Gender and Sexual Health

Gender significantly impacts sexual health through social and biological factors, influencing everything from risk of STIs
to reproductive health outcomes. Gender inequality, especially towards women and girls, can lead to increased risks of
unintended pregnancies, STIs, and gender-based violence.
Gender significantly impacts sexual health by shaping norms, access to healthcare, and experiences of sexual well-
being. Gender roles, expectations, and power dynamics influence decisions about sexual activity, contraception, and healthcare
seeking. For example, gender norms can affect women's ability to negotiate safe sex practices or access reproductive health
services.
Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality. It's not just the
absence of disease or dysfunction, but also the ability to embrace and enjoy one's sexuality throughout life. This includes having
a positive and respectful approach to sexuality, experiencing pleasure and intimacy, and making informed decisions about sexual
health.
Here's a more detailed look:

Key Components of Sexual Health:

 Physical well-being: This encompasses the ability to engage in sexual activity, experience pleasure, and have healthy
reproductive function.
 Emotional well-being: This includes feeling comfortable and confident in one's sexuality, experiencing positive emotions
related to sex and intimacy, and having healthy relationships.
 Mental well-being: This involves having accurate knowledge about sexuality, making informed decisions about sexual
health, and managing any anxieties or concerns related to sex.
 Social well-being: This includes respecting the sexual rights of oneself and others, having healthy relationships with
others, and feeling a sense of belonging to one's sexual community.
Important Aspects of Sexual Health:

 Informed decision-making: Access to accurate information about sexual health, including contraception, sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), and safe sex practices.
 Prevention and care: Taking steps to prevent STIs, unintended pregnancies, and other potential negative outcomes
related to sexual health.
 Respect and consent: Understanding the importance of consent in sexual interactions and respecting the boundaries of
oneself and others.
 Communication: Open and honest communication with sexual partners and healthcare providers about sexual health
concerns and needs.
 Freedom from coercion and violence: Being able to experience sexuality without fear of coercion, discrimination, or
violence.
 Sexual diversity: Recognizing and respecting the diversity of sexual orientations, gender identities, and sexual
expressions.

In essence, sexual health is about taking care of your overall well-being in relation to sexuality. It’s about being informed, making
healthy choices, and having positive and respectful relationships.
 HIV and STI
HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can progress to AIDS if left untreated. STIs are infections spread
through sexual activity, and HIV is one of them. Having an STI can increase the risk of contracting or transmitting HIV. Key
points about HIV and STIs:
HIV and AIDS are related but distinct conditions. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body's
immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells. If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome), the most advanced stage of HIV infection. Essentially, HIV is the virus, and AIDS is the disease that can result from
untreated HIV infection.

Key points on HIV and STI:

 STIs are infections: These are caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites and spread through sexual contact.
 HIV is an STI: It can be transmitted through sexual activity, as well as through blood and breast milk.
 STIs can increase HIV risk: Some STIs, like those causing genital ulcers, can make it easier for HIV to enter the body or
make it more infectious.
 Prevention is key: Safe sex practices, like using condoms, can significantly reduce the risk of both STIs and HIV.
 Treatment is important: Many STIs are curable with medication, and prompt treatment can reduce the risk of
complications and further spread.
 HIV requires lifelong management: While there's no cure for HIV, effective medications can control the virus and prevent
it from progressing to AIDS.

HIV Infection

Without treatment, HIV infection gets progressively worse over time as the virus destroys key components of the immune
system. Prolonged exposure to untreated HIV can eventually cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

There is no cure for HIV, but there is good news. Treatment with HIV medicines (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) can slow or
prevent HIV from progressing into more serious forms. HIV medicines help people with HIV live long, healthy lives.

Research shows that people who start HIV treatment early can live as long as people who do not have the virus, largely due to
the advancement of HIV medicines.

How is HIV transmitted? - HIV can be transmitted through bodily fluids, including blood, semen (“cum”), pre-seminal fluid (“pre-
cum”), vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breastmilk. HIV can be transmitted through these fluids in the following ways.

Blood:
 Sharing needles or syringes for injecting drugs or tattooing
 Being exposed to HIV-positive blood through accidental needle sticks
 Sharing personal items that may have blood (such as razors or toothbrushes)
 Being exposed through placental exchange during pregnancy
 Eating pre-chewed foods (in case of open sores or bleeding gums)

Semen, Pre-Seminal Fluid, Vaginal Fluids, and Rectal Fluids:

 Having vaginal or anal sex
 Having oral sex (less likely, but can occur in rare cases)
 Being exposed to vaginal fluids during childbirth

Breast Milk:
 Breastfeeding
When an infant gets HIV during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, it is called perinatal transmission of HIV.

You cannot get HIV by shaking hands or hugging a person who has HIV. You also cannot get HIV from contact with objects, such
as dishes, toilet seats, or doorknobs, used by a person with HIV. HIV is not spread through the air or water or by mosquitoes,
ticks, or other insects.

What is the treatment for HIV?

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. People on ART take a combination of HIV
medicines (called an HIV treatment regimen) every day (pills) or by schedule (injections).

How can a person reduce the risk of getting HIV?

There are several ways to reduce the risk of getting HIV. Using condoms correctly with every sexual encounter can
reduce the risk of getting HIV, particularly with partners who have HIV with a detectable viral load or whose HIV status is
unknown.

Other behaviors, like avoiding sharing needles and choosing safer sex practices (such as limiting the number of sexual
partners), can also reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission.

People who do not have HIV should talk to their health care provider about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if they
believe they are at risk of getting HIV. PrEP involves taking a specific HIV medicine on a routine schedule—daily for pills or every
two months for injections—before an HIV exposure. For more information, read the HIVinfo fact sheet on Pre-Exposure
Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Early Symptoms (Acute HIV Infection):

 Fever: A common early sign, with varying causes related to HIV.

 Fatigue: Feeling tired or lacking energy can be an early symptom.
 Sore Throat: Pain or irritation in the throat.
 Muscle Aches and Joint Pain: Discomfort or pain in the muscles and joints.
 Swollen Lymph Nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes, particularly in the neck, groin, and armpits.
 Rash: Skin rashes can appear.
 Night Sweats: Excessive sweating, especially at night.
 Headache: Aches or pain in the head.
 Mouth Sores: Including canker sores, ulcers, and thrush.
 Diarrhea: Loose or watery stools.
 Weight Loss: Unexplained loss of weight.

Later Symptoms (AIDS):

o Opportunistic Infections: Infections that take advantage of a weakened immune system, such as tuberculosis,
pneumonia, and severe herpes.
o Persistent Diarrhea: Chronic or recurring diarrhea.
o Persistent Cough: A cough that doesn't go away.
o Skin Problems: Rashes, sores, or other skin issues.
o Weight Loss: Significant and unexplained weight loss.
o Extreme Fatigue: Severe and persistent tiredness.
o Neurological Problems: Changes in cognitive function or nerve problems.

Important Considerations:

o Symptoms of HIV can vary greatly from person to person.

o Some people may not experience any symptoms during the early stages.
o The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested.
 o Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing HIV and preventing the progression to AIDS.

STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection)

STI can refer to Sexually Transmitted Infection, also known as Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). It's an infection
passed from one person to another through sexual contact, including oral, anal, and vaginal sex. (Conditions that you can get
from any kind of sexual activity involving your mouth, anus, vagina or penis)

Cause of STI: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), previously known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are primarily
caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that are spread through sexual contact.

Here's a more detailed look at some common STIs:

Curable STIs:

 Chlamydia: Often asymptomatic, but can cause pelvic pain, discharge, and painful urination if symptoms develop. It's
easily treated with antibiotics.
 Gonorrhea: Similar to chlamydia, it can be asymptomatic or cause discharge and painful urination. It is also treatable
with antibiotics.
 Syphilis: A bacterial infection that can cause sores, rashes, and, if left untreated, can damage organs. It's curable
with antibiotics.
 Trichomoniasis: A parasitic infection that can cause itching, burning, and discharge, though many people have no
symptoms.

Viral STIs (Incurable but Treatable): means a condition, often a disease, cannot be cured (eliminated completely) but
can be managed with treatments to control its symptoms, slow its progression, and improve or extend the patient's life.

 Human papillomavirus (HPV): The most common STI. It can cause genital warts and some types are linked to
cervical and other cancers. Vaccines are available to prevent infection.
 Herpes simplex virus (HSV): Can cause painful sores or blisters. There is no cure, but antiviral medications can help
manage outbreaks.
 HIV: A virus that attacks the immune system. While there is no cure, effective medications can allow people with HIV
to live long and healthy lives.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of STI

1. Bacterial Infections:
 Examples: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis.
 Transmission: Typically spread through sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, oral) or skin-to-skin contact.
 Can be cured: Bacterial STIs are typically curable with antibiotics.
2. Viral Infections:

 Examples: HIV/AIDS, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Hepatitis B Virus.
 Transmission: Similar to bacterial STIs, also through sexual contact and some through skin-to-skin contact.
 Cannot be cured: While viral STIs can be managed (like HIV with antiretroviral therapy), they cannot be fully cured.
 Mother-to-child transmission: Some viral STIs can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.

3. Parasitic Infections:
 Examples: Trichomoniasis.
 Transmission: Through sexual contact.
 Can be cured: Parasitic STIs are generally curable with medication.
Other Factors:
 Non-sexual transmission: Some STIs can be transmitted through non-sexual means, such as contaminated needles,
blood transfusions, or from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.

 Drug use: Sharing needles for drug injection can transmit STIs like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

 Lack of communication: Stigma and shame surrounding STIs can hinder communication about sexual health, increasing
the risk of transmission.
 Close physical contact: Certain STIs, like pubic lice or scabies, can be spread through close physical contact, even
without sexual intercourse.
 Unregulated tattoos and piercings: Improper sterilization of equipment can also lead to STI transmission.

Treatment Options:
 Antibiotics: Effective for bacterial and parasitic STIs.
 Antivirals: Can manage viral STIs by reducing symptoms and transmission risk, but do not offer a cure.
 Other Medications: May be used to manage specific symptoms or complications of STIs.
Important Considerations:

 Follow Instructions: It's essential to take all prescribed medications exactly as directed and to complete the full course of
treatment, even if symptoms improve.
 Partner Notification: Inform current and previous sexual partners if you are diagnosed with an STI so they can also get
tested and treated.
 Avoid Sexual Activity: Refrain from sexual activity until treatment is completed and any sores or other symptoms have
healed to prevent further transmission.
 Prevention: Practicing safer sex with condoms and getting vaccinated against certain STIs (like HPV) can help reduce the
risk of infection.
 Regular Testing: If you are sexually active, regular STI testing is recommended to detect infections early, especially for
asymptomatic cases.
 Consult a Healthcare Professional: If you are pregnant and have an STI, consult a healthcare provider immediately, as
some treatments may not be safe for both mother and baby.