Peer Sexual Health Educators
  

Talk about sex... Talk about choices... Talk to a PSHE

Lifestyle Advisors provide Western students with up-to-date, confidential information and referral on birth control methods, sexually transmitted infections and other issues relating to sexuality.

• Main Messages
• About Our Services
• How to Make an Appointment

What are the main messages that the Peer Sexual Health Educators communicate to Western students about sexual health education: |top of page|

• It is your right to make choices about your sexual health.
  
  
• Contraception (e.g. the pill) won’t protect you against STI’s.
  
  
• Safer sex can be fun & enjoyable.
  
  
• Having an STI does not exclude you from developing a healthy loving relationship with yourself and others.
  
  
• One of the best prevention strategies is talking with your partner.
  
  
• If you have concerns or questions about STIs or pregnancy, talk to a PSHE at SHAIC and get checked at the Health Center.
  
  
• Abstinence means many things to different people. From the health perspective, it means not engaging in sexual behavior that may put you at risk for infections or pregnancy.
  
  
• It’s OK not to have sex. It’s OK to postpone sex.
  
  
• Not using birth control is a decision.
  
  
• There are a variety of effective contraceptive methods. It is important to find the one that fits your needs.
  
  
• Sex does not only mean intercourse: it can be touching, kissing, holding, etc.
  
  
• You can protect yourself from some STI’s if no semen, vaginal fluid or blood is exchanged.
  
  
• Condoms, latex gloves, and dental dams do not protect you from all STI’s.
  
  
• Condoms, latex gloves, dental dams and abstinence are all valid means of protecting yourself from pregnancy and some STIs.
  
  
• You can contract an STI without having intercourse.
  
  
• There is risk in oral sex.
  
  
• Using protection is not a trust issue.
  
  
• STIs are not inhibited by age, gender, socio-economic status, ethnicity, appearance, or sexual orientation.
  
  
• If you have an STI it is your responsibility to talk to your partner(s) before you engage in sexual activity.
  
  
• Protection needs to be used consistently and correctly from start to finish throughout your sexual relationship.
  
  

PSHE's (noun, pu-shea) provide: |top of page|

Free, confidential, and safe sessions to individuals or couples on safe sex, birth control options, emergency contraception, condoms, HIV/STIs, abstinence, relationships, and sexual health.

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