Sexual Health Guide
Sexual Health Guide
Clear, practical information to help SULTRAFIED Members make informed choices about testing, protection, sexual health, communication and accessing professional healthcare.
Respect your health and the health of others
Sexual health is not simply about avoiding infection. It includes informed decision-making, communication, consent, testing, access to healthcare, contraception where relevant and being able to discuss boundaries and sexual-health preferences without pressure or judgement.
Having more than one sexual partner, meeting new partners or participating in consensual non-monogamy can change your exposure to sexually transmitted infections. That does not mean somebody is unhealthy; it means testing, communication and appropriate prevention become particularly useful.
SULTRAFIED encourages Members to make informed decisions based on their own circumstances and to seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional where needed.
STIs do not always cause symptoms
Sexually transmitted infections can be passed during sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some infections can also be transmitted through close skin-to-skin sexual contact or exposure to infected blood.
A person can have an STI without experiencing obvious symptoms. Appearance, hygiene, relationship status or somebody saying that they “feel fine” cannot tell you whether they have an infection.
Testing is therefore an important part of sexual healthcare, particularly when you have new or multiple sexual partners, have sex without a barrier, experience symptoms or learn that a partner has been diagnosed with an STI.
Chlamydia
A common bacterial STI that frequently causes no symptoms. It can infect genital, rectal and throat sites depending on sexual exposure.
Testing and antibiotic treatment are available.Gonorrhoea
A bacterial STI that can affect the genitals, rectum or throat. Some people experience no symptoms.
Appropriate testing may involve more than one body site.Syphilis
An infection which progresses through stages and can cause serious health complications when untreated.
It can be detected using appropriate testing and is treatable.HIV
HIV affects the immune system. Modern treatment can control HIV very effectively, and effective treatment can prevent sexual transmission.
Testing, PrEP, PEP and effective treatment form part of modern HIV prevention.Genital Herpes
Herpes can be transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. Some people have mild symptoms or no recognised symptoms.
Barriers reduce risk but may not cover every area capable of transmitting infection.HPV
Human papillomavirus is widespread and includes many different types. Some can cause genital warts and others are associated with certain cancers.
Vaccination may provide protection against important HPV types.Testing should reflect how you actually have sex
The tests you need and how often you should test depend on factors such as your sexual practices, number of partners, new partners, previous infections, symptoms, condom or barrier use, HIV prevention medication and local clinical guidance.
STI testing may use blood, urine or swabs. Depending on the sexual activity involved, a healthcare professional may recommend genital, throat or rectal testing rather than assuming one test covers every possible site of infection.
Do not wait for symptoms before considering testing. Many infections can be present without obvious signs.
Consider whether testing is appropriate when starting sexual contact with somebody new.
More frequent screening may be appropriate for people with multiple or changing sexual partners.
Speak to a sexual-health professional about testing after potential exposure.
Seek professional advice if you develop symptoms or a partner tells you they have an STI.
Reduce risk with appropriate barrier protection
External and internal condoms can reduce the risk of many sexually transmitted infections and can also help prevent pregnancy where relevant.
Dental dams or other appropriate barriers can reduce exposure during oral contact with the vulva or anus.
Barriers do not remove every STI risk. Some infections, including herpes and HPV, can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact involving areas not covered by the barrier.
Use a new condom for each relevant sexual act and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Condoms and dental dams can reduce exposure during oral sex.
Follow appropriate cleaning guidance and consider changing condoms between people or body sites.
Appropriate lubricant can reduce friction and the likelihood of condom damage.
PrEP, PEP, testing and effective treatment
HIV prevention now includes several tools in addition to condoms. A healthcare professional can advise whether PrEP or another prevention option is appropriate for you.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
PrEP is medication taken by HIV-negative people to reduce the chance of acquiring HIV. Eligibility and prescribing arrangements vary by country.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
PEP is emergency HIV-prevention medication used after a possible exposure. It is time-sensitive, so seek professional medical advice promptly.
HIV Testing
Knowing your HIV status enables you to access appropriate prevention, treatment and medical advice.
Undetectable = Untransmittable
People living with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load through effective treatment do not sexually transmit HIV.
Ask whether sexual-health vaccinations are relevant to you
Vaccination can prevent or reduce the risk of some infections that may be transmitted during sexual contact.
Depending on your age, medical history, sexual practices and country, a healthcare professional may discuss vaccination against infections such as HPV and hepatitis B. Hepatitis A or mpox vaccination may also be appropriate for some people according to local clinical guidance.
Eligibility and vaccination programmes vary between countries, so use the official healthcare resources for your location or ask a sexual-health clinic.
Sexual-health conversations should be normal
Talking about testing, condoms, PrEP, contraception or sexual-health boundaries does not imply that somebody has an infection. It is simply part of informed sexual decision-making.
Consider pregnancy prevention where relevant
Where vaginal sex could result in pregnancy, contraception should form part of the conversation before sexual activity.
Different contraceptive methods have different benefits and limitations. Most methods of contraception do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so barrier protection may still be appropriate.
Emergency contraception may be available after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Availability and time limits vary, so seek professional advice as soon as possible.
Find trusted sexual-health information in your country
SULTRAFIED is designed as an international adult community. Healthcare systems, testing services, prescriptions and vaccination programmes vary by country, so Members should use recognised local healthcare providers and official public-health information.
NHS Sexual Health
NHS sexual-health services provide STI testing and treatment, HIV testing, contraception, PrEP and PEP services and sexual-health advice.
HSE Sexual Health
Ireland’s HSE provides sexual-health information, free public STI services and access to home STI testing for eligible residents.
CDC Sexual Health
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides STI testing guidance, prevention information and a national service for finding testing locations.
Public Health Agency of Canada
Canada’s public-health resources provide sexual-health information, STI prevention guidance and advice about when and where to get tested.
Healthdirect Australia
Government-funded Healthdirect provides information about safer sex, STI screening, prevention and access to Australian health services.
Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand provides information about safer sex, STIs, testing, contraception, vaccination and specialist sexual-health clinics.
LIEBESLEBEN
Germany’s Federal Institute of Public Health provides official information about sexual health, safer sex, HIV, STIs, testing and counselling through LIEBESLEBEN.
Sense
Sense provides Dutch sexual-health information and advice covering STIs, condoms, contraception, relationships, sexual wellbeing and local support.
Assurance Maladie
France’s Assurance Maladie provides information about sexually transmitted infections, symptoms, prevention, testing and treatment.
The inclusion of a country or healthcare resource above does not mean that every form of adult Content, public sexual activity, adult-club operation, commercial sexual activity or other conduct is lawful in that jurisdiction. Members are responsible for complying with the law applicable where they live and where any real-world activity takes place.
When to seek sexual-health advice
Contact a sexual-health clinic, doctor or other qualified healthcare professional if you have symptoms, believe you may have been exposed to an infection, receive a positive test result or need advice about testing, HIV prevention, vaccination or contraception.
Seek advice even if you do not have symptoms where there has been a meaningful potential exposure.
If you receive a positive STI result, follow the treatment and partner-notification advice provided by your healthcare professional.
This guide provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis, testing or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.
SULTRAFIED cannot provide medical diagnosis or treatment.
Sexual health conversations should be normal, respectful and free from judgement.