Sexual Health, Relationships, and Ethics

Flashcards on sexual health, contraception, respectful relationships, consent, body image, track and field technique, Catholic perspectives on sexuality, empathy, ethical decision-making, and related facts.

STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections)

Infections passed primarily through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Some can also be passed through skin-to-skin contact or blood.

Chlamydia

Often no symptoms ("silent infection"), discharge, pain during urination; treated with antibiotics; transmitted through unprotected sex.

Gonorrhoea

Painful urination, discharge; treated with antibiotics; transmitted through sexual contact.

Syphilis

Sores, rashes, can become serious if untreated; treated with antibiotics; transmitted through sexual contact, mother to baby.

HIV

Flu-like symptoms, weak immune system; no cure, managed with ART; transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids.

Herpes

Painful blisters, flu-like symptoms; no cure, antivirals manage outbreaks; transmitted through skin-to-skin, oral/genital contact.

HPV

Often no symptoms, can lead to genital warts or cancer, vaccine available; transmitted through skin-to-skin, sexual contact.

Hepatitis B

Liver damage, fatigue; vaccine and antiviral treatment available; transmitted through blood, sex, sharing needles.

Contraception

Methods used to prevent pregnancy. Some methods also reduce the risk of STIs.

Fertility Awareness

no hormones, helps track cycle, accepted by religious groups, but has a high risk of pregnancy if misused, not for irregular cycles, stress/medications affect accuracy

Male Condom

Protects against STIs, cheap, no hormones, easy to carry, but can break or slip, must be used every time, may reduce sensation

Contraceptive Implant

Lasts 3 years, very effective, fertility returns quickly, no daily pill, but offers No STI protection, insertion/removal by doctor, irregular bleeding, mood changes

Combined Oral Pill

Highly effective, regulates periods, quick return to fertility, but must take daily, side effects (nausea, mood swings), no STI protection

Hormonal IUD

Lasts up to 5 years, very effective, may reduce bleeding/cramps, but has insertion discomfort, no STI protection, irregular bleeding at first

Contraceptive Injection

Lasts 12 weeks, suitable if avoiding estrogen, no daily routine needed, but offers No STI protection, may delay fertility return, possible weight gain, bone loss

Copper IUD

Hormone-free, very effective, long-term (5–10 years), quick return to fertility, but can cause heavy periods and cramps, insertion discomfort, no STI protection

Emergency Contraceptive Pill

Easy access, useful after unprotected sex, but not for regular use, less effective over time, may cause nausea, no STI protection

Diaphragm

Hormone-free, can insert before sex, but must stay in place 6+ hrs after sex, no STI protection, UTI risk, needs spermicide

Key Qualities of Respectful relationships

Communication, Consent, Equality, Trust, Safety, Respect for boundaries

Abuse of power “red flags”

Jealousy or control, Monitoring your phone/social media, Isolating you from friends/family, Guilt-tripping or gaslighting

Consent

Freely given, informed, enthusiastic, specific, and reversible.

Sense of Identity

Knowing your values, beliefs, and how you fit into society.

Positive body image

Feeling confident and accepting of your body.

Negative body image

Can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-worth, disordered eating. Influenced by unrealistic beauty standards in the media.

Church teachings on sexuality

Sex in sacred: unites couple + creates life; Only acceptable within marriage; Opposes artificial contraception; Supports Natural Family Planning (NFP)

Church view on contraception

Belief that artificial contraception harms dignity and morality; Encourages responsible parenthood through NFP

Strategies to maintain sexual health

Always use protection (condoms); Communicate openly with partners; Get regular STI testing; Avoid pressure: it's OK to say no; Educate yourself on risks and signs of STIs

Empathy

Understanding and sharing the feelings of another person by putting yourself in their shoes.

Moral Decisions

Personal choices based on your sense of right and wrong (internal values).

Ethical Decisions

Choices made by considering fairness, laws, rules, and how actions affect others (external standards).

Analyse

Break down a concept or issue into its key components and examine both the positive and negative aspects, with a focus on understanding how and why something happens.

Evaluate

Make a judgment about how effective or ineffective something is, using evidence and examples to support your conclusion.

Assess

Make a clear judgment about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of a strategy, policy, or approach by weighing up its strengths and weaknesses.