Healthy Sex & Sexuality Information

Happy Endings Sex Week

ONCE UPON A TIME, BUT SERIOUSLY THOUGH;

At SUCCI we take healthy sexuality very seriously.  The campaigns might be silly and a little tongue in cheek, but we want everyone to have a better, smarter, safer time when they are being intimate with themselves or a partner or choosing not to do so.  Here are some tips and things we know are important which we have learned from our friends at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Campus Health Services, Relationship Counsellors as well as things which are enshrined in law in Canada.  We hope you learn, share and support others to find their "Happy Endings".

CONSENT IS EVERYTHING! 

Consent for any sexual activity must be freely given. Consent cannot be given by someone who is intoxicated, unconscious, or otherwise considered incapable of giving their consent, or underage. It MUST also be ongoing and enthusiastic.  Consent can also not be freely given if it follows fromthreats to personal safety, or threats to harm others CONSENT CAN BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME.   

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!  YOUR BODY IS YOUR OWN.

In Canada, you have the right to make decisions about your body. You have the right to: 

  • Agree whether or not to have sexual relations 
  • Decide when to have sex or not 
  • Choose your partner 
  • Choose whether or not to marry and choose your spouse
  • Respect your own body and your partner’s body, to protect  yourself and your partner from STIs and HIV 
  • Choose your own doctor 
  • Choose a birth control method that is right for you 
  • Receive sexual and reproductive health care services 
  • Receive information about sexual and reproductive health 
  • Decide whether or not to have children, when to have children and how many children to have   

USE PROTECTION!  WE CAN HELP

The safest protection is abstinence, but choosing to be sexually active is a valid choice.  We encourage you to protect yourself and your partner. Contraceptives including condoms, dental dams and insertive/female condoms are available in the SUCCI Office, Aviation Centre and McIntyre Building Office and the Health Centre free of charge.

IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION

If you choose to engage in sexual activity, know that not everyone is interested in participating in every sexual activity... and that’s okay! Communicating with your partner is key to making the experience fun and satisfying for both of you.  Sometimes it is difficult to have the words to express what you want or need... so here are some simple tips to make it easier to communicate what does and does not interest or excite you:  
GREEN LIGHT:  activities that you know you like doing.  
YELLOW LIGHT: activities that you are curious about engaging in.  
RED LIGHT:  activities that are a “no GO” & hold no interest for you.  
Try using these terms with your partner to discuss how to create a safe, CONSENSUAL and exciting experience for both of you!  Spending some time getting to know your body will help you know what works and what doesn't work for you.

USING SEX TOYS SAFELY

  • About 83 percent of sex toy injuries result from getting something stuck in or on the genitalia. To play safe, use a sex toy that has a flared base,  or a string that helps retrieve it.
  • Overusing a device like a vibrator can cause chronic numbness in your sensitive parts. Keep the buzz a good one by moving the device around - don’t focus on one spot too long - and changing up the vibration pattern.
  • About 18 percent of people who use vibrators don't clean them. Ever. That could be problematic if vibrators or other sex toys are shared between partners. Sex toys could also spread HIV and Hepatitis B and C. To be safe, clean all your toys with Antibacterial soap and warm water after each use, or use rubbing alcohol if it’s not waterproof. Check manufacturer instructions for any specifics.

  • The chemicals on and in some sex toys can leach out of the plastic, vinyl, or rubber and into the skin, potentially causing itching and  rashes. Silicone and hard plastic are good choices for non-toxic sex toys.   

    BASICALLY the next time you feel frisky, remember that you can be adventurous, naughty, and safe at the same time. Use toys as directed, clean them after each use (especially  if you're sharing them with a partner), and avoid using any toy for too long on one spot.  

PROTECT YOURSELF & YOUR PARTNERS 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that are transmitted during sex. They are very common, and are usually passed on during unprotected sex.  The Thunder bay District Health Unit Sexual Health Clinic Provides: STI testing | Anonymous HIV testing free of charge.  Information and support, no matter what the results.   To book an appointment or for more info about STI testing and treatment, please contact the TBDHU Sexual Health Clinic. You may also talk to your family doctor or other health-care professional about STIs and their treatment.  Call the Sexual Health Clinic: (807) 625-5900  or CLICK HERE  for more information  If you are sexually active getting tested regularly is just a good practice.  Once every six months is a good rule of thumb.

SEXUAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Visit Thunder Bay District Health Unit Sexual Health Clinic
Visit Confederation College Health Services
Visit Sexual Health Ontario
Visit Sex & U
Visit Confederation College Pride