THE borough's sexual health services provider has launched a campaign to get new couples to have tests together.

Spectrum Community Health CIC is encouraging news couples to have sexual health checks and avoid symptoms of undiagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The provider's campaign is called Test Together.

STI testing at the start of a relationship could prevent couples from discovering STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea further down the line with Spectrum saying it helps to open up a more honest conversation about sex.

Discovering STIs as a relationship progresses makes them more difficult to treat and can increase the risk of infections spreading to the reproductive organs.

This could lead to long-term conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), epididymo-orchitis (inflammation of the testicles) and infertility.

Head of sexual health services for Spectrum, Belinda Loftus, said: “We are inviting couples into clinic to support each other and receive testing and treatment for STIs as soon as possible.

"Sexual health is part of overall healthcare and so should be talked about with partners who could be at risk.

“We strongly advise that new couples use condoms to protect against STIs before they’re tested and also to reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy.

"A Spectrum professional can offer advice on the different contraception methods available such as long-acting reversible contraception - the most reliable for those who aren’t planning on becoming pregnant.”

For more information about the campaign visit sexual-health.co.uk and to find your nearest clinic.

To get urgent treatment or emergency contraception (the morning after pill) contact 01942 483188.