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SEX 101: Practicing Safer Sex and STI Prevention

Welcome to the 2025–2026 academic year! 

As we embark on a new year, it’s important to be aware of your sexual health and well-being. Sexual health can range from hygiene practices to STI prevention. It’s important to emphasize that everyone’s journey is different, whether you are sexually active or not. It is normal to choose not to engage in any sexual activity, just as it is normal to engage in sexual activity at whatever level feels right for you. There is no right or wrong choice. However, it’s critical to know how to prioritize your sexual health, which contributes to your overall health.  

According to the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey taken by McMaster Students, many students don’t utilize any protective barriers during sexual activity, even though at least 50% of respondents reported being sexually active. Not to worry, the Student Wellness Centre (SWC) is here to help you prioritize your sexual health throughout the year. 

Keep reading to learn more about: 

  • Starting with consent 
  • STI prevention 
  • Preventing unplanned pregnancies 
  • & the sexual health resources and services available at the SWC. 

Starting with Consent 

Before engaging in any sexual activity, it is critical that mutual consent is clearly established to create a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. But what, exactly, is mutual consent, and why is it important? 

Consent is a clear and voluntary agreement to participate in an activity. It is fluid or dynamic and is an ongoing conversation- meaning that it can be given and withdrawn at any time during the activity. Mutual consent is achieved when all parties involved continuously understand, respect, and accept each other’s boundaries, and when everyone feels safe and heard. Discussing boundaries, such as clothing, body, activity, and timing, is a key part of healthy consent.  

In addition to verbal cues, it’s important to pay attention to non-verbal signs such as hesitation or discomfort. Affirmative statements and open communication help ensure that everyone involved is truly okay with the situation. 

Ways to ask for consent without feeling awkward: 

  • “Is this comfortable for you?” 
  • “Is this still okay with you?” 
  • “Would you like to …?” 
  • “Let me know if you would like to stop at any time.” 

What factors may affect a person’s ability to consent? 

  • Any level of intoxication impairs the ability to give informed consent, as it blurs the lines of how much a person is consciously able to provide voluntary consent. 
  • It is safer to wait until both parties are sober to ensure that everyone can fully consent to sexual activities. 
  • Guilt, pressure, or emotional coercion can make it difficult to say no. 
  • If someone is pressuring you or making you feel guilty, that person is not respecting your autonomy and may not be a safe person to engage in sexual activity with.  

STI Prevention

To keep sex fun and pleasurable, there are ways to practice safer sex and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unplanned pregnancy.  

STIs are infections transmitted through any type of sex or intimacy where bodies and bodily fluids come in contact.  

STIs can be grouped into: 

  • Bacterial infections (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis): typically, curable with antibiotics 
  • Viral infections (e.g., hepatitis, herpes, HIV, HPV): not curable but manageable with medication 
  • Parasitic infections (e.g., trichomoniasis, pubic lice, scabies): curable with prescribed medication 

Ways to decrease the risk of STIs: 

  •  Using barrier protection such as internal or external condoms, latex or nitrile gloves, dental dams, and condom-safe lubrication 
  • Regular STI testing 
  • Ensuring you follow your treatment plan if being treated for an STI.   
  • Using a new condom for each sexual encounter 
  • Ensuring that you clean and sterilize sex toys after use 
  • Changing condoms before switching between oral, vaginal or anal sex. 
  • Getting vaccinated for STIs such as HPV, Hep A or Hep B 
  • Using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if you are at high-risk of HIV infection. Chat with a doctor at the SWC to learn more.  

Preventing Unplanned Pregnancies 

Pregnancy could occur through penis-in-vagina sex or any sex where semen reaches the vagina. While some methods of contraception can reduce the likelihood of pregnancy, internal and external condoms are the only methods that can decrease the risk of unplanned pregnancy and STIs.  

Contraception options can be placed into 4 different categories: 

  • Non-Hormonal methods– e.g. internal or external condoms, diaphragms, and spermicides. 
  • Hormonal methods – e.g. oral contraception, hormonal Intrauterine Devices (IUDs), contraceptive patches and implants. 
  • Emergency Contraception – e.g. ‘morning-after pills’, copper IUD. 
  • Natural methods– e.g. the “pull out” method, and menstrual cycle tracking. 

It’s important to know that each prevention method has varying rates of success. Check out the Sex & U website for help to determine which type of contraception is right for you, or talk with your doctor. 

 

Sexual Health Services at McMaster: What’s Available and Where to Go 

Taking charge of your sexual health is a vital part of overall well-being. At McMaster, students have access to a variety of services and supports to help make informed and confident decisions. 

Student Wellness Centre (SWC)  

The SWC offers confidential, student-centred care. All services are covered by OHIP, UHIP, or student fees, and appointments can be made by phone. 

Location: PGCLL 210 (Peter George Centre for Living and Learning)
Website: wellness.mcmaster.ca
Phone: 905-525-9140 ext. 27700 

Sexual health-related medical services include: 

  • STI testing and treatment (chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, etc.) 
  • Birth control consultations and prescriptions 
  • IUD insertions and removals 
  • Pregnancy testing and options 
  • PrEP and PEP consultations 
  • Gender-affirming care and hormone therapy referrals 

Appointments are private, inclusive, and trauma-informed. 

Sexual health-related counselling services include: 

  • Support with navigating relationships, sexuality, or gender identity 
  • Embracing Gender Diversity Group – This in person drop-in group is for gender-diverse and gender-questioning students to connect with other like-minded students and explore gender identity.   
  • Love Better –In this group, participants will learn to identify the differences between healthy and unhealthy romantic relationships and strategies to make relationships last. Students will also learn about the importance of self-reflection to better understand one’s needs and wants in intimate relationships.   

Sexual health promotion-related programs include: 

  • HIV self-testing kits through the I’m Ready program 
  • Condoms and lube are available in the Wellness Lounge, PGCLL Level 2 
  • Educational resources  
  • How to use a condom, how to make a dental dam out of a condom, etc. 
  • SexTalkTuesday (@McMasterSWC) – An Instagram campaign aimed at educating McMaster students on sexual health by addressing common concerns, debunking myths, and normalizing open, judgment-free conversations to create a continuous safe space for dialogue and learning. 

 

Peer-Led Sexual Health Support at McMaster 

McMaster also offers peer-led education and support through campus groups that create a comfortable and approachable environment for sexual health discussions. 

Student Health Education Centre (SHEC) 

SHEC is a student-run service focused on promoting sexual health and harm reduction through education and conversation. 

You can get more information through their website: msumcmaster.ca/service/shec 

Pride Community Centre (PCC) 

The PCC is a peer-support space for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, providing an affirming environment for identity-based health needs, including sexual health. 

You can get more information through their website: Pride Community Centre – MSU 

Enjoy the journey 

Everyone’s sexual health journey is their own to discover.  

Keep the above in mind 

Stay safe 

And remember the importance of consent and contraception for the prevention of STIs and unplanned pregnancies.  

If you have questions, check out the links below or consider making an appointment at the SWC. 

 

Resources:  

 Sexual Health