To ensure you and your partner are able to "Sexual Health is a state of physical, emotional, thoroughly enjoy your intimate moments, you mental, and social well-being in relation to should practice safe sex. Safer sex means reducing sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, your risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's) dysfunction or inrmity" (World Health and can reduce the risk of pregnancy. Organization, 2006). Prevention of STI's & Pregnancy WHAT IT INVOLVES Abstinence/Celibacy: Most e ective method for prevention of STI's and pregnancy. Abstaining from sex refers to not Positive and satisfying relationships having any form of sex (oral, anal or vaginal). Valuing and feeling good about yourself Protecting yourself from getting or transmitting an Self Masturbation: Another very e ective method for prevention of STI's and pregnancy. STI to your partner Ability to communicate about sexual health with Open Communication: It is important that you discuss others (i.e. partners and health care providers) sexual histories and any STI's you have or had with your Recognizing and respecting our partners decisions partner PRIOR to having any form of sex. about their own body Birth Control: There are various forms of birth control. Although many of these forms prevent pregnancy, not all of them protect you from STI's . Monogamy: Having sex only with one person reduces your chances of contracting an STI. When you have multiple sex partners, your risk of STI's increase, Our how-to guide on having especially if they've had sex with others. meaningful discussions about Know Your Status: Knowing your STI status is sex with your partner important for your health and could potentially save your life. Birth Control & Barrier Methods The key to having safe and enjoyable Barrier Methods are e ective in preventing both "sex-periences" with another person is open pregnancy and many STI's. These include: communication. Since unprotected sex could For Vaginal & Anal Sex: For Oral Sex & Anilingus: compromise the quality of your health, it is Male condoms Dental Dams necessary to discuss everything it entails. Female condoms Flavored Condoms Unwanted Pregnancy Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's) GIVE CONSENT, GET CONSENT In some cases, cancer or debilitating Consent must be given EVERY TIME before a diseases sexual act. If you received consent during a previous sexual encounter with this person, Relax. Feel good. Be well. While condoms can help prevent pregnancy that does not mean you have consent for HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM and reduce transmission of most STI's , you are another encounter. Ask for consent and respect still at risk. Some STI's are asymptomatic, the answer. meaning they show no symptoms, and can be If a person is under the inuence of alcohol or transmitted through direct skin to skin contact. drugs, they cannot legally consent to sexual Having this conversation can help you activity. Do not have sex with someone under the inuence. determine how you want to move forward. Asking open-ended questions encourages a more Self-awareness is about understanding your meaningful discussion on thoughts. Here are some conversation prompts to help you get started. needs, desires, and boundaries. You and your A variety of health services are partner(s) must have a clear understanding of CONVERSATION PROMPTS what you are and are not willing to do. Both you o ered to students at the and your partner(s) should consider the answers GENERAL Hey, can I ask you a question? Student Health Center. to these questions . So I was thinking... What are your thoughts about... Have you ever had sex before? Healthy Living Program TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP YOU WANT What type of relationship are you looking for? Sexual Health Consultations THE TYPE OF Do you want to date exclusively? Are you interested in casually dating, or are you Safe Sex Materials RELATIONSHIP YOU WANT looking for something more serious? STI Testing Monogamous or non-monogamous? How often do you want to have sex? Sexual or non-sexual? SEXUAL DESIRES AND BOUNDARIES Friendly or romantic? What sexual activities are you into? Clinical Services Committed or non-committed? Is there anything you're uncomfortable with sexually? STI Testing YOUR SEXUAL DESIRES Are you open to trying new things sexually? Prescription Birth Control KNOW YOUR STATUS AND BOUNDARIES Before we get intimate, its important that we What sexual activities are you willing and discuss our STI histories. not willing to do? Have you ever been tested? Are there places on your body that you do Have you been not want to be touched? tested recently? Do you have fantasies you would like to CONNECT explore? WITH US! BIRTH CONTROL AND SAFER SEX PRECAUTIONS The earlier you have the What barrier methods do you want to use? conversation, the better. Are you currently using birth control? if Remember to be open to the MMC BBC not, what kind of birth control precautions YOU OR YOUR PARTNER Student Health Center (SHC) WUC 307 do you want to use? Are you open to the possibility of ALREADY HAVE AN STI? MMC: (305) 348-2401 BBC: (305) 919-5307 pregnancy? Having an STI does not mean the end of a HLPMMC@u.edu HLPBBC@u.edu good sex life. It's best to speak with your KNOW YOUR STATUS medical provider about prevention, What is your STI history? transmission, treatment, and physical e ects. studenthealth.u.edu When were you last tested? What were your Extra precautions may need to be taken to results? prevent transmission to you or your partner. FIU Healthy Which STI's were you tested for? Gather factual information so you stay FIUHLP Living How many sexual partners have you had since informed. your last round of testing? A trusted and reliable resource is cdc.gov. You