Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – do I need to worry about this?

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are caused by bacteria or viruses that are transmitted through sexual activity including vaginal, oral and anal sex. Some STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea can negatively impact a man’s fertility.
• Getting tested and treated is important for you and your partner’s health. In order to be a healthy and fertile couple, you both should be tested regularly.
• Here are some resources on where to get tested in your province or territory:
  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
  • Yukon

• Women who have chlamydia, gonorrhea and/or other sexual infections are more likely to get pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infections in their fallopian tubes. PID and other infections can cause infertility.
• What is involved in testing?
  • A urine test is used to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea. For HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B and C, you’ll need to get a blood test in addition to the urine test.
• Get vaccinated. There is a vaccine that helps protect you against some strains of HPV (human papillomavirus), which can cause head and neck, anal and penile cancer. Getting the vaccine also helps prevent passing HPV to others and protects women from cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is approved in Canada for males ages 9-26. Please consult your health care provider for more information on eligibility and the ways of obtaining the vaccine in your area.
  • Please also consult HPV vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide.

Sex isn’t always easy

• Having sex can create anxiety and/or embarrassment for some men, especially when trying to conceive. This is called sexual performance anxiety (SPA). SPA can affect your relationship satisfaction and your general well-being.
  • Is it SPA or something else?
    • SPA makes it harder to relax during sex.
    • Some men with SPA may worry about having sex before starting to have sex.
    • Men with SPA may feel like worry or anxiety follows them into the bedroom, making it difficult to focus on their partner.
    • You may feel like you are less than a man because you’re not able to have sex.
• How to manage SPA
  • Practice focusing your attention on specific aspects of your partner to remove the focus from yourself. Try to focus on the sensations and feelings you are experiencing in the moment.
  • Sometimes it is helpful to talk to a trained professional. A psychologist, a psychotherapist or a sex therapist who specializes in this area can offer some ways to decrease your anxiety. This can be especially helpful if there has been a specific incident that triggered the anxiety.

• Try talking to your partner about your worries. In many cases, people don’t realize how understanding their partners are or that their partners also feel anxiety in the bedroom.