Important things to remember about your sexual health: you may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) without having any symptoms some STIs can affect fertility in both men and women STIs can be transferred from mother to baby and cause problems during birth or after birth being in a longer term relationship is no guarantee you can't have an STI, as you can have an STI for months or years

You need to have a sexual health check: if you or your partner have other sexual partners if you notice pain on passing urine or during sex if you have lumps or sores on the genital area, an unusual discharge, rash or smell, or if your sexual partner has these symptoms if you have had unsafe sex (sex without a condom)

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is easy to treat. It is quite easy to catch and can cause serious problems if you don't get it treated. Untreated chlamydia infection can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women, and testicle pain and swelling in men. It is very common in people aged less than 30. Read more here

Epididymo-orchitis is an infection of the testicle and epididymis (tubes around the testicle). It is usually caused by an STI, but can sometimes be caused by a urinary infection or mumps. Read more here

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection which can cause blisters or ulcers on the genital skin. It is caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus (HSV). Genital herpes is similar to cold sores found on the mouth: they are both caused by the HSV virus, just different types. Genital herpes can be due to either type 1 or 2 and cold sores are usually due to type 1. Read more here

Genital warts are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. HPV is a group of viruses that cause warts on skin surfaces. Certain types of HPV cause warts on the hands and feet, while others can cause visible warts in the genital area or around the anus. The majority of people who are sexually active will carry genital HPV at some stage of their lifetime, but usually won’t show any symptoms. There is an HPV vaccine available which is free of charge up to the age of 27. Read more here

Gonorrhoea is an STI (a sexually transmitted infection) that is more common in people aged less than 30 years. Gonorrhoea is very easy to catch and also very easy to treat. It may cause serious problems if you don’t get it treated. Read more here

PID is the name given to infection in or around a woman’s uterus (womb), fallopian tubes or ovaries. It is caused by bacteria spreading upwards into the uterus from the vagina or cervix (neck of the womb). It is commonly caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Sometimes PID can occur after pelvic operations, a pregnancy, or in the first few weeks after an IUD is put in. PID sometimes causes infertility (difficulty getting pregnant), ectopic pregnancy (a baby growing in a place outside the womb), or long term pelvic pain. These things are more likely to happen if the treatment is late, so it’s important to get treated straight away. Read more here

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is quite easy to catch and can cause serious problems if you don’t get it treated. It has been increasing in New Zealand particularly in men having sex with men (MSM). Having untreated syphilis increases your chances of catching HIV infection. Read more here

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Read more here

Urethritis means an inflammation of a male’s urethra (the pee tube). It is often called NSU or NGU. It is usually due to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Read more here