With record levels of gonorrhoea and syphilis cases reported by the UK Health Security Agency, it’s important to take sexual health seriously – and not just for young people. In fact, the number of common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among over-65s increased by 20% from 2017 to 2019, according to the Local Government Association. This is why if you are sexually active, regular testing is necessary whatever your age – even if you don’t have any symptoms. “Sexual health check-ups are important because STIs can be silent but can also have significant health implications,” says Dr Priyanka Patel, consultant ambulatory gynaecologist at London Gynaecology. “STIs such as chlamydia can affect female fertility, and STIs such as HIV weaken the immune system.” To mark Sexual Health Week (September 11-17), Dr Patel talks through some key points about STI screening… How often should you have an STI check? “You need to have an STI check whenever you have a new partner, especially if you’re not using condoms, or think you were exposed to an STI,” says Patel. “Everyone should have an STI screen, including an HIV test, every year if having sex without condoms with new or casual partners.” Testing is also advised for anyone who develops possible symptoms. These may include unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus; pain when peeing; blisters, sores, lumps or skin growths on the genitals or anus; itching or a rash. What will you be asked at a check-up? You can find your nearest sexual health clinic via the NHS to book an appointment. Many sexual health services now offer free self-sampling kits to order online for people who don’t have any symptoms and want to do a check-up at home. “Men may have to hold their urine before testing, but women do not need to do anything in particular to prepare,” Patel says. “You will be asked about your sexual history, partners, contraceptive use and general health. You will be asked for details about your recent sexual partners and types of sex you have.” These questions may feel personal or intrusive but are important to ensure the correct tests are done. Remember, taking care of your sexual health is about being safe and empowered and healthcare professionals are there to help. What tests are done? “The testing will depend on the answers you give about the types of sex you have,” says Patel. “Vaginal, throat and anal swabs may be done – these will be used to test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.” To do this, the clinician rubs a cotton bud inside the area for a few seconds. A blood sample will be taken to test for syphilis and HIV. Patel continues: “If you have symptoms, then the clinician will usually carry out a speculum examination to look at the health of the vagina and cervix.” How do you get STI test results? The way your results are delivered varies between clinics, and they will advise when you should expect to hear back. “Most will send results via a text message or give you a number to call for results,” says Patel, while some have a ‘no news is good news’ policy, meaning if you don’t hear anything then you’ve got the all-clear. For home testing kits, you’ll get a notification to say your samples were received and results are usually sent via text message. “If you test positive for an STI, they will arrange for treatment and offer support,” Patel explains – which goes for both clinic and self-sampling. She adds: “It’s important to notify partners of any positive results and the sexual health clinic can also assist in anonymous partner notification.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 9 arthritis myths we all need to stop believing Prince Harry spotted at Windsor Castle on anniversary of Queen’s death How the weather can change the way you dream

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Sparks were seen flying from Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari as the first practice session for the highly anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix descended into chaos. Thursday night’s practice (16 November) was cancelled after just nine minutes when Sainz hit a broken drain cover, damaging his car. CCTV footage from the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, which overlooks the track, shows the moment the Ferrari driver ran over the manhole. Sainz has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for the incident, and his car required repairs ahead of the second practice session, which took place in the early hours of Friday morning.

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My morning doesn’t start until I whip up a fresh cup of matcha (not the latte, nor the sweetened kind you get at Starbucks — just plain, straight-up matcha), before I move on to a strong cup of Irish Breakfast tea. After lunch, I’ll enjoy a minty green tea before eventually transitioning to herbal varieties; I rotate among chamomile, turmeric-ginger, and peppermint. The point is, I’m a round-the-clock warm beverage B. And I just leveled up in a major way, thanks to Ember — the brand behind a hero range of high-tech, temperature-regulating drinkware, and more recently, baby bottles for the discerning bébé. As someone who takes hot bevvies very seriously, I had to see if the cozy season favorite was truly worth the hype.

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Queer Eye star Tan France and his husband Rob France have welcomed their second baby together via surrogate. The 39-year-old reality TV star confirmed the birth of their son, Isaac, on Instagram. “Welcome baby boy #2, Isaac France, born this past weekend. He completes our little family perfectly,” he captioned the post, which featured the new family of four. The Next in Fashion host also shared his thanks for their surrogate, writing, “And a huge thank you to our incredible warrior of a surrogate, for giving us the greatest gift one could ever give.” In the comments, France’s fellow Queer Eye co-stars rushed to congratulate the couple on their newest addition. Bobby Berk wrote, “My babies havin babies,” while Karamo Brown said: “So happy for the world to meet your new beautiful baby!!! What a blessed family!” “Awee Tannay!!!! Cutest family,” commented Jonathan Van Ness. France announced on 13 April that he and his illustrator husband were welcoming a new addition to their family summer. In August 2021, the parents welcomed their eldest son, Ismail, who was born prematurely. In a video clip posted to Instagram, France revealed that the couple have been wanting to expand their family for a “long time”. “Hard to believe it was two years ago today we announced Ismail was on his way! And today – we couldn’t be prouder to share that he’s going to be a big brother!” France captioned the post. “Becoming dads has been our greatest joy, and we are so excited to grow our family with the help of our wonderful surrogate.” The British-American fashion designer previously recalled the moment he and his husband learned their surrogate was pregnant last December. “We were over the moon,” France said in an interview with People in April. “It was the best feeling ever. I mean, it felt almost as shocking as the first time. I was overjoyed, in tears, I couldn’t believe that it had finally happened again. It was just the most incredible feeling.” France explained that the couple decided to have another child because they wanted their son Ismail to have a built-in best friend that was also close in age. "We wanted him to have someone that will be his person that he’s tethered to,” France told the outlet. “I’m really close with my siblings and my husband is really close with his, so we wanted to create a family where [our child] would have more support other than just Rob and I.” He added the most exciting part about expecting another baby is that Ismail will “have somebody hopefully for the rest of his life that he gets to call his person”. While he revealed that the couple already know the sex of their unborn baby, they won’t be sharing it with fans just yet. However, the two have already picked out a name for baby number two. Speaking to People, France also gave insight into the couple’s “wonderful” relationship with their surrogate, whom he praised as an “incredible woman.” “The only thing that’s different is that she’s out of state,” said France, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. “So we don’t get to see her in real life as much, but we see her on FaceTime or Zoom. We text regularly, and so it’s been great.” In August 2021, Tan France and husband Rob welcomed their eldest child Ismail seven weeks earlier than his due date. The newborn spent three weeks in the NICU (newborn intensive care unit) before he was taken home. “Give our son a warm welcome,” France captioned a photo of the parents smiling with their son. “Ismail France, born July 10th.” “He came seven weeks early, so he’s been in the NICU for the past three weeks,” he wrote. “But, today, we finally got to bring him home. We love him so, so much. Like, fully obsessed.” France added that their surrogate was “doing so great” post-labour and they “couldn’t be more grateful for the greatest gift in our lives.” Read More Tan France reveals his grandfather used to make knockoff Disney products Queer Eye’s Tan France welcomes first child after surrogate gives birth seven weeks early Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski engaged to boyfriend Kevin Harrington How a hay fever medication transformed my life Dermatologist horrifies viewers by discussing mites that live in your skin ‘Unsupportive backgrounds’ make LGBT+ youth twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts – report finds

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Giorgio Armani has closed Milan Fashion Week with good vibes and a front row that included frequent guests such as Cate Blanchette and Juliette Binoche