Sex Ed For All!

May is Sex Ed for All Month! This is the month we work to raise awareness about the importance of comprehensive sexual education for everyone. Sexual health is one of the building blocks of your overall health, and it’s crucial that all individuals have access to information to promote their sexual health. 

Sexual education is not just about teaching people how to avoid sexually transmitted infections or unplanned pregnancies. It is also about promoting healthy relations, consent, and communication. Comprehensive sexual education can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their sexual health ensuring they live healthier and more fulfilling sex lives. 

Unfortunately, not everyone has access to comprehensive sexual education. It may not be taught in some schools, or be part of a community that stigmatize discussing sex and sex-related topics. Everyone deserves to feel empowered and confident in their own skin, and we're here to make that happen!

At Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio, we offer online resources through our website as well as in-person services which include counseling, testing, and treatment. We also have education and advocacy programs whose goal is to bring access to accurate and inclusive sexual health education to schools and communities. 

Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Ohio is committed to providing access to comprehensive sexual education for all individuals regardless of their age, gender, or background. This also includes individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Everyone deserves to feel empowered and confident in their own skin. 

We connect to individuals with IDD through interactive and engaging methods in order to help them understand sexual health and make informed choices. We ensure to cover all topics such as puberty, menstruation, contraception, sexual orientation, and sexual violence prevention. This creates an inclusive space where individuals with IDD can learn and grow through their sexual health journey. 

For the parents and caregivers of these individuals, we provide resources and support because we know these conditions can be difficult.  Using the right tools and support, we hope to create an open and honest dialogue about sexual health that benefits everyone involved.

While sex education is often associated with young people, Sex Ed for All Month reminds us that sexual health is a lifelong journey. There are not a lot of opportunities to learn Sex Education after individuals have completed school. This leaves people without proper resources and can lead to being lost or confused regarding their sexual health. This is especially true for older adults who may face unique health-related challenges as they age. Planned Parenthood recognizes the importance of including the aging community and is committed to providing sex ed resources to people of all ages. 

There are physical changes that can occur with age proper sexual education resources will address that. There could be changes in hormone levels, sexual function, or overall health. At Planned Parenthood, we provide older adults with information about these changes. Aiding them in a better understanding of their bodies and navigating any challenges that may arise. 

It's a common misconception that STIs are a concern mainly for young people, however, anyone who is sexually active is at risk. To help mitigate the risk, Planned Parenthood offers STI testing and treatment services for all ages. We also work on educating them on safe sex practices and methods to reduce the risk of transmission. We believe that everyone deserves access to accurate and inclusive sexual health education. Our goal is to empower people of all ages on their sexual health journey.