Helen Knox: RGN, Dip DN, FP & Adv FP A-08 Cert, FAETC.
Helen trained as a Registered Nurse at the Westminster Hospital, London, before working as a Senior Staff Nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital A&E Dept, London and later as a District Nursing Sister in west London.

For over a decade, she has worked in the field of contraception and sexual health.From 1991-2001 she was the UK’s first Outreach Clinical Nurse Specialist in Contraception and Sexual Health, in south London.

In 1994 she was a finalist in the Nursing Times/3M National Nursing Awards for Innovation in Nursing and Midwifery for exceptional work in expanding the outreach work related to Family Planning and Sexual Health.

Helen has extensive experience in teaching contraception and sexual health to the public as well as her own profession. In 1999, she founded and now works for SEXplained... Ltd but has worked in Family Planning Clinics and taught in men’s prisons, homeless hostels, drug agencies, probation centres, schools, colleges, civic centres and to sex workers - as well as Schools of Nursing and Universities.

Her teaching style is uniquely open and frank - with no holds barred. She keeps to the medical perspective when teaching, leaving the moral and other wider issues to the Church and others.At no time has she ever promoted underage sex or sexual activity – indeed the opposite – from a legally and medically reasoned perspective.

SEXplained... The Uncensored Guide to Sexual Health, Helen’s highly acclaimed first book, published in 1995, covers all the issues relating to sexually transmitted infection and is also written specifically for the public.

In this, her first book in the SEXplained...® series, she pioneers teaching safer sex from the hepatitis prevention viewpoint, rather than the HIV angle, since it is a bigger threat than AIDS.Medical photographs are reproduced in colour to illustrate, with chilling effect, some increasingly common infections that reinforce her message - and to stimulate discussion.

Since 1995, Helen has appeared frequently on television, given regular radio interviews and taken part in radio phone-ins. She is also a regular contributor to publications reaching a wide cross-section of target audiences.

In February 1998 she became the ‘resident’ Virgin Sexpert, holding the first live online Sexual Health Cyber Clinic for Virgin Net. She also answers individual questions via e-mail from her own SEXplained Website at http://www.sexplained.com. In the same year, alongside Robbie Gee and Eddie Nestor, the UK’s leading Black comedy duo she appeared in their show A Wha Me A Go Win. Helen is also a medical advisor to T.E.E.M.S. paramedic nightclub security, London.

In 1999, Helen’s second book, SEXplained 2... For Young People was published and her SEXplained... Sexual Health Cyber Clinic/Newsgroup won the Innovation of the Year category at the UK Erotic Oscars.

In 2000, whilst promoting SEXplained... in Barbados, Helen was invited to teach at The Community College, Bridgetown and in 2001she was invited be the first SEXpert Columnist for The NATION newspaper's Better Health magazine.

While in Trinidad, Helen gave a 50 minute interview on Power 102FM with a live phone in, and in Barbados, a live phone in on CBC.

SEXplained... has been extremely well received in Barbados and Trinidad, from where the books are available for sale throughout the Caribbean. The Nation is Helen's new distributor for SEXplained... Books, in Barbados.In 2000, SEXplained... Ltd introduced SEXplained... Training for Trainers & Influencers to widen education related to contraception and sexual health related material as far as possible. On leaving her Outreach post in south London in May 2001, to concentrate on developing SEXplained... Ltd, Helen has also introduced SEXplained... Teachabouts.

Along with Robbie Gee and Eddie Nestor, and separate from the SEXplained... Roadshow, she is further involved with:So You Think You Know About Sex?Publication of SEXplained 2… For Young People was supported by Schering Health Care Ltd and Condomania (UK) Ltd.

She was filmed for BBC Choice TV and in 2002, Helen started for the http://www.BBC.co.uk website as online sexpert alongside Suzie Hayman.

For the First Time: The book everyone should read before doing anything sexual.
SEXplained... The Uncensored Guide to Sexual Health by Helen Knox. The whole subject of sexual health is discussed in a simple, realistic, non-medical format by a specialist in Contraception and Sexual Health. A plain speaking guide for all is available, which accepts that certain activities occur without being discussed openly – be you straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual. The rules of safer sex are completely re-written, to keep you safe from all sexually transmitted infections all sexually transmitted infections all sexually transmitted infections all sexually transmitted infections.

Subjects covered include: general information about family planning and genito-urinary medicine clinics, what to expect if visiting them, information about  smear tests, breast and testicular self examination. Infections covered include: bacterial vaginosis, balanitis, chlamydia, cystitis, genital warts, gonorrhoea, hepatitis (A-E), herpes, HIV, lice, NSU, PID, scabies, thrush, toxic shock syndrome, trichomonas vaginalis plus contraceptive tips for men and women and much more. The most comprehensive information yet available about correct male and female condom use.It lists safe and unsafe lubricants to, or not to use with condoms.

Each section is laid out in the same easy to follow pattern, i.e.
Other name.
Where does it come from?
How is it passed on?
How long does it take to show?
What might I notice?
What tests would I have?
What treatment is there if I have it?
What should I do after I finish the treatment?
What about my partner?
What about sex?
What about oral sex, anal sex and condoms?
What complications can come from having it?
How can I avoid getting it? PLUS 12 full colour medical pictures, showing some visual signs & some results of unprotected sex!

SEXplained 2... For Young People - Content guide.
Question and answer format throughout.
Young men’s changes and Willy worries, puberty & adolescence, penis size, masturbation, having sex, testicular self-examination, testicular torsion, hydrocele, prostate, wet dreams, gential hygiene etc.
Young women’s changes and Women’s worries, puberty & adolescence, fertile mucus, ectopic pregnancy, periods & vaginal discharge, diary keeping, smoking, high blood pressure, weight & dieting, breast self-examination, clitoris, G-spot, hymen, virginity, having sex etc.

Contraception and Reproductive Health: general Family Planning Clinic information, smear tests, colposcopy and much more.

Contraceptive information, pictures and photos about:
Emergency Contraception,
The Pill,
Mini-pill (POP),
the Injection - Depo-Provera - Noristerat,
the Cap /Diaphragm,
Implant,
IUD (coil) and IUS (Mirena®),
male and female condoms,
Natural Family Planning (Safe Time),
Persona, sterilisation, vaginal rings, vaccines, patches and other possibilities – including what men should understand about each method.

Growing up and new experiences related to sex, relationships and the many emotions involved. Having sex, masturbation, orgasm, heavy petting, sex outside marriage, commonly asked questions, sex and pregnancy, parents and general information.‘Am I different?’, Young People, Sex and the Law Safer Sex SEXplained...® (oral sex, Funky Dental Dams, condoms (in depth), jel charging, safer sex negotiation,Double Dutch, and un/safe lubricant list) Penis Manners SEXplained...®. Safer Dating & Clubbing SEXplained...® (ID, clothing, theft, mobile phones, lone danger, casual sex, accepting lifts, mini-cabs, being alone with a stranger, date rape, swapping addresses, drink, drugs & fights - and more!) Disability SEXplained...®. Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinics SEXplained...®. SEXplained...® List of Alternative Words – language and respect. PLUS...... male and female reproductive anatomy illustrations, word search puzzles, cartoons, other graphics and celebrity quotes related to contraception and sexual health.

Suitable for young people from 10 and/or adults who missed out on good sex education – especially if you now have to answer young people’s questions!

SEXplained 2... For Young People … Answers the Real Questions About Sex Most young people have a little knowledge and a great deal of curiosity about sex and physical relationships. However, sometimes a little knowledge can be dangerous, particularly when it comes to balancing the risks with the pleasures of a liaison.The early years of discovering what a young person wants from a permanent relationship can be exciting and confusing. Many will need to seek advice to help them cope with a wide range of issues that should be understood before embarking on a physical relationship. This includes puberty, menstruation, contraception, sexual health, legal issues and personal safety.

Everything a young person could want to know, but might have been afraid to ask, is now available in young-person friendly, new resource: SEXplained 2... For Young People. Written and published by Helen Knox, an Outreach Nurse Specialist in Contraception and Sexual Health, and a sequel to SEXplained... The Uncensored Guide to Sexual Health, this latest book from Knox Publishing is aimed at 10 to 24 year olds, their parents and, in fact, anyone working in the field of Sexual Health.

Her book provides readers with a comprehensive text on sex education that, hitherto, would have been researched from a number of different sources. It addresses the hundreds of real questions posed by the girls and boys, young women and young men, Helen has been teaching for over a decade. It also deals with the problems experienced by those who have attended her sexual health clinics. She tackles these issues without embarrassment and presents the answers in such a way as to allow the reader to make informed choices without moralising, seeming paternalistic or patronising.

Her style is direct and populist; her text, liberally illustrated with technical drawings and examples of the various forms of contraception available today. Woven into the text are comments from actors, singers, and others in the public eye, with whom her young readers will identify.

She says: ‘SEXplained 2... For Young People will enable someone to evaluate the risks and pleasures of sex before arriving at an informed choice related to their own sexual activity. ‘Young people need to develop a sense of responsibility towards each other as well as themselves. Of course, it won’t stop those determined to have underage sex. But the more young people know, about the many other issues that affect physical relationships, the better able they will be to prevent such problems as unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection'.

What Sexual Health Professionals Have Said About SEXplained 2… For Young People

At last! A book that young people can read and understand, and does help to clear the confusion.

Dr Fay Hutchinson, Senior Medical Officer, London Brook Advisory Centres.

This book draws together the information required to provide a comprehensive text on sex education which hitherto would have had to have be sought in different places. Its communicative and, at times, frank approach makes it accessible and useful to all those who wish to learn more, whatever their background.

Christine Robinson MB, BChir, MA, MFFP, MRCOG, Community Consultant Gynaecologist.

Too often the real-life issues that affect young people deeply are not dealt with at school or are tackled in a paternalistic and patronising way. This book deals with one of these issues in a straightforward, open and informative way.

Ian Smith, Learning Unlimited, Scotland.

What an amazing publication. It's a very useful resource that anyone working with young people could use.

Alison Robert, Development Co-Ordinator, London Brook Advisory Centres.