The Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s Sexual Health Program promotes and celebrates healthy sexuality. This includes understanding possible consequences of sex including pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and protecting yourself against those risks by practicing safe sex. Education is important. We encourage everyone to talk openly about sex with clinic staff and their own health-care providers so that they can get all the facts and make the right decisions for themselves.
Our role is to provide sexual health education, testing, and services for adults and teens including:
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) and blood borne infection (BBI) testing based on assessment
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing, including anonymous HIV testing
- Birth control education and medications including “the pill”, “the patch” and “the morning after pill”
- Pap testing (screening for cervical cancer)
- Pregnancy testing, discussion about options and appropriate referrals
- Counselling and education on sexual health issues, with referrals to other community services as necessary
Staff in the program offer services based on our guiding principles. The TBDHU Sexual Health Program is:
- Respectful
- Non-judgmental
- Confidential
- A positive space for LGBTQ persons
- Pro-choice
What We Do
- Birth Control (including Emergency Contraception)
- Pregnancy Testing and Options
- STI Testing and Treatment
- Sexual Health Education
- Pap Tests
To book an appointment for any of these services, please visit the Sexual Health Clinic.
Sexual Health and You
Sexual Health Rights
In Canada, you have the right to make decisions about your body. You have the right to:
- Agree whether or not to have sexual relations
- Decide when to have sex or not
- Choose your partner
- Choose whether or not to marry and choose your spouse
- Respect your own body and your partner’s body, to protect yourself and your partner from STIs and HIV
- Choose your own doctor
- Choose a birth control method that is right for you
- Receive sexual and reproductive health care services
- Receive information about sexual and reproductive health
- Decide whether or not to have children, when to have children and how many children to have
For more information please visit the What is Consent? page of the SexandU.ca website.
Sexuality and Aging
Sexuality is life-long. Generally the amount of sexual activity decreases the older we get, but our sexual interest and ability remain fairly constant. However, there are physical changes in men and women that can affect sexual activity.
Sexual Diversity
It is your right to identify your own sexual orientation and gender, just as it’s your right to identify your own religion and beliefs. However for some, understanding personal sexual orientation and gender can be difficult. The TBDHU helps through education and by suggesting organizations for personal counselling. For more information, please visit our 2SLGBTQI+ Resources page.
For Further Information
Call the Sexual Health clinic (807) 625-5900
Or toll-free 1-888-294-6630