Published on Thursday, 13 February 2020 at 12:00:00 AM
Sexual health is about adopting a healthy physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. Sexual health is more than just practicing safe sex, contraception and avoiding STIs and unwanted pregnancies. It also involves taking responsibility for your own health and the health of your partner. It is important to have open communication and being confident in the decisions you make.
What is an STI?
A sexually transmitted Infection (STI) is defined as an infection that can be passed on during sexual activity. This includes skin to skin, oral sex and penetrative sex. There are many kinds of STIs and every STI has different symptoms such as rash, bumps or burning sensation. However, it is important to note that most of the time, STIs will have no signs or symptoms straight away.
Prevention is better than cure
Be informed on how you can practice safe and healthy sex by protecting yourself and your sexual partner against STIs and unplanned pregnancy. You can practice safer sex by:
- Using condoms and lubricants
- Having sex with only one monogamous partner
- Reducing the number of people you have sex with
- Not having sex
Although condoms are 98% effective at protecting against most STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea, it is important to know that they do not protect you from every STIs such as herpes, genital warts an syphilis, which are spread from skin to skin contact.
Get regular sexual health checks
If you are sexually active, it is important to conduct regular health checks. You may not notice when you get an STI as most of the time they do not show any symptoms and the only way to know for certain is to have a sexual health test. Sexual health tests can involve blood tests, urine samples and swabs. This may sound intimidating but there is nothing to be afraid of. Wirraka Maya doctors and nurses are experienced health professionals who will help you feel comfortable with the process.
Book an appointment to have your sexual health check this WA Sexual Health Week at Wirraka Maya.
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