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SEXUAL HEALTH
What you need to know about preventive services
Suggested citation
Partnership for Prevention. Take Charge of Your Sexual Health: What you need to know about preventive services.
Washington, DC: Partnership for Prevention; 2013.
2013
What’s in this Guide?
• Action steps for achieving good sexual health
This guide informs men and women of all ages, including teens and older adults, about sexual
health. It focuses on the preventive services (screenings, vaccines, and counseling) that can help
protect and improve your sexual health. The guide explains these recommended services and
helps you find and talk with a health care provider.
CONTENTS
SEXUAL HEALTH AND HOW TO ACHIEVE IT 2
* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and other national organizations recommend these services
People with hepatitis B may not feel sick, but can still pass
VACCINES on the virus to others. There is no treatment for hepatitis
B. Some infections clear up on their own, but others get
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine worse and can cause severe liver damage. Vaccination is the
This series of three shots is recommended for girls ages best protection against hepatitis B. Not sure if you’ve been
11-12 before they’ve been exposed to HPV, but may be vaccinated? If you were born in 1991 or later, you were most
given up to age 26. Some women over age 26 may also likely vaccinated as an infant. Before 1991, the vaccine was
benefit from being vaccinated. Talk to your provider to only given to high-risk adults.
see if you’re eligible.
Your provider can also tell you about emergency • Do you exchange sex for drugs or money?
contraception (EC), or the “morning after pill.” EC can • Do you have a partner who answers “yes” to any
prevent pregnancy if taken within a few days of having of these questions or whose health status you
unprotected sex. EC is available to anyone without a don’t know?
prescription at family planning clinics and pharmacies.
STI Prevention
Using a condom (male or female condom) every time you
have sex is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of getting
many STIs, including HIV. If you have sex without a condom,
have an STI or recently had one, or have a new partner and
are unsure of their health status, talk to your provider or a
health educator. They can tell you how to protect yourself
and your partner from STIs. Consult the resources at the end
of this guide for more information.
Those who are sexually active Those over age 26 only if they are at risk
Chlamydia screening
(screen annually) or pregnant (screen annually)
Those who are sexually active Those who are at risk, including those
Gonorrhea screening
or pregnant who are pregnant
Hepatitis A vaccine Those not vaccinated as infants Those who are at risk
Hepatitis B screening Those who are pregnant Those who are pregnant
Hepatitis C screening Not recommended Those born between 1945 and 1965
You’re at risk if you have had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex (sex without a condom), have multiple partners, have an STI (including HIV), shared
needles, exchanged sex for drugs or money, or have a partner who answers “yes” to any of these questions or whose health status you don’t know.
SCREENINGS
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Hepatitis B Screening
Men who have sex only with women: You might consider Men who have sex with men should be screened for hepatitis
being screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis if you B, especially those that have not been vaccinated. You are
have unprotected sex, have multiple partners, or have a new much more likely to get hepatitis B if you have not been
partner and do not know her health status, even if you do not vaccinated. People with hepatitis B may not feel sick, but
have any symptoms. can still pass on the virus to others. There is no treatment for
Men who have sex with men: If you are sexually active, you hepatitis B. Some infections clear up on their own, but others
should be screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis at become worse and can cause severe liver damage.
least once a year. You should be screened every 3-6 months
Hepatitis C Screening
if you have unprotected sex, have had an STI or have a
partner who has, have multiple partners, use illicit drugs, or All men born between 1945 and 1965 should be screened for
have a partner who engages in any of these behaviors. hepatitis C. Many “baby boomers” born between those years
have hepatitis C and don’t know that they do. They may have
HIV Testing engaged in risky behaviors or received a blood transfusion or
Men who have sex only with women: You should be organ transplant before national screening for the virus was
tested for HIV at least once as part of your routine health in place.
care, even if you think your partner only has sex with Men who have sex with men, especially those that use
you. You should be tested at least once a year if you have injection drugs or have HIV, also need to be screened for
unprotected sex, have had an STI or have a partner who has, hepatitis C.
have multiple partners, share needles, or have a partner who
engages in any of these behaviors. Hepatitis C is a virus that attacks the liver. It can cause severe
illness and permanent liver damage. People whose infections
Men who have sex with men: You should be tested for HIV are detected early can be treated. For more information, visit
at least once a year. You should be tested every 3-6 months www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/c/cfaq.htm.
if you have unprotected sex, have multiple partners, use illicit
drugs, share needles, or have a partner who engages in any of Intimate Partner Violence
these behaviors.
If your partner frequently threatens you, constantly accuses
you of doing something you didn’t, tries to control what
you do or where you go, refuses to have safe sex, or hits,
slaps or kicks you, talk to a health professional. Although
your provider will probably not ask you about abuse in your
relationships, if you let them know they can refer you to
programs that can help you.
VACCINES COUNSELING
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Contraception
This series of three shots is recommended for boys ages 11 or If you and your partner want to avoid pregnancy, learn
12, before they have been exposed to HPV. If not vaccinated about birth control methods both of you can use. The most
as a teen, all males through age 26 should get the HPV effective options for men are using condoms correctly and
vaccine. Gardasil (the HPV vaccine for boys and young men) consistently, abstinence (not having sex), and vasectomy
protects against the most common types of HPV that cause (permanent contraception). Your female partner has
genital warts and some cancers of the anus and throat. For many more options to choose from. By learning about her
more information, visit www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccine.html. preferred method, you can support her choice.
Chlamydia screening Those who are at risk Those who are at risk
Gonorrhea screening Those who are at risk Those who are at risk
Hepatitis A vaccine Those not vaccinated as infants Men who have sex with men
Those who have been or are Those who have been or are sexually active
HIV testing
sexually active (test at least once) (test at least once)
Syphilis screening Those who are at risk Those who are at risk
Primary care providers, such as internists, family Health educators work in clinics, community-based
doctors, general medicine doctors, nurse practitioners, programs, schools and colleges. They might offer sexual
physician assistants, and nurse-midwives, are trained in health counseling and educational materials to inform and
general medicine and care for the whole body. They work in equip people to make healthy decisions.
private doctors’ offices, clinics, community health centers,
family planning clinics, STI clinics and college health systems. Pharmacists, working in pharmacies, clinics and community
Even if they do not specialize in sexual health, they can be a health centers, are experts about prescription and over-the-
good starting point and refer you to a specialist, if needed. counter medications and can dispense birth control.
Specialists, such as obstetricians and gynecologists Mental health professionals, such as therapists,
(OB/GYNs), urologists, and women’s health nurse counselors, psychologists, social workers, sex therapists,
practitioners, focus on women’s and men’s reproductive and psychiatrists, can address the emotional and mental
health. They work in private doctors’ offices, community health issues related to sexual problems. You will find them
health centers and family planning clinics. at college campuses, private practices, clinics, community
health centers, and social service agencies.
“I just saw an article about high rates of sexually • How are they done?
transmitted infections. What can I do to protect
• When and how will I get my results?
myself?”
Sexually Transmitted Infections
“I know I’m here to get a check-up, but can we talk
about my sexual health for a few minutes? I have • Based on my history, should I be tested for STIs,
some questions.” including HIV? Which ones?
“I’m in a new relationship, and I’m not sure about • How often should I be tested for STIs?
the best ways to protect myself from infections and • Should my partner get tested, too?
getting pregnant.”
• Are there any vaccines I should get to protect myself
from STIs?
TRANSGENDER Contraceptives
Many of the preventive services in this guide will • What are the most effective forms of birth control?
help you stay healthy. Although finding a provider
• What are the best options for me?
who can address your unique healthcare needs
may be challenging, it is important to get tested • What are the side effects of different contraceptives?
regularly for HIV and other STIs, and vaccinated
• How and where can I get affordable contraceptives?
against hepatitis B and HPV (if you’re 26 or
younger). Use condoms and practice safer sex to
protect you and your partners. For more in-depth
guidance, see the resources listed at the end of
this guide.
• I’m being treated for another illness or disease, and I’m • Do you have sex without a condom? How often do you
wondering how that will affect my sex life? use condoms?
• I’m having trouble getting an erection/reaching climax. • Have you been tested for STIs, including HIV? Would
What’s going on? you like to be tested?
• I was told my prostate is enlarged. Will this affect my • Have you or your partner ever tested positive for an
sex life? STI? If so, which one(s), and where was the infection
found?
• Are you happy with your sex life? Do you have any
problems or difficulty with sexual intercourse?
Find a local Planned Parenthood clinic by using the American Sexual Health Association
“Find a Health Center” search box on the home page. http://www.ashasexualhealth.org
This site provides a range of sexual and reproductive Go here to learn about various STIs and screening tests,
health information for men and women (including teens), as well as tips for having safe sex. This site also contains the
plus resources for parents and educators. HPV Resource Center and the Herpes Resource Center.
American Association of Sexuality Resources are available for parents, teachers, and health care
Educators, Counselors, and Therapists providers.
http://www.aasect.org
The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource
To find a sexuality educator, counselor, or therapist in http://www.thebody.com
your area, go to the “Locate a Provider” section on the Learn everything you need to know about HIV and AIDS.
home page. You can also find health care providers,
clergy members, lawyers, marriage counselors, and other Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
professionals that specialize in sexuality. http://www.cdc.gov/std/
Visit the CDC’s web site for information about STIs and how
to prevent them.
Sex, Etc.
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE http://sexetc.org
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network Sexual health information for teens, by teens.
http://www.rainn.org
This site can help survivors of sexual violence get the
assistance they need. The National Sexual Assault Hotline
(1-800-656-HOPE) is open 24/7.
Learn how to help schools become safer and more respectful Learn about keeping the passion alive while also staying
for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or healthy in the Sex & Intimacy section of AARP’s web site.
gender expression.
Administration on Aging
GLBT National Help Center http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/HPW/
http://www.glnh.org HIV_AIDS/index.aspx
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of all ages can Educate yourself about HIV/AIDS among older adults and
call the national hotline (1-888-843-4564) to access peer find a testing location near you. This site also has links to
counseling, information, and local resources. A youth hotline other resources about HIV/AIDS among people over 50.
is also available (1-888-246-7743).
TransGenderCare
http://www.transgendercare.com
Find information about transition-related treatments and
therapies for transgender individuals.
YouthResource
http://www.youthresource.com
LGBTQ young people can go here for information and
support on sexual and reproductive health issues.