Healthy Sexy & Wise - July 2004
Volume 2, Issue 3, 2004
Editors Note
Welcome to the July edition of Healthy Sexy & Wise.
If you would like future issues of Healthy Sexy & Wise emailed to you Contact Us
In this issue:
- New sexual health clinic for men
- Free phone counselling available for country women
- Look after your sexual health
- Talking to kids about body parts
- Awareness still needed about emergency contraception availability
- Chlamydia levels on the rise in WA
- New pages on the FPWA site
- Book reviews
Please feel free to circulate and distribute this newsletter to anyone you know that may benefit from the information. They can go on the mailing list by emailing me their details.
If you have any suggestions, ideas or comments about the newsletter, you can email me – be sure to let me know if there are any topics you would like to see covered in the future. The next edition of Healthy Sexy & Wise will be out in October.
Rebecca Smith
Editor
New sexual health clinic for men
A sexual health clinic for men has commenced at FPWA in Northbridge.
‘Men’s Clinic’ covers all aspects of sexual health and is staffed by a male clinician.
Running every second Thursday, the Clinic provides testing and treatment for sexually transmissible infections (STIs), as well as safe sex education and contraceptive advice.
While men are still able to make an appointment Monday to Saturday with a female clinician, the ‘Men’s Clinic’ is for those who feel more comfortable with a male clinician.
The thought of going to a hospital for STI testing can be quite daunting for some men and FPWA has found they will go to a clinic more readily.
The introduction of ‘Men’s Clinic’ will hopefully mean that more men come along and get tested and treated if necessary – this is especially important as STI levels in the community are on the rise.
All clients can be assured that their sexual health concerns will be addressed confidentially and in a caring and sensitive manner.
Ring FPWA on 9227 6177 to make an appointment.
Free phone counselling available for country women
Women living in rural and remote areas of WA can access free counselling over the telephone, thanks to FPWA’s Roe St Centre for human relationships.
The Centre, which specialises in sexual health and relationship issues, offers phone counselling to women dealing with issues around unplanned pregnancy and abortion.
Unplanned pregnancy raises many concerns and questions for women of all ages and situations. As it is something which often affects not only women themselves, the Roe St Cente also offers confidential counselling for partners and other family members.
While there is a lack of specialist services in rural and remote areas which are able to guarantee a private and confidential service, people can be assured that the Roe St Centre is entirely confidential and that their privacy will be respected at all times.
The program, which is funded by the Health Department of WA, is useful for women who are unsure about their pregnancy and want to talk about the pros and cons.
Roe St Centre is a non-judgemental service that aims to help people make the best decision for themselves within the context of their circumstances.
The advantage of the service is that it is anonymous, private and gives people access to further counselling if needed.
Experienced male and female counsellors are available and people can access up to four free sessions, which can be used to discuss pre and post termination issues.
Phone Roe St Centre on 9228 3693 for more information or to make an appointment.
Look after your sexual health
Many people focus on diet and exercise when it comes to looking after themselves, and overlook an important part of their overall well being – their sexual health.
A lot of people take their sexual health for granted, focusing on things like their sexual performance instead. As a person’s sexual health is a major contributor to their overall personal satisfaction and well being, it is something that should be cared for and respected.
Looking after your sexual health means using safe and effective contraception, protecting yourself against sexually transmissible infections (STIs), and keeping up to date with sexual health screening such as Pap smears and sexual health checks.
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Even if you are planning a long-term relationship, you should always use condoms – you might not know your partner’s sexual history and unless you’ve both been tested, you can’t tell if either of you has an STI. It is also important to talk about your sexual health with your partner, particularly if you notice any unusual symptoms.
STIs such as chlamydia and herpes are becoming more and more common in the community – some STIs are easily treatable and can be cleared up with antibiotics, but if left untreated they can cause serious health problems.
Learning to negotiate safe sex is also important when it comes to looking after your sexual health. Don’t have sex with a partner who refuses to wear a condom – having unprotected sex even once still puts you at risk of contracting an STI. If you’ve had unprotected sex in the past get tested by a doctor or at FPWA.
When it comes to a person’s sexual health it is also important that they enjoy their sexual experiences - many people ‘put up with’ things like painful sex or periods when help is available.
If you are experiencing recurring painful sex you may have an STI. Don’t ignore the pain and hope it will go away – see a doctor and get it checked out immediately.
Sex is all about enjoying yourself, and safe sex doesn’t mean it has to be less pleasurable – you just need to be creative when it comes to introducing condoms, dams and lubricant into the bedroom. Safe sex is about taking responsibility for your own health – respect yourself and your sexual partner and always use protection.
Talking to kids about body parts
by Jane Irvine, Counselling Consultant
Children often want to know more about their body, including how it works and what makes it different to that of the opposite sex.
Children under four rarely ask questions about their anatomy, taking their bodies for granted and not having much interest in any differences. Once at school however, most children look for differences between boys and girls and between men and women, and want an explanation as to why these differences happen.
It is normal for children around the age of six to experiment and play ‘doctors and nurses’ or ‘mummies and daddies’. Children of this age can be told about the function of the penis or the vagina (to help make babies and get rid of urine) and about how breasts are for making milk for babies. Questions about the penis naturally lead to questions about the vagina, and vice versa.
Older children need more detail – boys are often curious about erections and wet dreams, while girls will ask questions about their labia and clitoris and their relative functions. These are normal questions to ask, so don’t discourage them.
Tips for talking to your child about their penis/vagina:
Don’t reprimand children for asking questions about the opposite sex. Encourage questions and answer them honestly and positively.
Let them know that it is OK and quite natural to touch themselves or explore their own bodies in private.
Include both sons and daughters in conversations about body parts so that each knows about the other and understands why boys and girls do different things.
Use the correct name for body parts – children use different language to adults, and the universal terms will prevent any misunderstanding.
The FPWA library has a variety of resources available around talking to kids about body parts and other issues – phone 9227 6177 for more information.
In the next edition of Healthy, Sexy & Wise, Counselling Consultant Jane Irvine will look at ‘Questions about periods – a guide for parents'.
Awareness still needed about emergency contraception availability
by Dr Angela Cooney, Medical Consultant
Many women don’t realise they can get emergency contraception (EC) over the counter at pharmacies, despite it being available without a prescription for over six months.
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The decision to allow EC to be sold over the counter means that more women have access to it, but as many women don’t realise it is available at pharmacies they are still making an appointment with their doctor to get a prescription.
EC is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex – there is some effectiveness for up to five days after intercourse, but the longer a woman waits before taking it, the less effective it becomes at preventing pregnancy.
Seeking a prescription from a doctor means wasting precious time, as it often takes a day or two to get an appointment – this could be avoided if women knew they could simply go straight to their local pharmacy. It is also usually a much cheaper option as many doctors no longer bulk-bill.
Some pharmacists don’t carry EC, but women shouldn’t give up if they find it difficult to locate a pharmacist who stocks it – they should try somewhere else or contact FPWA.
Making EC more readily available is important in reducing the incidence of abortion and unplanned pregnancies. EC provides women with a chance to prevent a possible unwanted pregnancy in a way that is convenient and non-intrusive. As it can now be dispensed very quickly, the chances of it being effective are therefore increased. The fact that EC can be bought over the counter is something which every woman should be aware of.
Chlamydia levels on the rise in WA
Chlamydia levels in WA are on the rise, with many people unaware they are infected.
The problem with chlamydia is that many people with the infection don’t show any symptoms, so they accidentally pass it on to their partners through unprotected sex.
So far this year, health authorities in WA have been notified of 1657 cases of chlamydia, around 140 more cases than this time last year.* Last year 3624 notifications were recorded in WA, up from 2960 the year before.
The number of people with chlamydia is probably even higher, as many cases are undiagnosed. FPWA often finds out clients have chlamydia when they come in for something else, such as a pregnancy test.
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmissible infections (STIs) among men and women aged 15-25. While it is also more common among women than men, if left untreated chlamydia can cause serious health problems for both sexes, including infertility.
Often young women having unprotected sex worry most about an unwanted pregnancy, when in actual fact they may unknowingly be risking their chances of ever becoming pregnant. People with chlamydia also have a higher chance of contracting other STIs, like gonorrhoea.
Practicing safe sex reduces the risk of contracting chlamydia or another STI - until you’re both tested, you don’t really know what your partner does or doesn’t have.
Chlamydia can be detected by a simple test involving a urine sample and/or a swab from the cervix. It is easily treatable and can usually be cleared up with a dose of antibiotics. Both partners should be tested and treated to avoid infecting one another again.
The high number of chlamydia notifications are cause for concern, and the increased figures reflect a lack of awareness of STIs in the high risk population that FPWA sees – young, sexually active people who change partners more often than older people.
If left untreated chlamydia can have serious consequences, and as such, needs to be taken seriously and not simply treated as ‘a bit of an itch’. If you’ve had unprotected sex in the past get tested by a doctor or at FPWA.
* Communicable Diseases Network Australia - National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (accessed 22/6/04)
New pages on the FPWA site
The FPWA website has recently had several new pages added to it. Click on the links below to view information about:
Book Reviews
by Julie Kermode, Library Assistant
The ultimate guide to sex and disability: for all of us who live with disabilities, chronic pain and illness / Kaufman, M., Silverberg, C. & Odette, F.– San Fransisco, Calif. : Cleis, 2003.
This book is a complete sex guide for people living with disabilities, chronic pain, and illness. Aimed at men and women of all ages, sexual identities and disabilities, The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability covers issues such as: building a positive sexual self-image; sexual positions; dealing with pain, fatigue and spasms during sex; making sex safe; where to find partners; talking about sex with your health care provider(s); plus an extensive list of books, resources, organisations and websites which may be able to help you with further information.
The alternative pregnancy handbook: complementary remedies for a healthy & stress-free pregnancy / Jamil, Tanvir & Evennett, Karen – London : Piatkus, 2000.
The Alternative Pregnancy Handbook is a must for every mum-to-be who wants a comfortable, stress-free pregnancy. It takes you step-by-step from conception to the early months of motherhood, and gives clear, safe and effective advice on everything from cravings to backache and weight gain to fatigue. Packed full of effective natural treatments which are easy and safe to use, this book will help you have a happy, relaxed pregnancy – and a healthy, happy baby.
Is it me or my hormones? Women in transition / Smith, Margaret & Michalka, Patricia – Leederville, WA : Caring for Women Publications, 2003.
A question often asked by women going through their middle years (age 35 to 55) who are experiencing physical and emotional changes is "Is it me or my hormones?". This question is addressed in the book by the co-authors, a gynaecologist and a psychotherapist. They draw on women’s experiences, including their own, and explain how to sort out the confusion caused by the interaction of hormones and life experiences, and offer practical help.
Available from the FPWA Bookshop at $29.95
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Page last updated Mon, 12 Jun 2006 14:32