Let's talk Sexual Health with Dr. Rebecca Chase

Transcript

Transcript

Text on screen: Let’s Talk STIs With Dr. Rebecca Chase

Hi, I’m Dr. Chase, a family physician in Ottawa, with a focused practice on obstetrics and gynaecology. I’m here to answer some of the most common questions I get about sexually transmitted infections, otherwise known as STIs. Let’s get started.

Text on screen: How common are STIs, and should I really be worried about them?

Text on screen: STIs are more common than you might think.

STIs are more common than you might think. In Canada, rates are rising across many provinces and territories, with millions of people affected each year.

Text on screen: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Human papillomavirus (HPV), Herpes (HSV)

Some of the most common infections include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV, and herpes.

Text on screen: STI, Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections

STIs are part of a broader group called sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections,

Text on screen: STBBI, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C

often shortened to STBBIs, which also includes HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, spread through blood as well as sexual contact.

Text on screen: Be aware and take steps to prevent STIs

It's important to be aware and take steps to prevent STIs, as untreated infections can lead to serious health problems.

Text on screen: Preventable, manageable, and often curable

The good news? Most STIs are preventable, manageable, and often curable if you get tested and start treatment early.

Text on screen: Practicing safer sex is key to protecting yourself and your partners.

Practicing safer sex is key to protecting yourself and your partners.

Text on screen: Can I have an STI without symptoms?

Can I have an STI without symptoms? Absolutely.

Text on screen: Many STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, don’t cause noticeable symptoms.

Many STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, don’t cause noticeable symptoms. That’s why regular testing is so important—it's the only way to know for sure.

Text on screen: How often should I get tested?

It depends on your situation, but a good rule of thumb is:

Text on screen: Before starting a new sexual relationship.

• Before starting a new sexual relationship.

Text on screen: At least once a year if you’re sexually active.

• At least once a year if you’re sexually active.

Text on screen: More often if you have multiple partners

• More often if you have multiple partners

Text on screen: or engage in higher-risk activities: Inconsistent use of condoms or other barrier methods; Having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; Being involved in sex work or having a partner who is; Using or sharing needles for drugs, tattoos, or piercings.

•  or engage in higher-risk activities, such as:

• Inconsistent use of condoms or other barrier methods.
  • Having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Being involved in sex work or having a partner who is.
  • Using or sharing needles for drugs, tattoos, or piercings.

Text on screen: Get tested even if you feel fine

Remember, you can get tested even if you feel fine—many STIs don’t show symptoms, especially at the beginning.

Text on screen: Where can I go to get tested?

Where can I go to get tested?

Text on screen: free and confidential STI test

There are many places across Canada where you can get a free and confidential STI test,

Text on screen: doctor’s office, community health centres, university or college student health clinics, walk-in clinics: including the doctor’s office, community health centres, university or college student health clinics, or walk-in clinics. A nurse practitioner or doctor can offer STI testing or provide a requisition form for an STI test.

Text on screen: GetCheckedOnline.ca, GetAKit.ca

You may be able to access STI testing online through services like GetCheckedOnline or GetAKit, or through other virtual programs.

Text on screen: Testing is also available in: Specialized clinics; Local pharmacies.

In some areas, testing is also available at specialized clinics often without an appointment or at local pharmacies.

Text on screen: ActionCanadaSHR.org; WhereTo.Catie.ca

Visit Action Canada or CATIE’s website for more options near you.

Text on screen: Why is it important to find out as soon as possible whether you have an STI?

Why is it important to find out as soon as possible whether you have an STI?
Knowing you have an STI early can save you a lot of trouble.

Text on screen: If left untreated, STIs can: Cause infertility; Weaken the immune system; Increase the risk of passing the infection to others; Cause pelvic infections; Lead to complications during pregnancy.

If left untreated, STIs can:

• Cause infertility
• Weaken the immune system
• Increase the risk of passing the infection to others
• Cause pelvic infections
• Lead to complications during pregnancy, like miscarriage or health issues for infants.

The earlier you test, the easier it is to treat and manage.

Text on screen: How can I protect myself from contracting an STI or reduce my risk?

How can I protect myself from contracting an STI or reduce my risk?

Text on screen: You can protect yourself and your partners by: Getting tested regularly; Using condoms and dental dams; Getting vaccinated for HPV and Hepatitis B; Having open, honest conversations.

You can protect yourself and your partners by getting tested regularly, especially if you might be having sex without using protection all the time.
Also, using condoms or dental dams during oral, vaginal, and anal sex
Getting vaccinated for HPV and Hepatitis B.
Having open, honest conversations about sexual health with your partners.
You can communicate what protection feels right for you, as the decision is always yours to make.

Text on screen: You can protect yourself and your partners by: Talk to a health Professional

Talking to a health professional about HIV prevention options,

Text on screen: like PrEP, pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.

like PrEP, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PEP, post-exposure prophylaxis.
PrEP is taken before possible exposure to reduce the risk of getting HIV, while PEP is taken after a possible exposure to lower the chance of infection.
A health professional can help you decide what’s best for you.

Text on screen: Talking about sexual health can sometimes be awkward. Any tips?

Talking about sexual health can sometimes be awkward. Do you have any tips?

Text on screen: They’re so important.

Conversations about sexual health can feel a little awkward at first, but they’re so important.

Text on screen: Care, Respect, Keeping everyone healthy.

These discussions are about care, respect, and keeping everyone healthy.

Text on screen: Here’s how to make it easier:

Here’s how to make it easier:

Text on screen: Here’s how to make it easier: Start gently.

Start gently. Try asking, “How do you feel about using condoms or dental dams?” or “Would you want to get tested together?” Asking questions keeps it open and inviting.

Text on screen: Here’s how to make it easier: Start gently; Keep it positive.

Keep it positive. Say something like, “I want us all to feel good, healthy, and confident—what can we do to make that happen?” Framing it as a shared effort makes it less intimidating.

Text on screen: Here’s how to make it easier: Start gently; Keep it positive; Pick the right moment.

Pick the right moment. Choose a relaxed, private time when everyone feels comfortable. It could be before intimacy, during a casual hangout, or even over text if that feels easier.

Text on screen: Here’s how to make it easier: Start gently; Keep it positive; Pick the right moment; Be kind and non-judgmental.

Be kind and non-judgmental. Everyone has different experiences, comfort levels, and dynamics. If someone shares something personal, listen with care and without judgment.

Text on screen: Here’s how to make it easier: Start gently; Keep it positive; Pick the right moment; Be kind and non-judgmental; Focus on mutual respect

Focus on mutual respect. These conversations are about creating a safe space where everyone involved can share openly, set boundaries, and decide what works best for them.

Text on screen: Open and Honest communication

It’s okay if the conversation doesn’t feel perfect right away. What matters is showing care for everyone involved and taking steps toward open, honest communication.

Text on screen: Builds trust

That’s what builds trust and keeps everyone safe and healthy.

So just remember…

Text on screen: Sexual health is an important part of your overall health

Sexual health is an important part of your overall health—it’s just as essential as taking care of your physical or mental well-being. Unfortunately, it’s often overlooked or feels uncomfortable to talk about because of outdated taboos.

But here’s the truth: sexual health is completely normal, it impacts everyone, and the more you know, the more empowered you’ll be to make choices that are right for you and your relationships. It’s all about being informed, and feeling confident, and supported.

Text on screen: Canada.ca/STI

We touched on a few key things, but if you want to dive deeper, head to canada.ca/STI for more info, helpful resources, and testing locations near you.

Text on screen: Canada wordmark