WA Sexual Health Week 2024

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This year, the theme of Sexual Health Week is ‘Absolutely Everybody!’ which aims to celebrate the right to sexual health for all people. The theme promotes positive and respectful approaches to sexuality and sexual relationships, which are needed to respect, maintain, and fulfill positive and enjoyable sexual health.

Absolutely everybody has the right to sexual health, even if they are not having sex. Sexual health describes so much more than just the physical wellbeing around sexual behaviours, it is a state of physical, emotion, mental and social wellbeing related to sexuality.

There are many ways that you can take care of your sexual health, as well as the sexual health of others, including:

• Regular testing for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs),
• Using barrier methods (like condoms and dams) during sex,
• Practicing and respecting consent,
• Being aware of your values and boundaries,
• Holding space for others to explore their sexuality or gender identity

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Absolutely everybody has the right to decide what sex means for them, or how they define sex.

What we think about sex is shaped by many factors, such as culture, media, and the attitudes of the people around us. This is why people often think sex is defined by penetration. But this isn’t true for everyone!

Sex can involve other body parts or tools like sex toys. There are many different sexual acts, including vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, kissing, touching, and more. This can be with one partner, multiple partners, or even solo (yes, masturbation can still be considered sex!).

What sex looks like for a person can change overtime (sex doesn’t have to stop as you get older!) or fluctuate based on their life experiences. It is up to the individual to define what sex looks like for them.

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Absolutely everybody has the right to safe and pleasurable sexual experiences.

Some STIs, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes (HSV), will remain in the body for the rest of someone’s life, but with proper management a person can still live a full and healthy life. This includes their sex lives!

HIV

You may have heard of “Undetectable=Untransmissible” or “U=U”. This means that for someone living with HIV, they can take medication (as prescribed) to reduce the amount of the virus in their body to a level so low that it is considered “undetectable”. This means there is no risk of transmitting HIV to sexual partners.

HSV

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is another STI that is treatable but not curable. It is commonly spread through skin-to-skin contact and causes symptoms like blisters and cold sores. These symptoms are manageable with medication.

Barrier methods such as condoms and dams, and regular STI testing, can help reduce STI and BBV transmission. However, if you do get an STI or a BBV that can’t be cured, treatment is available that can help you have a happy and fulfilling sex life.

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Absolutely everybody has the right to safe and pleasurable sexual experiences.

Condoms are a great way of preventing both STIs and unintended pregnancy. Did you know there are other barriers methods, such as internal condoms, dental dams, and gloves? What you choose to use for safer sex depends on the type of sex you are having. There is something for everyone!

STIs and BBVs can be transmitted through body fluids. Lubricant can help reduce the risk transmission by preventing cuts and tears in the skin. Using water-based or silicone-based lube with barrier methods also reduces the risk of them breaking. Lube can also help make sex more pleasurable!

STIs and BBVs can also be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, for example, syphilis can be spread through skin contact with a syphilis chancre. This is why it is recommended to get regular tests, even if you use barrier methods.

Not all barrier methods prevent unintended pregnancy, and you should speak to a GP about contraceptive options.

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Absolutely everybody has the right to choose why and when they want to have sex (or not have sex!).

There are many reasons that people may choose to have sex, including fun, pleasure, reproduction, mood, stress, connection, culture, desire, and curiosity. An individual may have sex for different reasons throughout their lifetime.

While it may feel like everyone else is having a lot of sex, this is not always the case. Some people choose not to have sex because they experience little or no sexual attraction or desire, or they do not feel ready yet. Interest in sex may depend on someone’s mood, mental state, stress, health, medications, hormones, age, and more.

Absolutely everybody has the right to choose what they want to do with their body. It is important to respect your own and other people’s feelings and decisions about sex.

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Absolutely everybody has the right to safe, accessible, and positive sexual health information and services.

There are many reasons why someone might be worried about getting an STI test, especially if it is their first time or they’re not sure what to expect.

The healthcare provider will talk to you about your health and sexual activity to figure out which test is right for you.

An STI test involves a urine sample, a blood test, and/or a swab of the vagina, anus, or mouth. Each test looks for different STIs so you may have to do more than one. You can do some tests yourself or have a healthcare provider do it for you with your consent.

If a test is positive for an STI, it is important to see your healthcare provider again to explore treatment or management options. Your provider can also support you to contact sexual partners who may also need to be tested (this is known as contact tracing).

Testing is recommended every 3-6 months if you have multiple partners, or once a year if you have one partner. Some STIs can have no symptoms so the only way to know if you have an STI is by getting tested!

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Absolutely everybody can be sex positive. Sex positivity means having a positive attitude about sex and sexuality (it does not mean having lots of sex or encouraging other to do so).

Sex positivity means respecting the sexual rights of yourself and others. Everybody has the right to:

• Pleasurable and safe sexual experiences
• Equality and non-discrimination
• Autonomy and bodily integrity
• Be free from violence and coercion
• Privacy
• Comprehensive information and education
• Enter and leave relationships
• Decide whether to have children

Ways to be sex-positive include:

• Communicating openly about sexual health
• Understanding and respecting consent
• Holding space for others to explore their sexuality or gender identity
• Supporting young people through puberty
• Advocating for comprehensive sexuality education in your school or workplace
• Acting against discrimination and stigma