The document provides information on questions related to sex for those with conditions like spina bifida or hydrocephalus. It discusses topics like consent, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and maintaining continence during sex. The document recommends always using effective contraception, getting tested if an STI is suspected, and taking a daily folic acid supplement prior to conception to reduce risks for those with higher chances of neural tube defects in babies. It provides contact information for further resources and support.

1. shinecharity.org.uk
info@shinecharity.org.uk
42 Park Road
Peterborough
PE1 2UQ
01733 555988
Sex: questions you may ask
Sex is not compulsory. be unprepared and risk pregnancy
or a sexually transmitted disease.
Whenever you decide to have sex Make sure you always use effective
with someone it should be your contraception.
choice and most people would see
sex as the natural progression of a What kind of contraception
loving relationship. should I use?
Although the majority of sexual There are many methods of
relationships are heterosexual (man/ contraception available, some
woman), some people find they are safer than others. Whatever you
attracted to people of the same sex. choose, it is important to use an
And that’s OK too. A gay or lesbian effective contraception method.
relationship can be as fulfilling Using a condom with or without
and loving (and as permanent) as a spermicidal barrier cream is a
any other. Unfortunately, some way of protecting yourself against
people make stupid jokes about a sexually transmitted disease
homosexuals - difficult though it including AIDS/HIV and is an
is, just ignore them...and hope that effective method of contraception.
they soon mature!
If you, or your partner, have spina
Remember that if you are at a party bifida you should ideally be using
and have had a few drinks your latex free condoms, eg “Avanti”
judgement could be affected and which are made by Durex and
you could end up having sex with available from most chemists or
someone and regretting it later. If Family Planning Clinics.
you have not made a considered
decision to have sex you could also There are many myths concerning

2. Sex: questions you may ask
contraception and they are not to • pain and/or bleeding during
be believed. Remember – you intercourse
can get pregnant the first time.
• bleeding after sex and/or between
Sexually transmitted periods
infections (STIs)
Be aware that some STIs show no
STIs are passed on through bodily symptoms at all. Most STIs can
fluids, like saliva, blood and sexual be completely cured if they are
fluids (eg sperm). You catch an diagnosed early enough. Usually a
STI by having sex or oral sex with short course of antibiotics will clear
someone who’s infected. them up. But if you have an STI and
ignore it there is a risk that you can
The best way to avoid STIs is by cause permanent damage to your
using a condom when having sex health and fertility.
and this includes oral sex.
If you do not wish to speak to your
If you think you have acquired GP about this, you could go to
an STI you should seek medical one of the NHS drop in centres, or
advice immediately. your nearest Family Planning Clinic.
There is a low cost Family Planning
These are some STIs you may Association helpline number
have heard of: chlamydia, available Monday to Friday 9 am to
genital herpes, AIDS, HIV, pubic 6 pm – 0845 122 8690.
lice, syphilis and gonorrhoea
(sometimes referred to as the Sex and Continence
“clap”)
To prevent any “accidents” during
Common symptoms of STIs: intercourse make sure your bladder
and bowel are empty beforehand.
• pain or burning when you pass If you use clean intermittent
urine catheterisation, do so prior to
intercourse – this can sometimes
• itches, rashes, lumps or blisters interfere with the spontaneity of the
around the genitals or anus moment but does reduce the risk
of any embarrassing situations!

3. If you have an indwelling catheter, to the general population and is only
you can still have penetrative sex. If available on prescription.
you are male you should be wearing
a condom anyway, and so the Many pregnancies are unplanned
condom will go over the catheter. and accidental pregnancies do
Make sure you empty your bag first occur, so if your have started having
and use a spigot or bung in the sex speak to your GP about folic
end of the catheter tube where the acid.
bag is usually attached. If you are
female, again empty the bag and Further reading:
place a spigot or bung where the
bag usually goes. Then tape the Sex and spina bifida -
catheter to the inside part of your a leaflet for men
thigh – this will keep it out of the
way. If you are able to catheterise Sex and spina bifida -
yourself you can just remove the a leaflet for women
catheter and then replace it with a
new one when you have finished. Useful contacts
Remember Folic acid! www.fpa.org.uk
It is recommended that all women www.teenagehealthfreak.org
of child bearing age take a daily
supplement of folic acid to reduce www.tht.org.uk
the risk of having a baby with a
neural tube defect (NTD) eg spina www.embarrassingproblems.com
bifida. If you or your partner have
spina bifida your chances of having Sexwise: 0800 282930
a baby with a NTD are increased. To NHS Direct: 0845 4647
reduce this risk, it is recommended FPA: 0845 3101334
that women in this higher risk group
take a daily 5mg supplement of folic
acid for at least one month prior to
conception, and until the 12th week
of pregnancy. This is a higher dose
than that which is recommended

4. Help us
Shine relies on people’s generosity and support so we can help our clients
who depend on us for help and advice - people with hydrocephalus, spina
bifida, their families and carers. To donate to Shine please visit
www.shinecharity.org.uk or call 01733 421329.
This information has been produced by Shine’s medical advisers and
approved by Shine’s Medical Advisory Committee of senior medical
professionals.
Shine - Registered charity no.249338
To see our full range of information sheets and to find out how to donate to
Shine please visit www.shinecharity.org.uk