STI - Sexually Transmitted Infections (pamphlet)

Choose Not to have sex

You may not be ready for sex if:

• Your partner isn’t ready.
• You feel pressured.
• You’re not sure about it.
• Your can’t talk with your partner about it.
• You don’t have a way to protect yourself from STI’s and pregnancy.
• You need to get drunk or stoned to do it.
• Your partner wants to get drunk or stoned to do it.

If you choose to have sex, Use a condom

• Use lubricated latex or polyurethane condoms.
• Keep your condom in your purse or jacket pocket.
• Store your condoms in a dry place away from heat, or light.
• Check the expiry date on the package or condom box.
• Never use two condoms together.
• Never use a condom more than once.

How to use a condom

Open Carefully:
Rough tearing or long fingernails can damage the condom.

Place & Pinch:
Put the condom at the end of the penis and pinch out the air in the tip.

Roll It On:
Unroll the condom right down to the base of the penis.

Afterwards:
Whoever is wearing the condom should pull out right after they cum and their penis is still hard. Remember to hold the base of the condom when pulling out so that it doesn’t come off.  
Throw the used condom into the garbage: never use a condom twice.

If you choose to have sex, get tested

When to go?

• If you have sex with a new partner.  
• If you or your partner have been sexually active and have not been tested.
• If you know your current or past, partner has an STI.
• If the condom breaks or you have sex without one.
• If you or your partner have shared needles for drugs, tattooing or piercing.
• If you or your partner have any STI symptoms.
• If you have been forced to have sex or think you might have been.

When you are sexually active, you need to be tested once a year, even if you haven’t had sex for awhile.

What to Expect?

Male Exam

The doctor or nurse will ask you to undress from the waist down and will give you a drape to cover yourself. They will then do some or all of the following:

• examine the external parts of the genitals
• feel the testicles and penis             
• take a swab from the throat, anus, and/or urethra (just inside the opening at the tip of the penis)
• take a urine sample
• take a blood sample

Female Exam

The doctor or nurse will ask you to undress from the waist down and will give you a drape to cover yourself. They will then do some or all of the following:

• examine the external parts of the genitals
• put a speculum into the vagina to look inside of the vagina and cervix 
• take swabs from the throat, vagina, anus and/or cervix
• do a PAP test (they take samples from the cervix to check for cervical changes)
• do a bimanual exam (the doctor places one or two fingers inside the vagina and their other hand on the lower abdomen in order to feel the ovaries and uterus). 
• take a urine sample
• take a blood sample

What should you know?

If you feel more comfortable with someone else in the room during your examination, whether you are male or female, you can make this request to the doctor or nurse.  Most male doctors will now ask a female nurse to enter the room when they examine a female’s genitals.

If you are concerned about keeping things confidential, tell you doctor.  You can ask what they do with your medical information.  If you don’t trust the doctor, you can leave.

Doctors and nurses shouldn’t tell anyone about your visit unless they:

• have your permission
• are making a referral that you have agreed to
• feel you are not able to understand medical advice or the consequences of your decisions
• suspect abuse and they are required to report to child protection agency

Condoms won’t spoil the mood: an unintended pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection will.
You don’t have to have sex to show someone you love them.
You matter. Your choices matter. You decide what’s right for you.