A quarter of 18-24 year olds hoping to have sex this year

·23% have had unprotected sex over the festive season

· A new report* today reveals how a quarter (23%) of 18 – 24 year old Brits have admitted to having had sex without a condom over the festive peiod, whilst one in ten (11%) confesses to having had sex with more than one person in a week .

A very steamy 62% of young people have owned up to having a seasonal snog under the mistletoe.

The report released today by www.condomessentialwear.co.uk**, highlights some embarrassing Christmas party pitfalls with a staggering 41% of young people kissing someone they shouldn't have and 17% waking up next to someone out of bounds! Although this is hardly surprising given that 70% admit that drink is the main reason they have the confidence to try and pull.

According to the research, only a quarter (24%) of young Brits said they’d take condoms with them when out partying. . While 78% of girls will be taking make up with them to a party, only one in ten (11%) would consider carrying condoms in their handbag. Guys are more likely to think condoms are essential for a festive night out (44%) but a staggering (72%) would pop a packet of chewing gum into their back pocket.

Overall young people are out on the pull and are likely to be more interested in whether they smell hot or not rather than protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Condom Essential Wear spokesperson, Dr Petra Boynton said:

“It is worrying that many women still don’t carry condoms with them on a night out. Planning ahead and carrying condoms will mean that you’re far more in control and have a choice if you do meet someone and want to take things further. Responsibility for carrying a condom shouldn’t just fall to the guy - before you head off on a night out think: ‘wallet, phone, and condom’.

Alcohol often plays a large part in our behaviour at Christmas parties, it is easy to assume that it will help overcome nerves but drinking too much could mean everything from putting your job at risk to catching an STI or getting pregnant.”

STIs such as chlamydia, are spreading fast among 18 to 24 year olds. Nearly two thirds of those surveyed (65%) admitted that getting an STI was one of biggest risks of unsafe sex at a Christmas party whilst 27% were most concerned about unwanted pregnancies.

Top tips for surviving the party season

Remember to get plenty of condoms before Christmas (see ‘Forward Planning’ section below) Carry condoms with you when you go out over the Christmas season in case you or your friends get lucky Remember alcohol and sex don’t mix. The more you drink the more difficult it is to negotiate safer sex and remember to use a condom. It also can result in guys having embarrassing problems with not being able to “get it up”.

S A F E

Safer sex

Don't get chlamydia!

Make sure it’s sex you want and you’re not being pressured into it

Alcohol

If you drink you're not just likely to risk pulling someone you wished you hadn't after wearing beer goggles. People who drink alcohol are more likely to

- have sex without using a condom

- risk catching an STI

- Men who drink alcohol are more likely to have problems getting and keeping an erection. You don't want to be a flop in bed with the person you've had your eye on all year.

Forward planning

Condoms are free from

- Your GP

- Family Planning / Reproductive Health Clinic

- GU (Genito Urinary) clinic

Or you can buy condoms at the supermarket, pharmacy or a vending machine.

You can also get cheap condoms online

Emergency

You can get the emergency contraceptive pill (also known as ‘the morning after pill’) from your GP or a Community Contraceptive (Family Planning) clinic. You can also get them from a pharmacy, although you may have to pay for them if you’re over 16. If you can’t get to any of these places over the holiday season, you can get them at a hospital A&E dept.