QUESTION:  My boyfriend and I have recently started having sex, are we at risk of STDs if we were both virgins when we met?

AUNTIE SAYS:  First of all, congratulations for saving your virginity for someone special instead of that lad in the year above who kind of looked a bit like he could be Brad Pitt's younger, uglier brother.  If you squinted a bit and drank too many Bacardi Breezers, I mean.  Seriously though, there are different types of sexually transmitted diseases, which can be spread in several ways, the most obvious being of course, penetratively.  However, if either you or your partner have had any other kind of close sexual contact with someone else, such as unprotected oral sex, there is a small chance you could have picked up an STD.  

If either of you experience any weird genital discharge, bleeding, rashes, pain, itching or burning sensations when you pee it's worth going to get checked out just in case.  Don't worry as most STDs can be treated easily with antibiotics, just get yourself down to the University Health Centre or a local sexual health clinic.  These places aren't as intimidating as you'd think — no one else sitting in the waiting room will want to make eye contact with you either.  

And a word of warning...some infections, such as thrush or cystitis, are not necessarily sexually transmitted, so bear that in mind before you start wondering which of your partner's possessions you should set alight to first.  

If you are under 24 and live in London, you can request a free Checkurself Chlamydia postal kit. Go to http://www.checkurself.org.uk for more info.  

If you have a problem you'd like solving send your question, anonymously, to mouth0910@hotmail.co.uk with the subject Agony.  Our Auntie and Uncle could answer you in our summer issue.