Taking Control of Sexual Health on World Contraception Day
By Jacquie Richardson, CEO of Positive Life NI
On 26 September we mark World Contraception Day, and this year’s theme, Your Body. Your Choice, is a powerful prompt – not just about preventing pregnancy, but about owning your sexual health, in the same way as we look after every other part of our health.
To be specific, when it comes to preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), we’re talking about condoms. Even if you have something sorted to prevent pregnancy (like the pill), condoms are still really important as a barrier to infections which can be passed on through sexual contact.
In Northern Ireland today, contraception is more accessible than ever. You can find free contraception through sexual and reproductive health clinics, GPs, pharmacies, SH:24, and other services.
Accessing contraception is one thing. But we also need to move towards more open conversations, to support people to make informed choices, to feel safe asking, stopping, or switching when needed.
Why is sexual health just not sexy?
We are surrounded by a plethora of health messaging online – from the latest trendy workouts, to “game-changing” supplements, or high protein diets – and yet conversations about sexual health don’t really feature. Why is that? It’s strange that in this open and liberal era, when some of the most surprising topics are not off-limits, sexual health is still shrouded in awkwardness, embarrassment, and silence. Talking about our sexual health is just not sexy!
But here’s the problem with not talking about this: my own work in HIV prevention and support has taught me that if people feel unsafe or judged, they won’t ask the questions they need. They may avoid accessing contraception, be embarrassed to tell a partner what they want (eg to use a condom), or, down the line, they may delay accessing STI or HIV testing.
Why HIV matters
Within these conversations, we still need to talk about HIV – it’s still very much a part of the overall picture on sexual health. It’s a very serious virus – if left undiagnosed and untreated, HIV can be life-limiting and contrary to some belief, it hasn’t gone away.
In Northern Ireland there are roughly 100 new cases of HIV diagnosed each year.
The good news is that with early diagnosis, HIV treatment today is incredibly good and when it’s accessed, people with HIV can live long and fulfilling lives.
The key to tackling HIV is to a) practice safe sex by using condoms and, if appropriate, the HIV preventative medicine, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP); and b) HIV testing.
While HIV can initially give flu-like symptoms, it can be initially confused for any other virus and then it may lay dormant for months or even years, undetected. For some people, an HIV + test result comes as a real shock. Testing is the key to preventing onward HIV transmission: the sooner you are tested, the sooner you can access treatment. Once you’re on effective treatment, the virus is knocked back so much that it can’t be transmitted (we call this U=U: undetectable = untransmittable).
When condoms are used, HIV transmissions fall. When PrEP is known about, offered, and understood, even more prevention happens. But unfortunately, awareness remains low – only 17% of people have heard of PrEP in NI. Again, we need to talk about this stuff more!
How Positive Life Contributes
At Positive Life NI, we believe that conversation is where change begins. We offer:
- Safe, non-judgemental spaces to ask tough questions.
- HIV testing, information and support with access to health services.
- Peer support and counselling so people living with HIV feel heard and seen.
- Awareness raising and outreach.
A Call for Action This World Contraception Day
So on this World Contraception Day, let’s talk about our sexual health. Let’s push for:
- Conversations that normalize sexual health – in schools, workplaces, clinics, homes.
- Prevention-first thinking: contraception, testing, HIV awareness, and stigma reduction.
It’s your body. Your choice.
Let’s talk about the all things that will keep you well.
