Module 11: Sexual Health

POST-MODULE QUIZ LINK: https://forms.gle/t9NSPnULYCbMy1Z37

This is a mandatory quiz to be completed upon reviewing this week’s materials.

It is only graded for completion, so take the quiz for your learning!

Sexual and reproductive health encompasses having healthy physical, mental, emotional satisfaction around one’s reproductive system. This requires that people have access to non-judgmental medical information about their health and bodies.  

Providing sexual and reproductive health services can look like:

• Giving out condoms and providing guidance on safe sex

• Informing a client about various birth control options

• Getting a client access to STI testing

• Talking to a client about their last pap smear, Ob/Gyn visit, etc.

• Administering a pregnancy test

• Inquiring whether a client feels safe at home or in their relationship

• Providing pads/tampon, and offering options for menstrual hygiene

It’s important to recognize that there are various factors involved in how someone makes a decision about their reproductive health such as economic stability, religious beliefs, political beliefs, relationship status, physical health, emotional health, environment, transportation, etc. These discussions are often sensitive and require compassion, empathic listening, and vulnerability. 

The most effective types of contraception are:

·         An IUD (intrauterine device) which is a t-shaped piece of plastic that goes into a woman’s uterus to prevent fertilization from occurring. 

·         An implant that is placed under the skin of a woman’s arm and releases hormones.  These hormones block a woman’s eggs from being released and also changes the cervix so that sperm have a harder time reaching the egg.

·         Other common, but less effective methods, include birth control pills, the shot (depo-provera), and the patch. For an easy-to-understand explanation of ALL methods, visit www.bedsider.com.

·         It is also important to remember that birth control does NOT protect against HIV or other STIs, so condoms should be used as well.

 Where can a person go to get birth control?

There are many different places a woman can go to get access to different types of birth control:

·         Neighborhood health center:  Many health care providers are able to help with placement of an implant or IUD.  They are also able to prescribe the patch or birth control pills if a woman is interested in those methods of birth control.

·         The Family Van:  We have condoms (both external and internal condoms) on the family van.  We are happy to provide patients with condoms at no cost.  The condoms are placed in a brown paper bag so you don’t need to worry about people seeing it. 

·         Planned Parenthood:  The Boston Planned Parenthood is located at 1055 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.  Their health center offers birth control education and services. 

Sexual and reproductive health is unequal. Inequalities exist among racial and socioeconomic strata in many aspects of sexual and reproductive health, including access to family planning, STI diagnosis and treatment, and other services.

To highlight one example, please watch this thought-provoking video on the US maternal mortality rate for African American women:

There are so many topics we could discuss within sexual and reproductive health. It is important to understand the various options available for our clients on subjects such as contraception, pregnancy, abortion, STI testing and treatment. If you feel less comfortable about any one of these topics, we encourage you to explore the following links for more information:

• Great infographics and video on birth control methods:  link for infographic // link for video

• Do you remember who should get STI screens? Review here!  link here

• Video regarding STIs geared toward medical trainees: link here

• PREP and PEP options for HIV: link here

• LGBTQ experiences accessing health care: link here

• Basic information on abortion services provided in Boston: link here

• Learn about the racist roots of reproductive rights:  link here