This blog article is part of a series of blog articles about the six Sexual Health Principles developed by Doug Braun-Harvey. You can learn more about the principles, Doug, and his work at his website.
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This principle is what most people think of when they hear the term ‘sexual health’. If we were taught anything about sexuality in school, this was most likely the only thing we learned about.
protected means protection
Not only does the term ‘sexual health’ go much deeper than just this one principle (as we’ve outlined in the other blog posts in this series), this principle goes much deeper than just the title suggests. In its most straightforward meaning, protection from STI, HIV, and unwanted pregnancy means just that–having safe sex options, such as condoms and PrEP, and contraceptive options, including IUDs/oral birth control pills, condoms, etc.
protected also means educated
Expanding on this most basic meaning, this sexual health principle is also about education, access to that education, and access to reproductive health treatment. Education must include scientifically and medically accurate information about sexually transmitted infections and barriers that prevent infection, as well as information on contraceptive options for all genders. Access to reproductive health treatment includes access to STI/HIV tests, reproductive cancer screenings, fertility treatments, family planning information, and so much more.
And protected also means empowered
Protection from STI, HIV, and unwanted pregnancy is incredibly important for sexual health due to the implications and possible outcomes that consequently happen without this principle (spread of infections, for example). Sexual health requires open, honest communication about these topics in our sexual relationships so that everyone is empowered to make informed decisions about the care they take of themselves within sexual encounters.
Feel free to read the rest of the articles in this blog series:
Sexual Health Principle 1: Consent
Sexual Health Principle 2: Non-Exploitation
Sexual Health Principle 3: Honesty
Sexual Health Principle 4: Shared Values
Sexual Health Principle 5: Protected from STI, HIV, and Unwanted Pregnancy (this article)
