By EUN JO

Staff Writer

Today is Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day. It is valuable in developing awareness of and interest in healthy sex and reproduction to protect your sexuality. It was begun by the World Association for Sexual Health in 2010.

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights says all humans are born as sexual beings, and as a general rule, there is a long progress to form one’s sexuality. It adds that all people have different ways to express their gender because it is formed by individual values, attitudes, behaviours, body images, beliefs, emotions, personality and experiences. The sexuality value of all gender is equal. Sexual health also influences reproductive health.

Action Canada says that to protect your sexual and reproductive health you need to form good relations with others.

MadlinePlus of the U.S. says diseases such as gonorrhoea, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), AIDS and others are transmitted through sexual relations. About preventing the diseases, Sarah Burciaul, health promoter for Niagara Region, says, “There is abstinence, which is the most effective way, however, that is not always realistic. We actually recommend using the latex condom for intercourse. Using a latex condom and getting the vaccine for the virus is helping to prevent people from getting sexual diseases.”

When you have problems with sexual and reproductive health, people need to ask for information from sexual health organizations. For Niagara residents, there are sexual health centres in St. Catharines, Welland, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie.

“We offer sexual health services confidentially. We provide the confidential treatment and testing,” says Burciaul.

The Region provides treatment of sexually transmitted infection, as well as sexual education, birth control service for someone who has difficulties with birth control, free pregnancy testing as well as the morning after pill service to help people reduce the risk of pregnancy.“People can make the informed decision about their sexuality and health decision,” says Burciaul.For more information on sexual health visit https://www.niagararegion.ca/living/health_wellness/sexualhealth/default.aspx.