Your Sexual Health Your sexual health isn’t just about satisfying, safe sex. It also encompasses your relationships, your physical health, your self-confidence and your peace of mind. Discover what sexual health means and five actions steps to help get you there. What is Sexual Health? A Healthier Body Protect your health and your partners’ health Avoid STIs and HIB Prevent cancers caused by STIs Good sexual functioning and performance Overall health and well-being Have planned and healthy pregnancies when wanted Protect your ability to have children (your fertility) A satisfying sex life That is right for you and your partners That is pleasurable That is based on your personal values, desires, and boundaries Includes your choice to be sexually active or not Allows you to explore and feel comfortable in your choices Positive relationships Based on open and honest communication Respectful, pleasurable, comfortable and safe Free of fear, pressure or violence Where you experience love, intimacy, and affection Balanced and fair Feeling good about yourself and having peace of mind Be in control of your sexual choices Feel confident Be comfortable with yourself, body and sexual identity Feel positive about practicing safer sex, including use of condoms and/or contraceptives Reduce stress, worry and regrets related to sex/sexual health Overall Benefits of Good Sexual Health Value who you are and decide what’s right for you Value yourself—what’s on the inside and outside, including your body ad sexual identity. Think about what you want—define your personal values, desires and boundaries. These might change over time. Understand what you want before you get involved with someone. Recognize that we are all sexual beings; it’s a natural part of life. Know that sex can bring you pleasure, intimacy and joy. Reveal Benefits Benefits Be in control of your sexual choices. Feel comfortable with yourself, your body, and your sexual identity. Feel confident. Have peace of mind, and reduce stress, worry, or regrets.. Have a sex life that’s right for you and your partners Enjoy a pleasurable sex life. Flip Card Treat your partners well and expect them to treat you well Be with someone who makes you feel good about yourself, comfortable, and safe. Partners should respect your boundaries and not pressure you. Partners should care about your health and well-being. Partners should make you happy. Reveal Benefits Benefits Have relationships based on open and honest communication. Have relationships that are respectful, pleasurable, comfortable, and safe. Experience love, intimacy, and affection. Be free of fear, pressure or violence in relationships. Have relationships that are balanced and fair. Flip Card Build positive relationships Respect your partner and make decisions together. Have open and honest conversations about your relationship, desires, and sexual health. If your partner is violent, pressures, or tries to control you, seek help. Value yourself, and what’s right for you. Reveal Benefits Benefits Have relationships based on open and honest communication. Have relationships that are respectful, pleasurable, comfortable, and safe. Experience love, intimacy, and affection. Be free of fear, pressure or violence in relationships. Have relationships that are balanced and fair. Flip Card Get smart about your body and protect it Learn about your body and how it works (anatomy, sexual expression, pleasure and safer sex). Choose if and when you want to be sexually active. Practice safer sex to prevent STIs and unplanned pregnancies. Plan ahead and be prepared with condoms and/or other contraceptives. Take steps to protect yourself and your partners. Reveal Benefits Benefits Prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Reduce risk of male and female cancers related to STIs (cervical, anal, throat, and penile). Maintain healthy sexual functioning/performance. Enjoy good health and well-being. Feel positive about practicing safer-sex. Have planned and healthy pregnancies, when wanted. Protect your ability to have children (your fertility). Flip Card Make sexual health part of your healthcare routine Find a health care provider/clinic that’s right for you and makes you feel comfortable. Get regular sexual health wellness check-ups (screenings for STIs, vaccines, and contraceptive options. Have open and honest conversations with your provider. Discuss any concerns about sexual functioning or other problems. Check out the new guide, “Take Charge of Your Sexual Health: What You Need to Know About Preventive Services.” Reveal Benefits Benefits With vaccines, protect yourself from STIs, such as HPV and Hepatitis. With screening, detect STIs and get treated early. Help avoid serious problems from developing. Get advice on the best contraceptive options for you. Improve sexual functioning/performance. Have planned and healthy pregnancies. Flip Card Make sexual health part of your health care routine. Ask a provider about the following sexual health services. HPV Vaccination (men and women up to age 45) Chlamydia screening annually (women up to age 25) Highly-reliable birth control options Hormonal IUD Non-hormonal (copper) IUD Nexplanon sub-dermal hormonal implant Emergency Contraception – Plan B Periodic pap test (women age 21 and older) HIV test every year for men who have sex with men HIV PrEP: pre-exposure prophylaxis HIV PEP: post-exposure prophylaxis
