How My Condition Can Impact My Sexual Health
Asking Your Physician or Specialist About Your Sexual Health
Sexual development can be affected by health conditions, medicines, or treatments. School lessons and the internet might not explain what this means for your body, so it’s important to ask trusted adults or health care professionals, and use reliable resources to help you understand what’s right for you.
- Make a list of questions before your appointment so you are prepared.
- Ask how your health condition, medications, or treatments might affect your puberty, sexual development, or body changes.
- Ask about your periods (menstruation), changes in body hair, skin, and hormones. Can your development be delayed or different from that of others?
- Ask about contraception options, especially if you are at risk for side effects because of your condition or medications.
- Check if there are symptoms you should know or watch for because of your health condition.
- Ask about safe sex, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and ways to protect yourself.
- If you are sexually active, start learning about your ability to have children; any possible limits, and whether genetic counselling might be helpful for you.
- Ask about condition-specific websites, clinics, specialists or workshops that have sexual health info for your specific needs.
- Record what you learn in your Health Profile.
Learning So You Can Make Informed Choices
- Track your body changes and notice patterns, like periods or moods. Record them on your phone calendar app or in a journal.
- Talk to a parent, guardian, or another adult you trust about questions you have.
- Ask for guidance from a school nurse, counsellor, or youth health clinic staff on general sexual health issues.
- Use youth-focused that are connected to well-researched information.
- Attend workshops, webinars, or school programs about sexual health and safe practices.
- Keep a personal journal or notes app on your phone to track your questions, answers, and decisions.
- Think about what feels right for your body and your comfort level.
- Understand the risks and benefits of choices like contraception or sexual activity.
“Learning about your sexual health is an important part of understanding your body and taking care of yourself. It might be similar or different from your friends if you have a chronic health condition or a disability. Regular school sexual education, might not answer the questions you have. Everyone’s experience is unique, so it’s okay to have questions and take your time to learn.”
Tip
Remember: it’s okay to ask questions more than once and take your time making decisions.
Youth Toolbox
Using Your Phone
Notes app to record any symptoms that are new or worrying you, questions, and choices.
Calendar app – note date of any changes or concerns.
Contacts app – make a list of sexual health clinics and services in your area.
Safe Relationships & Setting Boundaries
Understanding Your Feelings & Boundaries
- Start by thinking about your family, culture, personal beliefs, and values.
- Be honest with your partner about your health needs, feelings, and concerns long before you become physically involved.
- Talk about how chronic pain, fatigue, or other symptoms might affect your energy and desires.
- Talk to your physician or a trusted knowledgeable adult about any new feelings around your sexuality.
- Be open to talk about your physical and emotional feelings as they can change.
- Remember you always have the right to say what you want and need in a relationship.
- With your partner, talk about how you are going to communicate when you are ready, what you want, and when to say no or stop!
- Use your skills in advocating for yourself to ensure your voice is heard in your sexual relationships.
Focusing on Being Safe in Your Relationships
- Be real with your partner about your health condition, needs, and personal boundaries so you both understand and respect each other.
- Speak up if your comfort with closeness or intimacy has changed because of your body or health. Surgeries, scars, weight changes, or medical devices can impact how you feel in your body and so it can change how you feel when you are vulnerable and intimate with someone.
- Use protection! Practice safe sex by using protection like condoms and dental dams, especially if there are concerns about transmission of infections or pregnancy.
- Know that some medicines or treatments can change how your body responds to acts of intimacy. It is important to talk about it with your partner.
- Be open to talking to a therapist our councillor (solo or with your partner – its up to you). They can help guide you with suggestions on how to cope with your physical changes and emotional needs.
Making Consent a Priority
- Make consent a priority. Consent is everything in a relationship. Make sure its mutual, ongoing, and clear. And remember, you can pause or say “no” and withdraw your consent at ANY time.
- Know about the law and safety issues around sexting. There are risks with anything you send online or on your phone.
- Learn about sex and consent from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada in Sex and U.
- Have your own safety plan. Learn about a safety plan in the resource kit and/or create your own with the template from Kids Help Phone.
“If you’re living with a health condition, disability, or chronic symptoms, your feelings and relationships – especially intimate ones – might look a little different. And that’s totally ok! The key is to stay safe, feel respected, and know your boundaries. Being open about your needs and checking in with your partner can help build a stronger, more supportive connection.”
Tip
Check your information carefully. Use well-researched and established websites to learn about your sexuality.
Youth Toolkit
UsIng Your Phone
Notes app to record any symptoms that are new or worrying you.
Calendar app to note date of changes or symptoms.
Contacts app – Sexual health clinics and services in your area.
Call or text Sex Sense (Options for Sexual Health) to ask your questions.
1-800-739-7367
Learning about Screening, Contraception, & Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Learning About Health Screening
Some health conditions, medications, treatments and even your family history can increase your risk for cancers and other conditions. This is why regular screening and self-checks matter.
- Know that self-checks and screening tests are important to do because they help you notice changes in your body early and get help before small problems become big ones.
- Regular check-ins with your body also help you learn what’s normal for you and when things change – like lumps, bumps, pain or discharge.
- Talk to your physician or health care professionals about which annual screening tests are right for you based on your age, sex, gender identity, medications, treatments, and health history.
Tracking Your Sexual Health History & Screening
Keeping track of your sexual health is an important part of your overall well-being.
- Learn about screening tests like breast, mammograms, testicular, prostate, and cervical exams, including what they are and who does them. Check out Healthlink BC for more information.
- Ask what screening tests you should have done and how often. Record your screening dates on your calendar and review your test results.
- Keep track of any sexually-transmitted infections (STI) history in your health profile (include the name of the infection, symptoms, treatment, and when it started).
- Know how often you should be tested for STIs based on your sexual activity, partners, and protection methods.
- Use your health calendar or phone to record when you had tests, treatments, or checkups, and to set reminders for follow- ups and other recommended health screening tests.
Understanding Birth Control & Protection
- Learn about the different birth control options – like the pill, patch, IUD, implant, condoms, or emergency contraception. Each has pros, cons, and side effects.
- Talk to your physician or a sexual health clinic to figure out what method is best for YOU based on your values, body, health condition, treatments, and medications.
- Don’t forget protection against STIs – condoms and dental dams help reduce the risk of infections during sex.
- If you’re sexually active, getting tested regularly for STIs is just part of taking care of yourself and your partners. It’s normal, responsible, and nothing to be ashamed of – ever.
Using Sexual Health Services
- Use all the skills you have learned in preparing for a health visit, self-advocating for yourself, and having your list of questions.
- Understand that the staff in youth health clinics are there to help you – not judge you.
- Take the opportunity to ask questions about anything sex and or your emotional health.
- Learn about how to keep yourself safe, ask about boundaries, protection and where to get help, if needed.
- Check out Youth Clinics in your area for free, youth-friendly confidential sexual health services.
- Search for STI Screening and Testing – BC Centre for Disease control.
- Check the Clinic Finder for Options for Sexual Health Clinics across BC.
- Know that you can get Checked for an STI Online – run by the BC Centre for Disease Control.
“Self-checks and screening tests are important to do because they can help you notice changes in your body early and get help before small problems become big ones. Pay attention to your body and take action if something doesn’t feel right. If you are sexually active, be responsible and have yourself and your partner tested for STI’s. Taking care of your sexual health is part of taking care of your overall health and well-being.”
Tip
Ask your physician or specialist if your health conditions, medications, or treatments put you at a greater risk of being diagnosed with a secondary health condition or cancer. If so, what screening tests are recommended?
Youth Toolkit
Use Your Phone
Calendar app for recording your screening dates and birth control updates.
Set Alarms or Reminders for appointments and screening dates.
Cloud storage like Dropbox or
iCloud to access your Health Profile with sexual health updates.
Navigating My Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
Getting Health Care that Respects Your Choices
As you explore and work through your feelings of who you are – remember, that accessing inclusive care is your right. Part of advocating for safe care should include health care providers who respect your identity, who use your name and chosen pronouns, and support you without judgment. It’s okay to ask questions, seek clarity, and take your time. You deserve care that makes you feel safe and seen.
- Learn about your identity so you can explain your needs and your choice for pronouns in health care settings.
- Use words that feel right to you when talking with physicians and other health professionals.
- Decide what to share and when about your gender or sexuality.
- Ask for respectful and gender-affirming care that matches who you are.
- Know your rights to privacy and care without discrimination.
- Bring a trusted person (your health advocate) to appointments for support or advocacy if needed.
- Access mental health supports when stress, confusion, or discrimination affects your well-being.
- Practice self-care while navigating health systems and personal identity.
Learning about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- Understand that everyone’s journey is different, and there is no right timeline.
- Learn common words and terms so you can describe how you feel in ways that make sense to you.
- Learn about the words and labels often used in gender identity and sexual orientation from the Kids Help Phone.
- Understand the meaning of 2SLGBTQIA+ from Fraser Health Authority.
- 2S means Two-Spirit: A term used by an Indigenous person to describe their spiritual, gender and sexual identity.
- L means Lesbian:A female who is mainly sexually attracted to females.
- G means Gay:A male who is mainly sexually attracted to males.
- B means Bisexual:A male or female who is sexually attracted to males and females.
- T means Trans or Transgender: Trans or Transgender is an umbrella term that describes a wide range of people whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth.
- Q means Queer or Questioning:Queer is a term a non-heterosexual person might use to refer to themselves instead of gay, lesbian or bisexual. Questioning refers to a person who is still clarifying what their sexual orientation is.
- I means Intersex
- A means Asexual
- + means additional identities: As society changes, attitudes to sexual identity and the terms used can also change.
- Know that gender identity is different from sexual orientation. Sexual orientation refers to a person’s choices and whom a person is attracted to and gender identity refers to a person’s sense of how they feel about themselves and their gender.
- If you or your parents/guardians are exploring these topics – you might want to check out the Kelty Resources for definitions, videos, and more.
- Use qualified, evidenced-based websites and resources to learn more – some are listed in your Toolbox.
Finding Supports, Counselling, and Connections
You are not alone. Consider connecting with youth exploring their sexual orientation and gender identity in your community or virtually.
- “Gay/Straight” alliances, teachers, counsellors and your trusted adult in high schools.
- 2SLGBTQIA+ support groups at Colleges and Universities.
- Local support services for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
- Public health services in your area.
- Qmunity provides personal counselling services and peer support groups for queer and trans youth ages 14-25 years.
- Trans Care B.C. provides information and support for people in B.C. to gender-affirming health and wellness care.
- Health Initiative for Men (HIM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the health and well-being of gay and bisexual men. HIM provides one-on-one and group counselling, life coaching, and wellness programming tailored to GBQ men.
- First Nations Health – 2slgbtqqia-wellness provides support specifically for first nation peoples on 2S/LGBTQQIA+, Gender-affirming product coverage, Support Hotlines, Programs & Organizations, and Online Resources.
- Suggestions for People with Disabilities navigating gender-affirming from Trans Care BC.
- 2 Spirit Collective is a program for self-identifying Indigenous youth ages 15 to 30 who identify as Two-Spirit and/or LGBTQ2S+.
- MindMapBC is a comprehensive online directory of queer-friendly mental health services in BC.
“As you explore and work through your feelings of who you are – remember that accessing inclusive care is your right. Part of advocating for safe care should include health care providers who respect your identity, who use your name and chosen pronouns, and support you without judgment. It’s okay to ask questions, seek clarity, and take your time. You deserve care that makes you feel safe and seen. Be patient with your journey, be kind to yourself, and surround yourself with people who celebrate you for who you are.”
Tip
Inclusive and respectful health care is everyone’s right. Advocating for safe care means seeking out health care professionals who respect your identity, use your name and chosen pronouns, and support you without judgment.
Youth Toolkit
Using Your Phone
Contacts app to list supportive programs and people.
Calendar app to set goals to contact supportive services & programs.
Notes app to journal your feelings.
Kids Help Phone
Talk to a real person 1-800-668-6868
Text 686868
Exploring Family Planning & Genetic Counselling
Understanding Your Reproductive Health Options
If you are sexually active or thinking about becoming sexually active – you may want to explore information about your reproductive health. Like – can I cause a pregnancy, can I carry a pregnancy, what are my options and my choices?
- Ask your physician for a referral to a specialist who knows about sexual and reproductive health related to your condition.
- Ask how your health condition, treatments, or medications might affect your ability to get pregnant and have a baby.
- Find out if your condition is genetic (runs in your family) and whether genetic counselling could help you understand your options.
- Learn the basics about ovulation, sperm production, egg implantation, and pregnancy—no question is too small or awkward.
Planning Ahead & Protecting Your Future
- Ask if your medications are safe during pregnancy and what changes might be needed before, during, or after.
- Talk about your prognosis (how your condition might change over time) and how that could affect your health or ability to raise a child.
- Explore fertility preservation options like egg freezing or sperm banking before starting certain treatments.
- Ask about birth control options that work well with your condition and medications.
Keep track of what you learn—take notes, save test results, and update your information in your Mywell Health digital or paper files
Learning about Genetic Testing & Counselling
- Start by asking if your health condition or that of a family member is hereditary (meaning that it can be passed on).
- Talk to your physician, nurse practitioner, or specialist about whether genetic counselling and testing is right for you. Consider both your physical and mental health.
- Seek out genetic counselling before becoming pregnant. Learn about ‘carrier screening’ to see if you or your partner carries a gene mutation for recessive disorders.
- Learn what genetic counselling is and how it helps assess risk for inherited health conditions.
- Learn about the role of a genetic counsellor and how to connect with one from the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors.
- Ask for a referral to a public genetic clinic, such as programs connected to BC Children’s Hospital.
- Explore private genetic counselling options if you want faster access or do not have a referral.
- Prepare your personal and family health history before your appointment and record it in your Health Profile.
- Ask questions about genetic testing, including what tests are available, what they can and cannot tell you, and what are the costs.
- Learn how to understand test results and what they may mean for your health, future, and if you decide to have children.
“Being sexually active can come with big decisions, including the possibility of having a baby. If you have a health condition, talking with your doctor, nurse practitioner, specialist, or a genetic counsellor can help you understand your options and/or any risks to your baby.”
Tip
Request a referral to a specialist for up-to-date information on how your health condition may impact your reproductive choices.
Youth Toolkit
Using Your Phone
Contacts app to list genetic testing & programs.
Notes app to journal your questions and findings.
Calendar app to keep track of appointments.
