Having a boyfriend or girlfriend

Having a Boyfriend or Girlfriend

We have relationships with different people: our parents, our best friends, our teachers or a boyfriend or girlfriend.  A relationship means a connection between two or more people or groups of people. 

If you have a boyfriend of girlfriend, then your relationship with them many involve strong feelings or may even be sexual.  So what is sex?

Sexual Intercourse is defined when 2 people, usually a male and female, want to be very close to each other, so close that the male’s penis goes inside the female’s vagina.  When this happens, it is possible for boy and girl to make a baby (once your reproductive organs have grown up).  Most people don’t have sex to have a baby, and you will need to use contraception to stop this happening.  Most couples have sex because it feels good and they want to be close to their boyfriend or girlfriend.  You don’t have to have sex to show someone that you love them; kissing, cuddling, holding hands and touching are all ways of showing someone that you love them.  

Here are some important things to remember about sex:

  • It is illegal to have sex under the age of 16. 
  • Only have sex when you are ready to do so. 
  • There are ways you can protect yourself from having a baby or catching a serious infection from sex, like HIV the virus that causes AIDS.  Talk to your doctor, or contact one of the sexual health clinics listed below for information and advice on protecting yourself (contraception)
  • You have the right to say No to any kind of sexual contact, including hugging, kissing, cuddling and sex.
  • Sexual contact with another person often comes with complicated feelings.

Sexual Desire – Means you feel attracted to someone in a very strong way, like being pulled by a magnet.  You want to be as physically close to that person as you can be.

Heterosexuality – a heterosexual person is someone who is attracted to someone of the other, or opposite sex (a male and a female).

Homosexuality – a homosexual or gay person is someone who is attracted to someone of the same sex (a male and a male, or a female and a female).

Where to get more help.   If you have any questions about sex, emotions or contraception, the following organisations may be able to help:  All of the following clinics provide CONFIDENTIAL and FREE advice on all forms of contraception, including FREE condoms, emergency contraception and pregnancy testsing.

Local Contacts:

    • Cheltenham Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – A young persons clinic (for people under 25) is held on Saturday mornings from 10.00 to 11.45am.   People can drop in at any time to pick up FREE condoms (maximum of 12 condoms per person, per month).   Contact 08454 22 2374.  www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk
  • Cinderford Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic -   The clinic is held every Thursday, 5.00-7.00pm.  Contact 08454 226201.   www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk
  • Cirencester Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – The clinic is held every Wednesday, 6.00 – 8.00pm.  Contact 08454 222374  (during clinic hours) or 08454 222374 (out of these hours to book an appointment). www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk
  • Coleford Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic -  The Healthwise Clinic (for people under 25) is held every Friday, 4.00 – 6.00pm.  Contact 08454 226201.  www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk
  • Dursley Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic -  Contact 01453 562050 for details of the clinic times and days. www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk
  • Gloucester Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – Contact 08454 226201 for detail of the clinic times and days.  www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk
  • Lydney Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – The clinic is held every Monday, 5.30-7.30pm.  Contact 01594 598240 (clinic hours) or 01594 841200 (for appointments). www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk
  • Stonehouse Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – Contact 08454 226201 for details of the clinic times and days. www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk
  • Stroud Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – The clinic is held on Thursdays, 1.00-6.30pm.  Contact 08454 226201.  www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk
  • Tewkesbury Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – The clinic is held every Thursday, 5.30-7.30pm.  Contact 01684 293303 (clinic hours) or 01242 272374 (outside clinic hours) www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk

Further information can be found in the ‘Contraception’ section of this website.

  • Mencap -  charity working with children and adults with a learning disability.  Produces information and publications on a range of issues, including puberty.  Contact 0808 808 1111.  www.mencap.org.uk
  • Sex Education Forum – the national authority on sex and relationships education (SRE).  Contact 020 7843 1901. www.ncb.org.uk/sef
  • Sexual Health Direct - A confidential helpline run by the Family Planning Association offering advice and information on contraception, reproduction and all aspects of sexual health.  Contact 0845 122 8690.  www.fpa.org.uk
  • TIC+  – a Gloucestershire based charity commiteed to crisis prevention, intervention and care for teenagers.  The offices are opn Monday to Friday, 9.00am -5.00pm.  TIC+ can offer advice, support, counselling and care services.  They offer advice or sign posting on most issues relating to young people (age 9-21 years).  Contact 01594 546117.  www.ticplus.org.uk
  • Worth Talking About (formerley Sexwise) – offers impartial and confidential sexual health information to young people.  contact 0800 28 29 30 or textphone 0800 328 1651.  www.nhs.uk/worthtalkingabout.

 

 

 
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