What is Sexual Health?

The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality. While there are many important aspects to sexual health, De Pere Health Department’s primary role in promoting sexual health is surveillance, education, and prevention regarding sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STD or STI) including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV/AIDS. Below are some resources for you to consider:

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Learn about different types of STDs

Prevent STDs

  • Follow the ABCs of STD prevention:
    • Avoid having sex until you feel prepared to protect yourself
    • Be monogamous or have sex with just one person who only has sex with you and doesn’t have any STDs. You can find out if both of you have an STD, like chlamydia, by getting tested together
    • Condoms can protect you from getting STDs (but only where they cover)
  • Five Action Steps to Good Sexual Health
  • Tips for Condom Success 
  • Condom Use: An Overview | Condom Use | CDC:

    Always use a new condom for the entirety of every act of vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

    To correctly use an external condom:

    • Put the condom on the tip of the erect penis with rolled side out.
      • Pinch the tip to create a half-inch gap at top of condom.
        • Unroll condom to the base of the erect penis while holding tip.
          • After ejaculation, grip rim of condom and carefully withdraw.
            • Gently pull condom off penis, making sure semen doesn't spill out.
              • Wrap condom in a tissue and throw it in the trash.

                If you feel the condom break at any point during sexual activity, stop immediately. Remove the broken condom and put on a new one.

                Use water-based lubricants. Oil-based lubricants (petroleum jelly, body lotions, etc.) can weaken latex and break the condom.

              Find condoms

              Notify a partner about an exposure to a STD

              • Anyone who tests positive for a state reportable STD (like chlamydia or gonorrhea) can request their local health department’s help to notify their recent sexual partners confidentially and at no cost
              • If you would like anonymously notify your partners yourself, you can use a confidential text notification tool such as “Tell Your Partner”

              Find reduced cost STD/sexual health testing or services near me

              • FREE at-home test kits:  

                Wisconsin residents 18 and older can request free test kits using Simple HealthKit's secure web portal. Simple HealthKit will ship the tests in discreet packaging. Each package will include instructions in English and Spanish. Individuals will then administer their at-home test and return the sample in the mail using provided return packaging.

                Simple HealthKit will process the samples in their lab and notify residents when their test results are available in the online portal. Test results will be available within 24 to 48 hours after the sample arrives at the lab. 

              • Wisconsin 211 or call 2-1-1
              • CDC Get Tested: HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Testing
              • Planned Parenthood
              • Newcap Community Health Services
              • Vivent Health (formally AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin/ARCW)

              Report or treat a STD case