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Sexual Health

Information on STIs, contraception, and reproductive health

Sexual Health

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Many STIs have no symptoms but can still be transmitted and cause long-term harmⓘ.

Regular STI testing is recommended for sexually active people, especially those with new or multiple partners[2].

Self-collected samples for STI testing are as accurate as clinician-collected samples[3].

Treating partners is crucial to prevent reinfection[4].

Contraception

Condoms are the only contraceptive method that also protects against STIs[5].

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (IUDs, implants) are the most effective methods[6].

Emergency contraceptionⓘ works primarily by delaying ovulation, not by preventing implantation.

Community access to condoms increases their use[8].

Fertility Awareness

Many people lack accurate knowledge about when conception is most likely[9].

The fertile windowⓘ can be tracked through methods like basal body temperature and cervical mucus monitoring.

Fertility awareness methods require proper training and consistent use to be effective for contraception.

HPV and Vaccination

HPV vaccination dramatically reduces infection rates and cervical pre-cancer[11].

HPV vaccines are effective even in people with prior HPV exposure[12].

The HPV vaccine is recommended for both males and females, ideally before sexual activity begins, but beneficial at any age up to 45.

Sexual Health Education

Comprehensive sex education reduces risky behavior and improves health outcomes[13].

Education should include:

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References

  1. Marrazzo J et al. (2024). Primary care screening for sexually transmitted infections in the United States from 2019 to 2021. PLOS ONE. [DOI]
  2. Lunny C et al. (2015). Self-Collected versus Clinician-Collected Sampling for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE. [DOI]
  3. Golden MR et al. (2015). Uptake and Population-Level Impact of Expedited Partner Therapy on Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. PLOS Medicine. [DOI]
  4. Giannou FK et al. (2017). The case for investing in the male condom. PLOS ONE. [DOI]
  5. Lindh I et al. (2015). Use of Contraception and Attitudes towards Contraceptive Use in Swedish Women. PLOS ONE. [DOI]
  6. Charania MR et al. (2017). Effectiveness of community-based condom distribution interventions to prevent HIV in the United States. PLOS ONE. [DOI]
  7. Beshir M et al. (2023). Determinants of knowledge of the highest conception probability period among reproductive age women. PLOS ONE. [DOI]
  8. Dillner J et al. (2019). Comparing HPV prevalence and type distribution between HPV-vaccinated and -unvaccinated girls after introduction of school-based HPV vaccination in Norway. PLOS ONE. [DOI]
  9. Drolet M et al. (2014). Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of L1-VLP-Based Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Efficacy against Anogenital Pre-Cancer. PLOS ONE. [DOI]
  10. Fonner VA et al. (2014). School Based Sex Education and HIV Prevention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE. [DOI]