Sexual Health: 101 Sexual Health 101

Transcription

1 Sexual Health 101 An IC student s guide to birth control, STD s, sexuality, and relationships.

2 Healthy relationships can be tricky to find, but don t give up! There are many genuine, caring people out there looking to have a good time and date, intimately connect, and find their soul mate. Are you are in a healthy relationship? Some traits may include: Managing conflict well. Making the relationship a priority. Making one another feel special. Arguments don t always lead to breakups! Partners openly communicate wants, needs, feelings, and emotions with feeling judged. Sexual intimacy when present is emotionally and physically satisfying to both partners. There is NO abuse: physical, verbal, or emotional.. That means no stalking or intrusive contact. The relationship is nurturing, comfortable, and fun. Both partners have boundaries and can say no to requests without feeling guilty. Each person can take care of other aspects of their life without jeopardizing the relationship. There is together time as well as alone time. Partners are honest and trustworthy. Secrets are not shared with others. *Intimacy is often strengthened when partners are friends first and become relaxed and open around each other.

3 Sexual Health: 101 Am I Ready to Have Sex? Sexuality is a normal, natural, and complicated part of life. Consider the following: Personal Values and Goals What messages have I gotten from my family about sex? What are my religious or moral views? Do I want monogamy (one partner only)? How might sex affect my future plans? Reasons for Sex? I feel like the only virgin in my group of friends. I want to get it over with. My partner will break up with me if I don t have sex. Having sex will make me more popular. I ll feel more mature if I have sex. Protecting Yourself & Partner: Physical Risks I know how to reduce my risk of getting an STI. I have condoms handy & use them. I know how to prevent pregnancy. I have reliable birth control and know how to use it effectively. I know how I would handle an STI or unintended pregnancy. I get tested for STI s regularly. I have discussed sex with my partner. I want to get back at my parents. Am I ready to Be Clear? Emotional Risks I m embarrassed to talk with my partner about safer sex and birth control. Will having sex make me feel differently about myself? It s easier to talk with my partner Will my feelings toward my when I use alcohol and other drugs. partner change after sex? I don t know how to say no. Will sex affect our commitment yo Saying no will hurt my partner s each other? feelings. What if sex isn t what I expected? I m uncomfortable letting my partner Will having sex end my relationship? do not know what kinds of sex play I do and like.

4 Take time to weigh your birth control options and discuss with your medical provider to find out the best method for you. Remember, always use a barrier (condom or dental dam) during sex to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infection and disease! Consider these questions while deciding which method of birth control is right for you: 1. Is pregnancy possible? If so, how important is it that I don t get pregnant right now? 2. How comfortable do I feel about using this method? 3. Is this method safe for me? 4. How does my partner feel about birth control? 5. Is this method easy to use? 6. How much will this method cost me (per month, per year)? 7. How do I feel about touching my body in order to use this method? 8. Do I need a method that helps protect me from HIV and other STIs? 9. Do I have religious or moral feelings about using birth control? 10. How often do I have sex? The only sure way not to get pregnant or contract an STI is not to have sex. (abstinence)

5 Contraceptives - Be informed! METHOD WHAT IS IT? % NO PREGNANCY Condoms/ Rubbers Fits over erect penis to catch sperm when man ejaculates. Perfect use 98% Typical use 85% Depo- Provera Diaphragm Foam, Suppositories, and Film Implanon Shot of artificial hormones given by medical provider. -Stops ovaries from releasing egg; thickens mucus in cervix. Rubber cup fits inside vagina, over cervix. Must be fitted by a medical provider. Used with contraceptive jelly or cream that kills sperm. Made of sperm-killing chemicals. Put into vagina before sex. Tiny rod put under skin of arm by medical provider; slowly releases artificial hormones; stops egg release from ovary. Perfect use more than 99% Typical use 97% Perfect use 94% Typical use 84% Perfect use 82% Typical use 71% More than 99% IUD (Intrauterine Device) Calendar Method Pill, Patch, Ring Small device put inside womb by medical provider; prevents sperm from fertilizing egg. Woman learns to recognize fertile days of menstrual cycle = don t have sex. Pills, skin patch, or vaginal ring that release artificial hormones; stops egg release; thickens cervical mucus; prescribed by medical provider. More than 99% Perfect use 95% Typical use 75% Perfect use more than 99% Typical use 92% Abstinence is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy and STIs.

6 What Does STD/STI Mean? STD or STI = sexually transmitted disease or infection. Some STDs infect only your sexual and reproductive organs, while others, like HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis, and herpes, can cause other bodily infections, even death... Many STDs often have NO signs OR symptoms, or the symptoms may disappear while the infection is still present. Become familiar with the signs and symptoms... Women Men Women and Men An unusual discharge or smell from your vagina. Pain in pelvic area between your belly button and genitals. Burning or itching around your vagina. Bleeding from vagina that is not regular period. Pain inside your vagina during intercourse. How Are STDs Spread? A drip or discharge from your penis. Vaginal-Penile Sex Oral or Anal Sex Some (HIV and Hepatitis B) are also spread by contact with infected blood/needle sharing. Genital Touching Sores, bumps or blisters near your genitals, rectum, or mouth. Burning and pain when you pee or have a bowel movement. Urge or need to urinate often. Itching in your genital areas. A swelling or redness in your throat. Flu-like feelings, with fever, chills, and aches. Swelling in your groin the area around your pelvic area.

7 Did you know... LGBT/GLBT: Acronyms for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, issues, and community. Bisexual: A person emotionally, romantically, sexually and relationally attracted to both men and women, though not necessarily simultaneously. A bisexual person may not be equally attracted to both sexes. Transgender: Describes a broad range of people who experience and/or express their gender differently from what most people expect. An umbrella term that includes people who are transsexual, cross-dressers or otherwise gender non-confirming. Gender identity: The gender role that a person claims for his or her self which may or may not align with his or her physical gender. Queer: A term that is inclusive of people who are not heterosexual. For some, the word has a negative connotation, but many are comfortable with it. Ally: Someone who supports and honors sexual diversity and acts to challenge sexual bias, stereotypes, and prejudices. Coming Out: The process of accepting and letting others know that you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (GLBT). This process may follow a time of questioning one s sexual orientation or gender identity. Visit the Center for LGBT Education, Outreach and Services Located on the Lower Level of Hammond Health Center. The Center provides: An office staffed by a professional program director. A resource room that offers a welcoming and supportive environment for LGBT people and their allies. Resources, information, and referrals on LGBT issues. LGBT-themed educational programs and events!

8 Services on Campus Hammond Health Center Appointments: call (607) Open: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm AND Saturday 10am-6pm Services for IC Students: GYN and other exams Pregnancy testing STI/HIV testing Prescription birth control Emergency Contraception Pills HPV Vaccine Center for Health Promotion Lower Level, Hammond Health Center Open: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Free Condoms and dental dams Free Lubricants Free Health information and brochures Information about other sexuality-related resources on campus Be Sexually Healthy!

9 Sexual Health: 101 Services in the Ithaca Community Planned Parenthood 314 W. State Street (607) Free or sliding scale services include: STI/HIV testing Annual exams Birth control counseling and supplies Abortion services Emergency contraception Plan B (morning after pill) The Southern Tier AIDS Program 501 South Meadow Street (607) Free services and supplies include: HIV Rapid Test Condoms and safer sex supplies