Sexual Health and Mental Health: How They’re Connected (And Why It Matters)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which makes it a great time to talk about something often overlooked: how your mental health and sexual health are connected. Your mental and sexual health are closely linked. How you feel emotionally can shape your choices about sex, testing, and relationships. In turn, your sexual experiences can affect […]
Sex After a Positive STI Diagnosis: Dating, Disclosure, and Moving Forward
Finding out you have a positive STI diagnosis, whether it’s herpes, HIV, HPV, or something else, can feel like the ground is shifting under your feet. There’s often a rush of emotions: shock, shame, anger, fear. And then, somewhere underneath all of that, a question that might feel too vulnerable to even say out loud: […]
Your First STI Test: What to Expect, Step by Step
So you’ve decided to get tested. That’s one of the best things you can do for yourself. Getting an STI test in St. Louis is a normal, responsible, and caring act for you and the people close to you. But if it’s your first time, we understand it might feel a little intimidating. What will […]
STI Treatment 101: What Happens After a Positive Test
A positive STI test can bring up so many new emotions, including stress, shame, or fear. We’re here to tell you: take a breath. Most STIs are treatable, and many are curable. The most important thing is what you do next. Treatment protects your health and helps stop the spread. Step 1. Understand What STI […]
“I Tested Negative…Now What?” STI Test Results to Plan Your Next Steps
Getting a negative STI or HIV test result can feel like a huge relief. But then the second-guessing comes into play. Am I fully in the clear? Do I need to test again? What do I say to partners? A negative result is great news, and it’s a great time to set up a plan […]
Are You Safe? February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Boundaries, Digital Safety, and Where You Can Get Help in St. Louis February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. The goal is clear: help young people recognize healthy relationships, set boundaries, and find support fast. National groups like Love Is Respect provide tools for teens, caregivers, and educators to learn warning signs, plan for safety, […]
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Testing, PrEP, and Care Without Barriers in St. Louis
February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The focus is simple and urgent: increase access to prevention, testing, and treatment, and close long-standing gaps in outcomes for Black communities. The official NBHAAD campaign and federal partners call for action on stigma, access, and early care so people can learn their status and stay healthy. […]
Winter Illness or STI? Sorting Sore Throats, Rashes, and Flu-like Symptoms
Winter brings coughs and colds. It also can bring your sexual health into question if you’ve been sexually active. Is this a virus or an STI? Some symptoms overlap. Here is how to tell what to test, when to test, and what to do next. Sore Throat After Oral Sex A winter virus can cause […]
Sex, Substances, and Safer Decisions
January is the perfect time for a reset. Beyond the typical resolutions for your health and well-being, you can also reset how you think about consent, safety, and sex. Alcohol and drugs change how people read cues, set boundaries, and remember details. Trying out a month of sobriety or even just paying closer attention to […]
Year-End Sexual Health Reset: Simple Habits to Start Now and Keep in 2026
A reset works best when it is small, clear, and repeatable. Use these steps to build a sexual health routine you can keep all year. Pick Your Testing Cadence Choose a schedule that matches your life. Annual testing works for some. Every three to six months fits those with new or multiple partners. Put the […]