Taking care of your health is super important, and that includes your sexual health too. We talk a lot about the importance of caring for ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally—caring for our sexual health should be no different.
Whether you feel good about your sexual choices or you’re exploring what it would look like to tread a different path, we’re glad you’re here. Here are three steps you can take to be proactive about your health.
3 Steps Towards Sexual Health
-
Get tested.
If you’re sexually active, we recommend you talk to your doctor about STD screening. It may feel too personal to talk to your doctor about your sex life, but being open and honest is the only way your doctor can provide the care you need.
If you’re in the Triad, you can also come to The Pregnancy Network for an STD test. We offer free testing and treatment for gonorrhea and chlamydia and can refer you for further care if needed.
If you’re unsure what to expect at an STD testing appointment, check out the video below.
-
Set healthy boundaries.
When it comes to sexual relationships, every new partner brings a new risk of contracting an STD. But we know that the risk isn’t just physical. Each time we invite a new partner into our lives, we invite them to influence our emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
This can be a great thing! Committed, monogamous relationships, like marriage, with a partner you love and respect give you that 100% risk-free status, physically and otherwise. Of course, no relationship is perfect, but choosing your relationships wisely has positive outcomes for your holistic health. Consider what kind of relationship you want, and set those boundaries accordingly.
-
Care for your body holistically.
Having a new partner isn’t just about the physical stuff. It affects your mental and emotional well-being, too. Oxytocin, the love hormone released in your brain during sex, makes you feel super connected to your partner. It’s never too late to more carefully evaluate who and when you want to build those connections.
We’re Here for You
At The Pregnancy Network, we offer free STD testing and treatment in Greensboro and Winston-Salem. We’d love to come alongside you and equip you to make healthy, informed choices. Click the button below to make an appointment today.
Chloe Boyle
Chloe is the Communications Coordinator at The Pregnancy Network.