What is sexual health?
Sexual health involves being able to enjoy the positive aspects of sexual and
reproductive behaviour and to make informed choices that fit with your personal
values. It is affected by gender, age, ability, social class, cultural background,
sexual orientation, and values. Sexual health also involves freedom from fear,
shame, guilt, difficulties or dysfunctions and diseases. Sexual health includes
physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. For more definitions of sexuality
and sexual health, see the Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education.
Taking care of your sexual health is an important part of maintaining your
health in general. To make sure that you're sexually healthy, you need access
to private, non-judgmental information and services to help you make informed
decisions.
What should I know about menstruation before I get my first period?
If you're a pre-teen or adolescent girl, it's a very good idea for you to learn
about periods before you start menstruating. This can help you understand and
feel good about the changes happening in your body. It's also very important
for you to know that, once you start your periods, you can get pregnant if you
have sexual intercourse. In fact, an egg may be released about 14 days before
your very first period, which means you could actually get pregnant up to two
weeks before you start menstruating. So whether or not you have started your
periods, if you're sexually active or are thinking about having sex, it's a
good idea for you to learn about and use birth control.
Why should I keep track of my menstrual cycle?
The menstrual cycle is the process of hormonal changes through
which a woman releases an egg (ovum) each month. The release of the egg is called
ovulation. Keeping track of your menstrual cycle can help you understand changes
happening in your body. The length of each menstrual cycle is the number of
days between the first bleeding day of one period and the first bleeding day
of the next period. A typical menstrual cycle is around 28 days, although this
is different for every woman. It's a good idea to consult with your health care
provider any time you notice significant changes in your menstrual cycle, including
irregular periods, an unusually late period, a missed period or unusual cramps.
How do I choose a birth control method?
If you plan on having sexual intercourse but you don't want to get pregnant,
it's a good idea to find out about birth
control options, emergency contraception and protection from sexually
transmitted infections (STIs). The best method of birth control is different
for each woman, depending on her needs and her situation. For more information
on choosing the birth control option that's right for you, talk to a birth control
counsellor or a doctor or nurse. You can also contact your
local Canadian Federation for Sexual Health Member Organization.
How can I protect myself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
including HIV?
The best way to protect yourself from an STI if you are sexually active is
to practice safer sex every time and all the time. The risk of contracting
an STI depends on the sexual behaviour. People can also choose abstinence (no sexual contact) as a way of protecting
themselves from infections. Two of the basic rules for safer sex are:
- Avoid exchanging potentially infectious body fluids (including semen, blood,
pre-ejaculatory fluid, and vaginal fluids).
- Avoid having sex if a partner has a sore on his or her body.
You can also reduce your risk of getting some STIs by having fewer sexual partners.
However, if you're not practicing safer sex with your partner or partners, it's
still possible to get an STI. Be sure to talk about monogamy with your partner
if you choose to be with only one person. Don't just assume that you're in a
monogamous relationship. Ask your doctor about routine STI testing if you're
sexually active, whether or not you have symptoms of an STI.
What should I know about pelvic exams or pap tests and breast exams?
By age 18 or once you become sexually active, you need a yearly pelvic exam. In a pelvic exam, a doctor or nurse will examine
your external genitals and internal reproductive organs. Your doctor will also
do a pap
test to check the cells around your cervix. A pap test is not the same thing
as an STI test. A pap test helps detect and prevent cervical cancer. You can
be tested for some STIs at the same time as you have a pap test, if you ask
your doctor. Your doctor may also do a breast exam as part of your yearly check-up.
What else should I know about taking care of my sexual health?
- See your doctor if you
have pelvic pain, pain during sex or other changes in your body. You should
also talk to your health care provider about any changes in your sexual functioning
and about how medications and illness affect your sexuality.
- Get in the habit of examining
your genitals on a regular basis so that you know what your body looks like
when you're healthy – that way, you'll notice any unusual sores, discharge
or other symptoms that may appear. See your health care provider if you notice
anything unusual.
- Get lots of information
about sexuality to help you make informed decisions and to increase your comfort
level with sexuality issues, including your body, sexual response, and sexual
orientation.
- Understand that your
body, fertility and your sexual response changes throughout your life (for
example, during pregnancy or with menopause).
- Prevent yeast infections
by avoiding perfumed soaps and bath products, scented tampons and menstrual
pads, and feminine hygiene sprays or douches. Also avoid wearing clothes that
are too tight in the crotch. To prevent bacterial infections, wipe yourself
from front to back after going to the bathroom.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking
is especially dangerous combined with certain birth control methods, it increases
your risk of cervical cancer and menstrual irregularities, it impairs your
fertility and it can increase the risk of miscarriage as well as having negative
effects on a developing fetus.
How do I find a health care provider?
Find a health care provider that you're comfortable with and
who you can talk to. Many communities have sexual health centers, Planned Parenthood
offices, women's clinics and teen clinics that provide sexual health information
and services. You can also contact your local public health unit for sexual
health information and referrals to doctors. You have a right to confidential
sexual health services. If you're not comfortable with your doctor or if you
don't have a doctor, ask your friends and family for recommendations.
Ask your health
care provider questions about your sexual health instead of waiting for
them to bring up the subject. Not all health care providers are trained to feel
comfortable with sexuality issues and they may be waiting for you to start discussions.
Additional resources
Birth Control – Women's
Health Matters (WHM)
How
can I have sex more safely? – Canadian
Health Network
How female bodies work: female sexual response –
Women's Health Matters (WHM)
What
do I need to know about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
– Canadian
Health Network
Kitzinger, S. (1983) Woman's Experience of Sex. Penguin Books.
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