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On this page, we explain sexual health rights. Sexual health helps us have safe sexual experiences that feel good. To have good sexual health, people need health care for birth control and pregnancy. They need advice about preventing diseases and having safe sex.
Some people feel happy talking about their body. Other people:
If we don't talk about sexual health, we can miss out on the health care we need. Poor sexual health can lead to disease or unwanted pregnancy. It can prevent pleasure.
Everyone has the right to sexual health care that is:
People with disabilities have a right to sexual health care. We deserve to have healthy sex lives. People with intellectual disability have the same rights but may face barriers in getting the support they need.
Sexual health includes:
Anyone who has sex needs sexual health services. In Australia, a general practitioner (GP) is the best place to start.
A GP can help if you:
You can take a support person to your appointment. They can help you remember your questions and the advice you get. You can get tips to prepare for a medical appointment on the Neve page Getting the most out of health services (internal link).
People who have sex should know how to prevent sexually transmitted infections and what to do if they have one. Sexually transmitted infections are also known as STIs. You can catch one if you have sex without protection.
Common signs of STIs include:
To prevent STIs, use birth control that acts as a barrier, such as condoms. Dental dams are a good option for oral sex. You can buy condoms at any pharmacy or supermarket. If you need a dental dam, you can get one from the Family Planning Alliance Australia website (external link). You can also lower your risk by having few sexual partners.
It's a good idea to have regular sexual health checks from your doctor or health worker. This is true even if you don't have any symptoms. Sexual health checks are vital for people who have many sexual partners, people who don't use barrier birth control like condoms and people with symptoms.
If you need support, take someone to your appointment.
Education about sex can help you understand consent, safety and pleasure. It is available in many places. You can ask a trusted caregiver. You can read the Neve pages on Consent (internal link) and Pleasure (internal link). You can also visit the SECCA website (external link).
If you care for someone with a disability, resources are available to help them learn about sex. The SECCA website (link above) is a good place to start. You can find more resources on the Family Planning NSW website (external link).
Our bodies change through life. Menopause is a change that affects people who have had menstrual cycles, also known as periods. During menopause, menstrual periods stop and there are changes in hormones, too. It affects people in different ways. You might:
It can affect your relationships and social life. People with intellectual disabilities may have menopause earlier than others. People with Down Syndrome may have it even earlier.
When menopause begins, it can make other health conditions worse. There is not much information about how menopause affects people with intellectual disabilities. The impact of menopause might be more challenging for people who don't understand the change. Women living in residential homes with limited privacy may have more stress.
Talk to a health worker if you are worried about menopause.
Renata uses a wheelchair to get around. Her GP has never asked her to have a pap smear. Renata doesn't want to be a bother, so she hasn't asked for one either. However, women Renata's age should have a pap smear every three years. If Renata were to ask for a pap smear, she wouldn't be bothering anyone. She would be looking after her sexual health.
Renata has a cognitive disability. Her father believes she should not learn about sex. He worries that sex education will make Renata vulnerable. However, if Renata does not know how people become pregnant or have sex safely, she could be at risk. Like everyone, Renata should have accurate and age-appropriate sex education.
Many women and gender-diverse people experience sexual violence and abuse. If this is your situation, you are not alone. Nor is it your fault. Like everyone, you deserve to feel safe and loved. You deserve to be in charge of what happens to your body. This website section offers a safe, informative, and supportive environment to learn about different forms of sexual violence and abuse. You can get a clear idea of how sexual violence might be impacting you. You can find support. You can plan for a safer future
Find out moreAustralian law covers disability rights. It offers protection from violence, including violence that happens at home.
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