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 […]
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 […]
Winter Testing Guide: How to Get Free, Fast STI and HIV Tests During the Holidays
December gets busy. Plans stack up, schedules shift, and health tasks get put on the back burner. Your sexual health should not. Use this quick guide to stay covered in St. Louis, even when your calendar is full. Where To Test In St. Louis Health Stop STL, Testing & Referral Center Walk in for free, […]
Beyond Condoms: Protective Barriers You Might Not Know About
Condoms get all the attention. And for good reason! But they’re not the only barrier that protects against STIs and helps you control pregnancy risk. Internal condoms, dental dams, and gloves can make sex safer, more comfortable, and more affirming across all body types and kinds of sex. Here’s how to use them correctly, pair […]