Sexual health and you
The clearer your standards and expectations, the easier it is to know whether a relationship is right for you. Knowing where you stand is a necessary starting point to engage in behaviour that honours your values and beliefs, and protects the future you see for yourself.
The Canadian Health Network (Health Canada) offers a few questions you should ask yourself to help you to clarify your standards and expectations of an intimate relationship. You should consider your ideal partner and how you want to feel in an ideal relationship. You also need to decide if you are going to be sexually active with your partner. Know that if you choose to abstain, there are resources and information on how to make that decision an easy and comfortable one.
If you are going to be sexually active, it is important to practice safe sex at all times, by using condoms and other protection and knowing your partner's sexual history.
Carefully consider what level of sexual activity you are comfortable with. Then be clear with your partner about your sexual limits.
The pros of using a condom:
easy to get, relatively inexpensive, discreet to carry
great variety available
can be part of sexual foreplay
protect against HIV, other STIs and unintended pregnancy
used with lubricant, sensitivity is increased
protects against infertility (some STIs may lead to infertility)
if not worried about STIs and pregnancy, sex is less worrisome and therefore more pleasurable
Health Canada offers some statistics on the success rate of condoms and the ability to prevent STIs. Since the highest rate of STI incidents occur in individuals between 15 and 24 years of age, it is particularly important to be careful. Some STIs can be treated or cured, but HIV/AIDS cannot
Sexual Health is everyone's responsibility. Know your body, your values and beliefs, and do not be pressured into anything you do not feel comfortable doing. Having sex may be a right of passage into adulthood/maturity, however with that right comes responsibility and consequences. Make sure you are ready for all that having sex entails. Be wise and safe.
If you have questions or concerns about your sexual health contact:
Fowler/Kennedy Clinic — Student Health: 452-4230, Room SC1001
Middlesex-London Health Unit: 663-5446
If you would like to talk with a counsellor about relationship issues contact:
Counselling and Student Life Services: 452-4282, Room F2010
The Canadian Health Network (Health Canada) offers a few questions you should ask yourself to help you to clarify your standards and expectations of an intimate relationship. You should consider your ideal partner and how you want to feel in an ideal relationship. You also need to decide if you are going to be sexually active with your partner. Know that if you choose to abstain, there are resources and information on how to make that decision an easy and comfortable one.
If you are going to be sexually active, it is important to practice safe sex at all times, by using condoms and other protection and knowing your partner's sexual history.
Carefully consider what level of sexual activity you are comfortable with. Then be clear with your partner about your sexual limits.
The pros of using a condom:
easy to get, relatively inexpensive, discreet to carry
great variety available
can be part of sexual foreplay
protect against HIV, other STIs and unintended pregnancy
used with lubricant, sensitivity is increased
protects against infertility (some STIs may lead to infertility)
if not worried about STIs and pregnancy, sex is less worrisome and therefore more pleasurable
Health Canada offers some statistics on the success rate of condoms and the ability to prevent STIs. Since the highest rate of STI incidents occur in individuals between 15 and 24 years of age, it is particularly important to be careful. Some STIs can be treated or cured, but HIV/AIDS cannot
Sexual Health is everyone's responsibility. Know your body, your values and beliefs, and do not be pressured into anything you do not feel comfortable doing. Having sex may be a right of passage into adulthood/maturity, however with that right comes responsibility and consequences. Make sure you are ready for all that having sex entails. Be wise and safe.
If you have questions or concerns about your sexual health contact:
Fowler/Kennedy Clinic — Student Health: 452-4230, Room SC1001
Middlesex-London Health Unit: 663-5446
If you would like to talk with a counsellor about relationship issues contact:
Counselling and Student Life Services: 452-4282, Room F2010
