Sex & Sexual Health
Sexuality and our sexual health is an important part of well-being and can influence our physical and emotional wellness as well as our relationships. Learning more about sex and sexual health can help you make decisions that feel right for you and help you have safer and more respectful and enjoyable experiences. Scroll through this page for information to support your sexual health at the University of Guelph.
How to Prevent STI Transmission
What are STIs?
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), are infections that are passed through sex (exchanging bodily fluids or skin-to-skin contact).
Most STIs don’t show any symptoms, however if left untreated, they can develop into more serious infections and can be unknowingly passed on to others.
Anyone who’s having sex can get an STI. Luckily, STI transmission is preventable. If you do have an STI, all of them are treatable and many are curable.
Preventing STI Transmission
STIs can be transmitted through all sexual activities including oral, vaginal/frontal, anal and digital (fingers) sex. STI transmission can be preventing in the following ways:
Using a Barrier
Barriers physically stop sperm from reaching an egg. They include both external and internal condoms, oral dams, diaphragms, cervical caps and contraceptive sponges. Condoms and oral dams are the only barriers that protect against STIs by preventing the exchange of fluids and preventing skin-to-skin touch.
Come by the Wellness Centre for free condoms, lube, and a demo on how to turn a condom into a dam. You can also purchase oral dams at the Sexual Health Store.
Get Vaccinated
Getting the HPV and Meningitis B vaccines helps protect you from these infections. These vaccines are available at Health Services. There may be a cost for certain vaccines.
Get Tested
Most STIs don’t show any symptoms. The only way to know your STI status is to get tested. If you’re having sex, it’s generally recommended that you get tested at least once a year.
Tests can be a urine test, swab, or blood test. The type of test you get will depend on what STI is a concern. If you test positive for an STI, your health care provider will be able to recommend treatment options and can also refer you to support resources and services. STI testing is available at Health Services by appointment or during drop-in hours, and at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
Use PrEP or PEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily pill for HIV-negative people that can prevent HIV from establishing itself in the body. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication that can be taken up to 3 days after potential HIV exposure.
PrEP is a great option for:
- People who are sexually active with an HIV-positive person
- People who don’t consistently use barrier methods like condoms and dental dams
- Anyone who uses or has a partner who uses intravenous substances and shares needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject
Come visit the Wellness Centre to pick up more information about PrEP and PEP or make an appointment with Health Services to talk to a doctor about whether PrEP is right for you.
Talk with Your Partner(s)
Communicating with your partners about plans for prevention, testing and possible infection helps build trust and respect while reducing the risk of STI transmission.
Birth Control
Birth control, or contraception, helps prevent pregnancy. If you’re having sex that has a chance of pregnancy associated with it birth control can be an important consideration. Learning about the different types of birth control can help you make an informed decision about what works best for you.
Hormonal birth control methods require a prescription and can be prescribed by a doctor at Health Services. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the implant also require insertion by a doctor, which can also be performed at Health Services.
Free condoms can be found at the Wellness Education and Promotion Centre.
Emergency Contraception
If you had sex that could result in pregnancy and did so without birth control or contraception, or if your contraception failed during sex (e.g., the condom broke, or the pill wasn’t taken consistently), emergency contraception may be an option. Since emergency contraception drastically changes your hormone levels, it is only meant to be used occasionally, and is not meant to be used as regular birth control.
Emergency contraception is available as a pill, and you can take it within 5 days of having sex that could result in pregnancy. The sooner you take it after sex, the more effective it is. Taking it within the first 12 to 24 hours after sex is the most effective. It can be picked up from any pharmacy and does not require a prescription.
Emergency contraception is also available at Health Services. You can make an appointment with a nurse to get it on site.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Testing
You can use a pregnancy test if you’re concerned you might be pregnant. Pregnancy testing is available at Student Health Services. You can make an appointment with a nurse to have a test administered.
You can also buy pregnancy tests at a pharmacy or from the Sexual Health Store in the Wellness Education and Promotion Centre.
Pregnancy Options
Making sexual health decisions can be very personal and there is no “one size fits all” answer. It is important you have all the information and support you need to make the most well-informed decisions for you.
There are three pregnancy options:
- Abortion: A safe and legal medical procedure that is used to end a pregnancy
- Adoption: A process where a child becomes part of a new family
- Parenting: The act of raising and caring for your child
Pregnancy Support
Health Services at the University of Guelph
All students can access sexual health support and resources through Health Services on campus:
- Book an appointment to discuss pregnancy options, resources and support
- Pregnancy testing
- Emergency contraceptives (Plan B)
- Birth control
To book an appointment with Health Services, call 519-824-4120 x52131
SHORE Centre (Sexual Health, Options, Resources and Education Centre)
SHORE Centre is a pro-choice organization that supports your choices in all situations. SHORE provides safe, confidential, non-directed and non-judgmental information and support for anyone facing an unplanned pregnancy.
- Abortion resources
- Adoption resources
- Parenting resources
To book an appointment with SHORE Centre, call 519-743-9360 or visit shorecentre.ca
Visit the Sexual Health Store
The U of G Sexual Health Store is an initiative through Student Wellness that is an inclusive, sex-positive, safer and welcoming space for all members of the U of G community. The Store exists to provide sexual health information for all U of G students and increase access to affordable sexual health and pleasure products.
The Store sells sexual health products like lubricants, dental dams, reusable menstrual products and various sex toys and cleaners. We also have condoms, lube and menstrual pads available for free.
Come visit us at the Wellness Education and Promotion Centre in the first floor of the JT Powell Building or place an order online. Peer Wellness Educators will be available to answer questions and to share resources.