Nuts and bolts - safer sex, STIs and contraception

Justine and Jenny talk ‘nuts and bolts’ – safer sex, STIs and contraception. We know how important it is for young people to learn how to take charge of all aspects of their health -- including their sexual health if that becomes part of their lives -- as they're growing up. Having a conversation with your young person is not promoting anything other than the idea that you want them to be informed in a way that will help them be healthy, well and safe. Research tells us young people want to hear from their parents about these topics – even if you think they’re not listening, keep talking!

*** Disclaimer: we aren’t medical professionals or lawyers. This information (as well as what's presented in the episode) is for education purposes only. 
Please make sure you seek professional advice if necessary ***

Topics we cover:

• Confidentiality – eg ‘Can I see a doctor on my own? Will they tell my parents?’
• What is a ‘mature minor’?
• Medicare cards and bulk billing
• How parents can consider starting a conversation around the topic of medical rights with their teenager
• Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs)/contraception
• Suggest young people to do research online around contraception (from credible sources)
• Encourage young people to fact check, eg getting health info from TikTok etc. There are some good educators but also a lot of people with agendas and misinformation
• Parents should let their young people know if they hear something that seems wrong or contradicts what they know or were taught, it’s important to check in about it
• Condoms – most easily-accessed and used form of contraception. Also protect pretty well against STIs
• Dams
• Emergency contraception (EC), also known as Plan-B by many young Australians
• IUDs
• STI tests at least once a year if sexually active
• Stigma of STIs, disclosure of STI status to partner
• UTIs/thrush/cystitis – not STIs but can be common and are something to be managed
• Consent
• Importance of being inclusive, and parents acknowledging that not all humans want to be sexual; some practice celibacy for various reasons, some identify as asexual

Services we mention:

Better Health Channel 

Sexual Health Victoria

SHV Melbourne Clinic

Freecall 1800 013 952
Telephone 03 9660 4700

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
 Level 1, 94 Elizabeth Street
 Melbourne VIC 3000

 Jean Hailes

 TikTok educator – Sex Ed with DB (18+ material; it’s ‘out there’ so be prepared)

 Please visit our website sexeducationaustralia.com.au where you can listen to our other episodes and also browse our pages for more resources, information and support.   

Secondary resources are listed here: https://sexeducationaustralia.com.au/resources-2/secondary-resources/

Send us questions or comments to THATsexedpodcast@gmail.com
 
Thanks for listening!
 
Jenny + Justine