Sexual Health and Wellness

Welcome to KPU’s Sexual Health and Wellness Resource!

Sexual Health

Sexual health is an important aspect of overall health and wellbeing, and at KPU, we want to support our students navigating these issues and provide information to make healthy informed choices. Below you will find several topics relating to sex and sexual health, including information on how to “navigate” sex, such as conversations about consent, communication, and healthy boundaries, information about sexually transmitted diseases and contraception, as well as information regarding gender affirming care. You’ll also be able to learn about what services you can access on-campus and in your community to support your sexual health and your overall health and wellbeing.

This resource has been developed by the Student Health Promotion department.

Sexually Transmitted Infections and Contraception

What are STIs (sexually transmitted infections)?

Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are caused by organisms like viruses, bacteria, and funguses, and are spread from person to person through sexual contact.

What is Contraception?

Contraception, otherwise known as birth control, is a method to help prevent pregnancy.

Learn More

Gender Affirming Care

What is Gender Affirming Care?

Gender Affirming care recognizes the identity, individuality and expression of each person – a uniqueness that is influenced by intersecting factors like age, ethnicity, race, disability, class. It also describes medical, surgical and mental health services sought by transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people. In terms of medical care, it can range from routine preventive health care to hormone replacement, surgery or other interventions and mental health services.

While Gender Affirming Care is most often associated with the medical field, in actuality it is a responsibility that all institutions should undertake. Creating an inclusive environment is the first step towards ensuring gender affirming care. This environment at minimum should include gender inclusive forms, using correct pronouns and care providers and staff who understand gender diversity.

For more information, support networks and resources:

Trans Care BC - supports the delivery of equitable and accessible care, surgical planning, and peer and community support for trans people across the province.

Pride @ KPU – provides information and resources to 2SLGBTQ+ students, employees and allies at KPU

Services and Resources

There may be a number of concerns or questions you have about your sexual health, and the best source of information will come from speaking with your health care provider. In the meantime, we have compiled a list of services and resources that you can access both on and off campus related to sexual health.

  • KPU does not have an on-campus health clinic, so if you are looking to get tested for STIs or pregnancy, get birth control, or access any other type of in-person service, you'll need to visit a youth clinic or walk-in clinic in your area. Here are a few options:

    • Health Link BC (811): 8-1-1 is a FREE provincial health information resource. By calling 8-1-1, you can speak to a health service navigator, who can help you find health information and services or connect you directly with a registered nurse.
    • Get Checked Online, an easy way to test for STIs in BC without visiting a health care provider. Create a lab form by completing the online assessment, and bring it to a participating lab to provide your sample for testing. You get your results online or by phone. This is a free service.
    • Find a STI Clinic: Visit this website and find the closest STI clinic near you.
    • Use Medimap to find a walk-in clinic in your area.
    • You can also visit a youth clinic if you are under 21 years of age. Youth clinics provide free, confidential, drop-in sexual health services relating to birth control, pregnancy testing and options counselling, HIV and STI testing and treatment, Pap tests, and more. Click here to explore youth clinics in Vancouver Coast Health and click here to explore youth clinics in Fraser Health.

  • There are also some supports you can access on-campus:

    • KPU Student Health Promotion can provide you with additional information about sexual health topics and direct you to additional supports that you can access in your community. We are not health care providers and only provide education. If you'd like to learn more, please email studenthealth@kpu.ca
    • The KPU Peer Wellness Program, which is completely led by KPU students, often host fun social events around positive health and wellbeing. Future events will be focused on sexual health and you can also ask the Peer Team any questions you may have. Visit us on Instagram or on our website
    • The Student Right and Responsibilities Office (SRRO) administers KPU's Policy SR14 Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy and procedures and provides guidance about how members of the University community will respond to a disclosure, complaint and/or report and where to report an incident of sexual violence and misconduct. We help you navigate KPU's support and resources and community referrals.

  • If you'd just like to learn more about sexual health on your own, there are a lot of great resources online that you can access such as: