STI Information Sessions

Peer Health Educators provide confidential information sessions prior to scheduled STI exams on STIs, including prevention, communication strategies, signs and symptoms, and treatment options.

To make an appointment, call (360) 650-2993.

Main messages:

• Respect your physical and emotional needs and limits, and those of your partner(s).
• One of the best prevention strategies is talking with your partner.
• Drunk sex jeopardizes safety and consent.
• High = High Risk.
• You have the right to decide what sexual behavior you want to engage in, free from pressure and coercion.
• Sex does not only mean intercourse: it can be touching, kissing, holding, etc.
• Four steps to great sex: Stop; Ask; Clarify; Respect.
• If you're concerned about a STI/HIV, get tested. There is help and support available.
• Contraception (the pill) won't protect you from STIs.
• Know how to prevent HIV and other STIs. You can protect yourself from some STIs IF-- no semen, vaginal fluid or blood is exchanged.
• Sexuality is a significant part of being human and has many expressions.
• 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.
• If you have unprotected sex you are at risk for STI’s no matter who you are, what your sexual orientation is, or what you look like. STI’s are not inhibited by age, gender, socio-economic status, ethnicity, appearance or sexual orientation.
• You don’t have to have intercourse to contract an STI.
• Condoms, gloves, dental dams and abstinence are all valid means of protecting yourself from pregnancy and some STIs.
• The more partners you have in a lifetime, the higher your risk.
• Safer sex can be fun & enjoyable.
• Protection needs to be used consistently and correctly from start to finish throughout your sexual relationship.