A SEXUAL health charity has revealed people in the East of England are most likely to find it easier to have sex than talk about it.

The Family Planning Association quizzed 2,000 people aged 16 and over and released new figures in time for Sexual Health Week (September 12-18.)

The survey revealed three-quarters of people had never been checked for a sexually transmitted disease.

Nearly one-third (32 per cent) said their sex and relationships education lessons were too biological and not enough about what it is actually like to have sex and be in a relationship, and two-fifths said it is easier to have sex than to talk about it.

This is the highest number in the UK.

The news comes as 34,893 new STI diagnoses were made in the East of England alone last year.

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The charity hopes the figures will challenge people’s knowledge and attitudes around sexually transmitted infections and using condoms for safer sex.

STI rates in the UK remain high and many people say they can experience barriers to using condoms and getting tested. 

FPA’s Chief Executive, Natika H Halil, said: “There is still a huge amount of stigma around STIs and sex, which is not helpful when we’re trying to encourage more open conversations between sexual partners and increase condom use.

“The main problem is that we still do not have statutory sex and relationships education (SRE), which means many young people are not given important information about enjoying safer sex, or consistently taught skills like talking about condoms with a partner.”

When asked about their own SRE, only 11 per cent in the East of England said they learnt how to confidently talk to a partner about using condoms, and only nine per cent learnt about dealing with situations where a partner puts pressure on you to have sex without using a condom.

With more than one-fifth of people (21 per cent) from the area saying they don't enjoy sex as much when using condoms, it is important to highlight ways to make using condoms a more desirable option.

Ms Halil added: “Men can experiment with different kinds of condoms, including varying shapes and sizes, to find which type feel best for them.

“This helps to make condoms an aid to pleasurable sex without the worry of infections, rather than something which creates awkwardness and is more likely to be abandoned in the heat of the moment because of a lack of practice and confidence.

“We also want to finally banish this stubborn idea that it is taboo for women to buy and carry condoms – protecting yourself from infections and unplanned pregnancy is nothing less than a responsible health choice.”

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And if you thought it was just the younger generations that need more education, you would be wrong.

Ms Halil said: “Our survey drew out some really interesting differences between age groups – while the older age groups were generally more likely to report being in long-term monogamous relationships and not needing to worry about STIs or condom use, the education they received growing up tended to be poorer than the younger age groups.

“For older people who are embarking on new relationships in later life, a lack of quality SRE at schools and many years of feeling like sexual health messages are not relevant for them can result in a lack of awareness and confidence to safely enjoy sex with a new partner.

"We have certainly seen increases in STI diagnoses among over 45s."

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