Sexual Wellness Program

Sexual Wellness Information

What Causes STIs?

STIs are most commonly spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex, although skin-to-skin genital contact can also spread STIs. STIs are not caused by casual contact like hugging, holding hands, or toilet seats. Infections such as HIV and HCV can spread through non-sexual routes such as drug and medical device sharing.

Signs and Symptoms

Many people who have an STI experience little or no symptoms. Others may experience pain, swelling, itching and/or burning, pain or burning when peeing, discharge and/or blood from the genitals, and unusual bumps, sores, or rashes.

Prevention Strategies

The most reliable way to avoid an STI is to not have sex (anal, vaginal, or oral). Other methods of prevention include:

• Engaging in safer sex.
  • Using condoms or dental dams correctly and consistently every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.  
• Engaging in risk-free or lower risk sexual activities.
  • Risk-free methods of sexual pleasure and intimacy include mutual masturbation, dry humping with clothes on, and touching your partner’s genitals with your hands (as long as you don’t get any of their sexual fluids on or in your mouth or genitals).
  • Lower risk sexual activities include kissing, using sex toys with a partner, dry humping (grinding) without clothes, and oral sex. It is still possible to get an STI from these activities, so using condoms and dental dams to avoid contact with skin and fluids whenever you can helps you stay healthy.
• Reducing your number of sexual partners.
• Staying up to date on vaccines is a safe and effective way to prevent Hepatitis A/B and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
• Not sharing syringes, drug preparation items, or medical devices with others.
• Taking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can reduce your chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.

Reminders

• Be sure to talk to a healthcare provider to complete the course of recommended treatment. 
• Inform your sexual partner(s) of any positive test results so they can get tested and properly treated.
• Do NOT resume sexual activities until a healthcare provider says its okay.
• Talk openly with your partner(s) and provider(s) about sexual health!