Sexual Health

Last Updated: December 18, 2024
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Sexual health refers to a pers​on’s overall physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. This involves self-care, respect for partners, and protection of vulnerable individuals.

Most Service members understand that they are responsible for helping to reduce sexual assault amongst their units and communities. However, Service members may not recognize their other responsibilities for ensuring all Service members maintain positive sexual health. 

All Service members are responsible for:  

  • Protecting his or her own sexual health
  • Protecting others by not passing on sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • Preventing unintended pregnancy/paternity

Depsite this, thousands of military Service members are diagnosed every year with at least one STI, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and syphilis. 


What are STIs?

STIs are infections caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact and with shared toys. Viruses cause hepatitis B, genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Bacteria cause chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis. Parasite examples include pubic lice and trichomoniasis. See  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) STI Fact Sheets​​​.External Link 



FACT​​S

  • Symptoms may NOT be noticeable! A person can have an STI without having obvious symptoms, or symptoms may not occur for days, weeks, or even months after exposure. If you do have symptoms, they can include one or more of the following: pelvic, vaginal, or penile pain, swelling, burning, discharge or odors, rashes, blisters, or warts, bleeding between periods, and/or painful sex. 
  • See more under "Check your knowledge" section below.


How can you reduce your risk of getting or passing on an STI?

  • Practice self-care, self-respect, and consideration of others – abstain from sexual activity or at least minimize your number of partners and avoid risky sexual acts or encounters (such as drugs and excessive alcohol use, “hook-ups," unknown partners, offering or receiving money or drugs for sex); don't share needles or razor blades, and ensure tattoo and piercing facilities are safe. 
  • Get the human papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis B vaccines, and ensure partner(s) are vaccinated.
  •  Get tested as often as your healthcare provider suggests and ensure that your partners get tested. If you're sexually active, regular STI testing is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health and your partner(s)' health. Also encourage partner(s) to get tested. Routine testing is often advised because test results won't reflect exposures that happen after testing. The CDC recommends open conversations with your healthcare provider about your sexual history and testing needs. Remember why regular testing matters: 
    • Many STIs can be asymptomatic, so you might not know you're infected. 
    • Early detection helps ensure effective treatment and prevents complications. 
    • Regular testing protects your health and your partners' health. ​If you're not comfortable talking to your regular doctor about STIs, many clinics offer confidential and free or low-cost testing options. Take action today and talk to your doctor about your testing needs and schedule regular testing with your primary care provider. 

  • Get treated right away if you have an STI. Untreated STIs can cause infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pain, nervous system disorders, certain types of cancer, organ failure and potentially death. Untreated STIs can also be dangerous during pregnancy to a mother and her baby. 



Military resources to help combat STIs: ​


​Check your knowledge - Did you know?

  • Syphilis has risen 40% among military Service members 2020-2022.External Link Syphilis can cause serious effects to your brain, heart, eyes, and other organs, and be passed from a pregnant person to their baby. Syphilis is generally easy to cure in its early stages with penicillin,​ but the longer it goes untreated the more damage it can do. Prevent syphilis by using condoms every time you have sex and get tested regularly if sexually active. If you test positive for syphilis, tell your current and past partners. 
  • The HPV vaccination can prevent over 90% of cancers caused by HPV. Human​ papillomavirus (HPV)External Link is a common STI virus that can lead to certain cancers later in life (years or decades after exposure to HPV). The CDCExternal Link reports that HPV can cause cancers of the cervixExternal Link, vagina, and vulvaExternal Link in w​omen, the penisExternal Link in men, and in the anusExternal Link, mouth, and throatExternal Link​, in both men and women. Ideally, children get fully vaccinated when younger, such as 11-12 years of age. Per CDC guidelinesExternal Link, if not fully vaccinated as a child, everyone male or female up to 26 years of​ age should get the HPV vaccine. Individuals 27–45 years may benefit from the vaccine but should discuss with their healthcare provider first. 
  • Every day a Service member is diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Do your part to help end HIV in the military community. Lower your risk by using condoms, get tested for STIs, and talk to your provider about whether you would benefit from the daily HIV pre-exposure prohylaxis pill (“PrEP")External Link. 
  • ​Sexual Trauma affects members of all genders and types of background in the DOD. The term “military sexual trauma" (MST) is used to refer to sexual assault/threatening sexual harassment/any sexual activity in which you are involved against your will or when unable to say no experienced during military service. Treatment for any physical or mental health condition related to MSTExternal Link is provided free of charge to Veterans or active Service members, regardless of when the MST occurred. In addition, the DOD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office​External Link provides resources for both military personnel and TRICARE MHS beneficiaries. Learn other DOD initiatives aimed at reducing sexual assaultExternal Link. 

 

For more information: