Sex and sexual health

For many people, sexuality is a very important part of wellbeing throughout the lifespan. Sexuality and our sexual health can influence our physical and emotional wellbeing as well as our relationships. Learning more about sex and sexual health can help someone have safer experiences that are more respectful and enjoyable. This page contains information to help support your sexual health while you are at UBC.

How to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

What are STIs?

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a group of infections that are most commonly passed through sex (fluid exchange or skin to skin touch). While people usually do not show any signs or symptoms, STIs can develop into more serious infections that can be harmful to your body and can also be passed to others unknowingly. Anyone who is sexually active could catch an STI. The good news is that STI transmission is preventable. If someone does catch an STI, all of them are treatable and many are curable. 

Sexually transmitted infections can be:

  • Bacterial (e.g., Chlamydia, Gonorrhea)
  • Viral (e.g., HPV, HIV, HSV)
  • Parasitic (e.g., pubic lice)
  • Fungal (e.g., yeast infection).

If you are or are planning to be sexually active, consider discussing STI prevention methods with your partner beforehand. Learn more about STIs at sexandu.ca.

Preventing STIs and transmission

STIs can be transmitted through digital (fingers), oral (mouth on genitals), vaginal, and anal sex. There are 5 ways to prevent STI transmission:

  1. Use a barrier
    Consider using a barrier method for vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Barrier methods are designed to keep sperm from reaching an egg, and they include condoms (internal and external), oral dams, diaphragms, cervical caps, and the contraceptive sponge. However, only condoms and oral dams protect against STIs. External and internal condoms provide a barrier to prevent STIs from spreading. Oral dams can provide STI protection for oral sex and anal stimulation.

    Free internal and external condoms can be found on campus at the Wellness Centre, SVPRO, and AMS SASC. You can also get condoms and oral dams at cost at the Wellness Centre. Peer Health Educators at the Sexual Health Shop can provide more information about safer sex practices and answer questions about sexual health. You can also purchase condoms at any drug store or pharmacy.
  2. Get vaccinated
    Getting the HPV and Hepatitis A & B vaccines helps protect someone from these infections. Check your vaccination history, and get up to date if possible. 

    At UBC, Student Health Service offers vaccines. There may be a cost for certain vaccines.
  3. Get tested
    Most STIs have no symptoms. Getting an STI test is the only way to know if you or a sexual partner have certain STIs. Talk to your doctor about what an STI test includes. If you test positive for an STI, your doctor will be able to recommend treatment options and can also refer you to support resources and services.

    At UBC, Student Health Service offers STI testing. For a list of STI testing locations in BC, visit the Smart Sex Resource.
  4. Use PrEP or PEP
    PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and can be used as an HIV prevention strategy for those who are HIV-negative. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication that can be started up to 3 days after HIV exposure to prevent HIV infection, but is preferably started as soon as possible after potential HIV exposure. 
  5. Talk with your partner(s)
    Discussing a plan for prevention, testing history, and possible infection reduces risk of transmission, and also helps build trust and respect between partners.

How to get birth control

Birth control, also known as contraception, helps prevent pregnancy. Many methods are very effective at preventing pregnancy. However, no method is 100% guaranteed.

  1. Learn about birth control
    Understanding the different types of birth control can help you make an informed decision.
  2. Get your preferred contraception
    Discuss the options with your sexual partner(s) before getting the contraception.
    • Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the Implant need a prescription from and insertion by a doctor. They both have free generic options that are covered by MSP for BC residents. For non-BC residents, both may have additional costs. Learn more about free contraception in BC.

      At UBC, Student Health Service can prescribe IUDs and the Implant.
    • Other hormonal methods (e.g., pill, patch, ring) require a prescription from a health care practitioner, like a pharmacist or doctor, and can be acquired at a pharmacy.

      At UBC, book an appointment with Student Health Service for a prescription or to get more information. Walk-in clinics can also provide prescriptions. Find a health clinic near you.
    • You can buy barrier, non-hormonal methods (e.g., internal and external condoms) at any pharmacy, sex toy store, or drugstore.

      Free internal and external condoms can be found on campus at the Wellness Centre, SVPRO or AMS SASC.
  3. Maximize the effectiveness of your birth control
    • Follow the instructions for how to use the method.
    • Ask your doctor about it or call 811 to speak with a nurse 24/7.
    • Learn more about the birth control method.

How to get emergency contraception

If you had sex that could result in pregnancy and did so without birth control or contraception, or if your contraception failed during sex (e.g., the condom broke, or the pill wasn’t taken consistently), emergency contraception (EC) may be an option. Since emergency contraception drastically changes your hormone levels, it is only meant to be used occasionally, and is not meant to be used as regular birth control.

Emergency contraception is available as a pill, and you can take it within 5 days of vaginal sex. The sooner you take it after sex, the more effective it is. Taking it within the first 12 to 24 hours after sex is the most effective. It can be picked up from any pharmacy and does not require a prescription.

Pregnancy

If you’re concerned that you may be pregnant, you can use a pregnancy test.

You can buy pregnancy tests at the Wellness Centre, or at any drug store or pharmacy in British Columbia.

A doctor or nurse can also administer a pregnancy test and discuss your birth control or pregnancy options. Book an appointment with the Student Health Service on campus, or find a clinic in Vancouver.

Sexual orientation and gender identity

Whether we realize it or not, our sexual orientation and gender identity shape all of our experiences throughout our lifetime. 

Sexual orientation can encompass whether someone experiences sexual attraction, who they experience sexual attraction towards, and/or a person’s sense of identity based on their attraction to others. 

Gender identity, which is separate from sexual orientation, refers to how a person sees themselves in terms of gender. Gender is the socially constructed and culture-specific set of roles and attributes assigned to different people on the basis of perceived biological differences. It is also important to recognize that sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as your relationship to it, may change throughout your lifetime. 

There are many resources at UBC for those who would like to explore or discuss aspects of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity: 

  • AMS Pride Collective
    The AMS Pride Collective is a student-led organization that hosts events and provides resources dealing with sexual and gender diversity to the UBC community. They also have weekly discussion groups for 2SLGBTQIA+ students who would like to talk about their queer experience and connect with other members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at UBC.
  • Gender Empowerment Store
    Visit the Gender Empowerment Store, run by the AMS Pride Collective, for access to free gender-affirming products. Products include packers, binders, padding, gaffs, and boxers.
  • Healthier Masculinities Program
    The Healthier Masculinities Program is for any male or masculine-identifying students who want to explore the ways in which toxic masculinity harms people of all genders. They run discussion groups, workshops, and host online content around power, privilege, mental health, and lived experiences of masculinity.

Visit the Sexual Health Shop

The UBC Wellness Centre is a sexual health resource and offers a range of safer sex products and sex toys, available to all members of the UBC community. 

Products are specifically chosen to be gender inclusive, shame-free, pleasure-focused, and to celebrate the diversity of sexual experiences and identities at UBC.

Browse the shop

Apps and interactive resources

These websites and apps have been carefully chosen by health professionals at UBC. They’re easy and accessible tools you can use any time to help you manage your sexual health.

Peer support

It might be easier to talk with a trained student about sexuality and sexual health. They may understand what you’re going through and can offer helpful resources.

  • Wellness Centre
    Peer Health Educators at the Wellness Centre are trained students who can help if you have questions or need resources for your sexual health or anything related to your life as a student.
  • AMS Peer Support
    AMS Peer Support provides free, confidential, one-on-one peer support for UBC students facing a wide variety of challenges.

Professional help

If you need a prescription for birth control, STI testing, or support with sex and sexual health, talk to a health professional.

  • Student Health Service
    Book an appointment to get prescriptions, testing, IUD insertion, and more.
  • Counselling Services
    Available from Monday to Friday, you can connect to discuss any sex, sexuality, or relationship concerns you may have.
  • Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO)
    SVPRO is a confidential place for those who have experienced, or been impacted by, any form of sexual or gender-based violence, harassment, or harm, regardless of where or when it took place. 
  • AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC)
    Talk to a support worker in a confidential and safe space. 
  • Here2Talk
    Call, chat online, or use the mobile app to get free, immediate, 24/7 mental health counselling for any concerns you may have, including those around sex, sexuality, or relationships.
  • HealthLink BC 
    Call 811 to speak with a nurse or access online resources