Lecture 21 Sexual Health

Question 1

Sexual consent

Answer 1

Consent is an agreement between all participants. It must be
mutual, voluntary, informed, and ongoing.
Consent must be:
1. Mutual: everyone involved has to agree.
2. Informed: everyone involved needs to know what they are consenting to.
3. Continuous: your partner can change their mind at any time.
4. For every act: just because your partner said yes to one sexual act doesn’t mean
they have consented to every sexual act.

Question 2

Sexual communication (protection, consent, conversation, advice, barriers, STI)

Answer 2

requesting latex barriers (protections)
getting consent
starting the conversation
give advice (ask for permission to give advice, avoid judgement, be honest, give resources)
negotiating barriers (use I statements)
discussing STI status

Question 3

Safer sex practices

Answer 3

Abstinence
- Solo activities
- Use a barrier
- Negotiate sexual activity with your partner
- Properly disinfect shared sex toys
- Participate in activities where body fluids are not shared
- Avoid contact with another person’s sores
- Limit the number of sexual partners
- Share relevant information with each other about sexual history and STI status
- Avoid sex under the influence of an amount of alcohol or drugs that would
interfere with decision-making or sticking with decisions you have made about
sexual activity
- Get tested for STIs
- Get vaccinated for STIs
- Inform your previous partners if you discover you have an STI
- Treat an STI
Become informed about healthy sexuality, safer sex and STIs
- Adopt positive attitudes towards safer sex

Question 4

Proper condom use

Answer 4

If it’s past expiration date, use a newer condom.

The package should be sealed so that when you squeeze it you can feel a little air bubble.
Open the package gently with your fingers – no scissors or a sharp object that could poke a hole through the latex.

Next, you want to pinch the tip of the condom. This gets rid of any air bubble that could cause the condom to break.

Before the condom touches the penis, make sure that it will roll down correctly. If you put it on the wrong way, it won’t roll down easily. Roll down the condom to the base of the penis and smooth out any air bubbles, and add lube.

After sex, hold the condom against the base of the penis while pulling out.
Holding the condom against the penis while pulling out prevents that from happening. Take the condom off away from your partner, tie it closed and you’re done.

Question 5

STI bacteria

Answer 5

STIs caused by bacteria can be treated (cured) with antibiotics. However, a person who has been treated for a bacterial STI can become infected again if they come into contact with the bacteria again.

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis

Question 6

STI viruses

Answer 6

There is no cure for STIs caused by a virus, except for genital warts, which can be removed.

you can be vaccinated for some viral STIs (e.g. genital warts, hepatitis B).

Some medications can help reduce the symptoms of some viral STIs (e.g. genital herpes), but they are not a cure.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Genital warts, which is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV)
Hepatitis B
Genital herpes

Question 7

STI parasites

Answer 7

There are three main STIs caused by parasites.

Trichomoniasis
Pubic lice
Scabies

Question 8

In a heterosexual relationship, ways in which men can share responsibility for birth control

Answer 8

Condoms
Vasectomy: This is a surgical procedure where the vas deferens, the tube that carries sperm from the testicles to the penis, is cut, blocked or sealed off. This procedure is considered a permanent form of birth control.
Withdrawal: Also known as the “pull-out” method,
Male hormonal birth control
Fertility awareness: Men can track their partner’s menstrual cycle

Question 9

how frequently should you test for STI’s?

Answer 9

every 6 to 12 months