed problems with the tests.

A total of 968 women who had smear tests at the Gildersome Health Centre in South Leeds have been contacted to attend one of the many special clinics set up to deal with the mass recall.

Investigations found problems with tests and as a result any performed since 1988, when the national cervical screening programme began, will be reviewed.

Officials have said the problem does not lie with laboratory analysis of samples, which suggests the problem has arisen from when the smears were taken.

Dr Ian Cameron, director of Public Health for NHS Leeds, said: "As part of our commitment to improving cervical screening services, we consistently check the quality of cervical smear tests taken in Leeds. On this occasion a review showed that some smear tests taken at Gildersome Health Centre may not have met our usual high standards."

He added that it is only a precautionary measure that women have been recalled to ensure that the standards of care provided to women remains high.

Fibroid operation made simpler

20/08/2009 00:00:00

Women could be saved days of recuperation thanks to a new technique to remove fibroids from wombs pioneered at Spire Bristol Hospital.

The standard operation to remove fibroids involves a surgical technique called a myomectomy, which entails making a large, abdominal cut through which to remove the growths.

Some women can be put off from the procedure as it can not only leave an unsightly scar, but also means the patient must spends days in hospital recovering from the surgery.

However, consultant surgeon Valentine Akande can perform the same procedure but by using minimally invasive key-hole surgical techniques.

He explained: "Fibroids are quite common growths found in women's reproductive organs. Although they are non-cancerous, they can grow quite large, sometimes to the size of a melon, and in extreme cases can cause heavy bleeding, miscarriages and even infertility."

Mr Akande is combining his years of experience at performing myomectomies with his expertise in advanced laparoscopy.

He said: "Now it is possible to perform the same surgery for suitable patients through laparoscopic techniques, better known as key-hole surgery, using very small incisions to the abdomen, offering quicker recovery times, with most patients going home a day after the surgery, as opposed to several days after the larger open incision."

Spire Bristol Hospital (http://www.spirehealthcare.com/bristol/)

Quicker endometriosis test revealed

19/08/2009 00:00:00

A new test for endometriosis, which can detect the condition with close to 100% accuracy is being recommended by experts.

The simple test would take a sample of the lining of the uterus, which will be examined for certain nerve fibres that predict endometriosis. It would replace the invasive laparoscopy, which is a surgical procedure carried out through the belly button under general anaesthetic.

Researchers from Australia and Jordan hope it will provide a swift diagnosis for the painful condition, which affects one in seven women worldwide, with two million sufferers in the UK.

Endometriosis occurs when cells that usually line the womb appear elsewhere in the body. Most women with the disease are diagnosed between 25 and 40 and the condition can cause infertility and the most common symptom is pain during sex, although sometimes women do not have any symptoms.

The researchers said: "There is still a substantial delay in the diagnosis of endometriosis in most countries.

"The length of time from the onset of symptoms to the definite diagnosis is often quite long, with an average of 6 to 10 years in many centres.

The study has been published in the journal Human Reproduction.

HPV blamed for rise in oral cancer

18/08/2009 00:00:00

A leading sexual health expert has said the "alarming" increase in oral cancers among men and women in their forties is as much down to the human papilloma virus (HPV) as binge drinking.

According to Professor Albert Singer from the University of London, although smoking and alcohol are significant factors in the development of oral cancers as reported by Cancer Research UK, HPV is responsible for up to 60% of the estimated 400,000 cases worldwide per year.

Of these diagnosed cases of oropharyngeal cancers, just over 200,000 die and Prof Singer claims the sexually transmitted virus is becoming widely recognised as a big risk factor in the increasing numbers of young people developing head and neck cancers, especially those involving the oral cavity.

Young girls are starting to receive the anti-HPV vaccine, which he believes will help reduce numbers developing the cancer over time, but he said a modification of sexual behaviour is needed, particularly in relation to oral sex.

Figures produced by Cancer Research UK show that since the mid-1990s, rates of oral cancers have increased by 28% for men in their forties and 24% for women.

Sunbeds can `halve cancer risk`

18/08/2009 00:00:00

Women could halve their risk of developing endometrial cancer with the occasional use of sunbeds, according to new research.

Women who use a sunbed three times a year have higher levels of vitamin D, which can help stave off endometrial cancer, according to new findings published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Short winter days make it difficult to spend time in the sun, which is the best source of vitamin D. However, sunbeds have recently been cited as a reason for the record levels of skin cancer.

Despite the criticism of sunbeds, researchers at Lund University in Sweden said sunbathing and the occasional use of sunbeds could have a positive impact on health.

The researchers found that the risk of cancer was lowered by 40% in women who used a sunbed every few months in the study for 24,000 women over a 15-year period.

Pharmacies join sexual health scheme

17/08/2009 00:00:00

NHS Peterborough's sexual health pharmacy programme is now being offered by an additional three pharmacies, which will give people the morning after pill, condoms and chlamydia screening free of charge.

There are now 14 pharmacies across the city and surrounding villages that offer the morning after pill to women under 25 for free and without having to see a doctor.

The sexual health service also gives condoms to anyone under 25 through the c-card scheme and chlamydia screening for anyone under 25.

Confidential advice about a range of sexual health issues in a bid to improve awareness of sexually transmitted diseases and to lower teenage pregnancies is also available.

Public health specialist at NHS Peterborough Cheryl McGuire said: "Our pharmacy programme offers increased access to the morning after pill, condoms and Chlamydia screening within the community, and we're really pleased to more pharmacies to the scheme.

"Pharmacists can also offer free, confidential advice about all sorts of sexual health issues, and if they can't help, they'll be able to give you details of someone who can."

Youth abortion figures 'a concern'

15/08/2009 00:00:00

Nearly 100 girls aged 14 or younger had an abortion last year, which is a "cause for concern", according to public health minister for Scotland Shona Robison.

Figures disclosed in response to a Freedom of Information request show that nearly 3,000 girls aged 15 or younger have had abortions over the last nine years. Of the girls who underwent terminations between 2001 and 2008, eight were just 12 years old.

Previous figures have only shown numbers for the under-16 age group in general with no breakdown like this latest data.

Since 2000, a total of 2,871 abortions were performed on girls under 16. Of these, 2,081 were aged 15, 695 were 14, 87 were 13, and eight were 12.

Ms Robison said: "The number of 12 and 13-year-olds who get pregnant and have terminations is low but it is still a cause for concern. It is, however, important to note that the latest statistics show no rise in pregnancies in under 16s."

She added that the Government is working with health boards and councils to ensure "appropriate" education on sex and relationships was delivered in all schools and to "ensure young people have access to services and information when they require it".

Pills give varying thrombosis risk

14/08/2009 00:00:00

Many women are not using brands of the Pill which have the lowest risk of blood clotting in the vein, according to a study.

Clots in the vein, or venous thrombosis, include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg or arm and pulmonary embolism. The study found that women taking pills containing a progestogen called levonorgestrel had the lowest risk of blood clotting in a vein, although they were still four times more at risk of thrombosis than those not on the Pill.

However, those containing desogestrel, such as Mercilon and Marvelon, increased the risk to more than seven times the amount of a woman not on the Pill. The study, led by experts at Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, may force the NHS to reconsider advice that women should be on pills containing levonorgestrel.

Researchers followed 1,524 women who had suffered thrombosis and found that overall, taking the Pill increased the risk of thrombosis fivefold.

"Currently available oral contraceptives still have a major impact on thrombosis occurrence and many women do not use the safest brands with regard to risk of venous thrombosis," said the authors, writing in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

The NHS National Prescribing Centre, who acknowledge that all oral contraceptives increase the risk of thrombosis, said on its safety bulletin: "On an individual level, providing women are fully informed of the risks and do not have medical contraindications, it should be a matter of clinical judgment and personal choice as to which type of oral contraceptive is prescribed."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Marie Stopes International comment:

Although blood clots can be a serious side effect of taking combined oral contraceptives, they are extremely rare and should not put women off using the pill.

When considering the increased risk of blood clots associated with oral contraceptive pills, it is important to keep in mind the low incidence rate. The risk of blood clots in women using the contraceptive pill is considerably less than the risk of blood clots associated with pregnancy.

Our advice to women who have any concerns about taking the oral contraceptive pill is not to stop using it, but to make an appointment to discuss the risks and their other contraceptive options with their GP or family planning clinic.