NHS Tayside has warned party-goers not to risk their sexual health during the festive season.
The warning comes after a private sexual health clinic in Glasgow claimed a ”Christmas hangover” leads to a rise in abortions and diagnoses of sexually-transmitted diseases during the first three months of the year.
Dr Sarah Allstaff, consultant physician with the Tayside sexual and reproductive health service, said people must be careful not to let an over-indulgence of alcohol lead to a lapse of judgement.
”Alcohol and other substances can blur people’s judgement and this can mean people end up having unsafe sex,” she said.
”Planning to be safe may include making sure you carry condoms with you, limiting alcohol intake and looking out for your friends.”
Dr Allstaff said there has been a significant rise in sexually-transmitted diseases, in recent years, adding that many carriers of diseases may not even know they are affected.
”All sexually transmitted infections can be silent to begin with and many can cause long-term health problems,” she said.
”More than 89,000 people in the UK are now living with HIV, although about a quarter of these are unaware that they are infected. You are most likely to pick up HIV from someone who does not know their HIV status.
”NHS Tayside offers a range of services for anyone who needs advice or emergency contraception and these will be available throughout the Christmas period,” she added.
”Free condoms are available from over 200 outlets across Tayside through the condom initiative and C-Card and also from your doctor, the sexual and reproductive clinic at Ninewells, Drumhar Health Centre, Perth and Abbey Health Centre, Arbroath and The Corner in Dundee.
”For your nearest condom initiative outlet, visit sexualhealthtayside.org/outlets.php.”