September is National Sexual Health Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to check in with your sexual health not just when something feels wrong, but as part of your overall wellness. We chatted with our NP, Anelise, and she had a few things to say.
Sexual health is about much more than preventing STIs. It includes communication, consent, pleasure, relationships, reproductive health, HIV prevention, regular testing, and feeling comfortable talking with your healthcare provider. Your sexual health is health.
Sexual Health Is Part of Your Whole Health
Your sexual health can affect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Stress, medications, hormones, relationships, body image, and mental health can all influence your sexual experiences and desire.
Taking care of yourself can start with simple conversations and regular check-ins.
Know Your STI Status
Many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) do not cause symptoms, so feeling fine doesn't always mean everything is fine. Regular STI testing can help you stay informed and protect yourself and your partners.
How often you should test depends on your sexual activities, partners, and individual risk. Talk with your healthcare provider about what testing makes sense for you.
Anelise: “It takes two to tango! Knowing your status not only ensures that you are taking care of your own sexual health, but it protects your partners as well”
Know Your HIV Prevention Options
If you are HIV-negative, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can significantly reduce your risk of getting HIV when taken as prescribed. PrEP is available in different forms, including pills and injectable options.
Condoms can also help reduce the risk of HIV and many STIs. Using condoms with plenty of lube can help reduce friction and the chance of small tears in the skin that can make transmission of some infections easier.
If you are living with HIV, staying on treatment and maintaining an undetectable viral load means HIV is not sexually transmissible (U=U).
Anelise: “Don’t have insurance? No problem! There are forms of PrEP that we can get covered for little to no cost. Here at Central, we do our best to decrease barriers so you can hoe with responsibility”
Talk About Consent and Communication
Healthy sexual relationships involve communication. Talk with your partners about boundaries, safer sex, STI testing, contraception, HIV prevention, and what feels good to you.
Consent should be freely given, informed, enthusiastic, and ongoing. You can change your mind at any time, and so can your partner.
Don't Forget Pleasure!
Sexual health isn't only about what you should avoid. It's also about having positive, satisfying, and pleasurable experiences.
Explore what feels good to you, communicate your wants and boundaries, use lube, and give yourself permission to ask questions. There is no single 'normal' way to experience sexuality.
Make Sexual Health Part of Your Routine
A sexual health check-in can include:
- STI and HIV testing
- PrEP or other HIV prevention options
- Hepatitis C testing and treatment
- Vaccines such as HPV and mpox when recommended
- Birth control and reproductive health conversations
- Sexual concerns such as pain, erectile difficulties, or changes in desire
- Mental health and relationship concerns
- Questions about pleasure, consent, and safer sex
And remember: you don't have to wait until you have symptoms to talk to a healthcare provider.
Sexual Health Without Judgment
Our team provides comprehensive sexual health services, including HIV and STI testing, PrEP, HIV treatment, Hepatitis C care, gender-affirming care, primary care, mental health services, and more.
Whether you're due for testing, curious about PrEP, have questions about your sexual health, or simply want to establish care, we're here to help.
This September, make your sexual health part of your wellness routine. Get tested. Ask questions. Know your options. And take care of the whole you.
Ready to prioritize your sexual health? Stop by one of our six Central Outreach Wellness Center locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio to learn more about our services and how we can support you.
Anelise: “Believe us when we say we’ve heard it ALL. Let us be your safe space to ask all of your burning questions”
