The Sexual Health Resources Directory

by Courteney Published on August 18, 2020 Updated on November 6, 2020

The Sexual Health Resources Directory is an extensive guide created to those searching for access to general information, specific clinic locations, testing, or resources. There are many national organizations, regional facilities, hotlines, and blogs available to those looking for direction, support, or treatment. With a mission to inform, educate, and empower, Priority STD‘s resource directory is here to help you find the information, resources, and assistance that you need to achieve sexual wellness.

Glossary

  1. STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS
  2. SEXUAL HEALTH PROVIDERS
  3. BLOGS & RESOURCES
  4. BIRTH CONTROL
  5. RESOURCES FOR TEENS
  6. RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
  7. RESOURCES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
  8. RESOURCES FOR LGBTQIA
  9. RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
  10. RESOURCES FOR SENIORS
  11. RESOURCES FOR WOMEN
  12. RESOURCES FOR MEN

 

State Health Departments

State Health Departments release up-to-date information such as current public health events, prevention efforts, state-level statistics, and sexual health resources. The role of these government organizations is to encourage the health of the public by providing avenues for wellness education and healthcare. The following is a list of Health Departments by state to help you get the information you need to stay informed.

National

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Sexual Health
    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a government health agency under the direction of the US Department of Health and Human Services. As a leader in national health security, the CDC provides data, statistics, reports and alerts for a substantial library of diseases, including STD/STIs.
  • World Health Organization (WHO) – Sexual Health
    • Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Health Organization operates as a part of the United Nations as an international movement towards a healthier world.

Regional

Sexual Health Providers

There are a multitude of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that advocate for sexual health across the nation by providing health services, spreading awareness through social media or generating informative articles. These NGOs are often non-profit and dedicated to the education of proper safer sex practices, access to birth control, testing services and guidance.

National

  • American Sexual Health Association (ASHA)
    • The American Health Association is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1914 to advocate for, educate and inform the population on safer sex practices.
  • National Coalition for Sexual Health (NCSH) 
    • The National Coalition for Sexual Health is a non-profit organization that sparks open dialogues on sexual health, awareness and acceptance by collaborating with other national health associations, conducting media outreach and providing educational resources.
  • SIECUS
    • SIECUS is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to sharing accurate and positive information regarding sexuality with both young people and adults. Their mission is to encourage sex education and stand-up for sexual and reproductive health.

Sexual Health Blogs and Educational Resources

Sexual health blogs and educational resources extend all types of explanatory content, covering topics such as safer sex practices, sexuality and STD prevention. These blogs often have a relaxed, sex-positive voice and may suggest sources for sexual health services such as testing, contraception and STD prevention resources.

  • Five Action Steps to Good Sexual Health
    • Five Action Steps to Good Sexual Health offers tips, advice and resources for better sexual health through an interactive, digital experience.
  • The STI Project – Blog
    • The STI Project offers content such as articles, interviews and podcasts covering sexual health topics ranging from a technical to a more social perspective.
  • Teen Source
    • Teen Source is an online resource platform for teens and young adults. Their blog provides fact sheets, Q&As, real-life stories and other articles focusing on best sex practices, contraception and sexuality.
  • BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health
    • BMJ is a frequently cited medical knowledge journal that publishes educational periodicals, blogs and news for the purpose of promoting information based on science.
  • Office of Women’s Health (OWH)  – Blog
    • The Office of Women’s Health blog provides a wide range of blogs, fact sheets and infographics that explore concepts such as reproductive health and general wellness.
  • Power to Decide
    • Power to Decide is a non-profit, online resource with a mission to ensure that all young adults have the education and resources they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive and sexual health.
  • Beforeplay.org
    • Beforeplay.org represents the alliance of the state of Colorado and Michigan, and their efforts to promote sexual and reproductive health. This organization is a collaboration between both public and private institutions that offers articles reviewing birth control, STDs, pregnancy and sexuality.

Birth Control Access and Information

Whether you are searching for more information, alternative methods or easy access to birth control, there are a variety of sources available to help. Educating yourself on the different birth control options available will help you take charge of your sexual health and help you plan for the future.

Birth Control Access

  • Reproductive Health Access Project 
    • Reproductive Access Project is a non-profit organization that collaborates with healthcare professionals to provide patients across the nation with birth control access, miscarriage and abortion services through their primary healthcare provider.
  • Family PACT
    • Family PACT is a Californian organization that provides free family planning services, including contraception, to low-income California residents.
  • OHIV.org
    • OHIV.org is an Ohio HIV/STI hotline that provides testing, resources, and sexual health advice over the phone and through live chat. This online resource also provides free access to condoms for Ohio residents.
  • Iknowmine.org 
    • Iknowmine.org is an organization, created by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, to give teens and emerging young adults the tools to take control of their sexual health. Free condom delivery to Alaskan residents is one of their various efforts.

Birth Control Information

  • Bedsider
    • Bedsider is an online birth control resource center for women that provides medically-informed direction on access to and information on contraceptives.
  • Office on Women’s Health – Birth Control Methods 
    • The Office of Women’s Health describes the purpose of birth control, answers common questions, and provides additional resources on the types of contraceptive methods available.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Contraception 
    • The CDC supplies a guide that reviews both hormonal and non-hormonal methods of birth control, their effectiveness, various infographics, and external resources for additional information and access.
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Birth Control 
    • The Food and Drug Administration is a government organization tasked with the quality and screening of products such as food and cosmetics. This administration also provides detailed information on FDA-approved birth control methods.

Prophylaxis Access and Information

Access to and information regarding prophylaxis can be found through both government and non-government funded programs and organizations. Whether you are looking for preventative care or treatment for a pre-existing condition, the following resources provide information on prophylaxis methods and access.

Sexual Health Resources for Teens

As developing individuals, teens are expected to be curious about their sexuality and sexual health. According to the CDC, sexually active young adults between the age of 15 and 19 experience a higher risk of contracting STDs than adults. Because of this, it is important to provide teens with the information and resources that they need to make informed decisions and practice safer sex.

  • Adolescent Health Initiative (AHI) – Sexual Health
    • The Adolescent Health Initiative is a national organization that began as a small group of health care professionals at Michigan Medical. Their mission is to help adolescents across the nation acquire proper access to and information on general health, including sexual health.
  • Power to Decide – Teen Talk 
    • The non-profit organization Power to Decide dedicates a section of their online resources to teen-centered blogs, Q&As, and videos that cover sexual health and relationships.
  • Scarleteen
    • Scarleteen is an independent organization offering volunteer opportunities, forums, referral services, and sexual health articles for teens and young adults.
  • Sex, Etc.
    • Sex, Etc. is a division of Answer, a national organization focused on providing training to medical professionals and guidance to teens. Sex, Etc. has a light-hearted tone with its fun-loving quizzes, videos, and informative articles on sexuality and sexual health.

Sexual Health Resources for Parents

Talking your child about sex, relationships and STDs is important to their sexual health, social development and general wellbeing. Initiating these conversations about safer sex practices can have positive benefits for your child. Many online sources provide guidance to parents on how to have these open, supportive discussions with their children.

  • ASHA – Parents
    • ASHA delves into what it means to be an approachable parental figure in regards to discussions on sex, intimacy and sexuality. ASHA’s guide walks parents through different tips for having successful conversations about sex with their teen.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Parent and Guardian Resources
    • The CDC provides a list of resources for parents looking to educate their children on sexual health. The CDC calls attention to the long-term benefits of parents discussing sex, relationships and STD prevention with their children.
  • Center for Young Women’s Health – Parents
    • The Center for Young Women’s Health (CYWH) is a program regulated by the Boston Children’s Hospital to provide credible information on overall health to young women, primarily around the ages of 13 to 22.
  • Young Men’s Health – Parents
    • Young Men’s Health, inspired by the Center for Young Women’s Health, is a program operated by the Boston Children’s Hospital whose purpose is to deliver accurate health information to young men looking to take charge of their health.

Sexual Health Resources for College Students

American College Health Association – Sexual Health/STIs

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – College Health and Safety

Power to Decide – Campus Sexual Health

Guttmacher Institute

Sexual Health Resources for LGBTQIA

GSA Network 

Bagly

National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center 

The Trevor Project 

Sexual Health Resources for Survivors of Sexual Violence

As many cases are unreported, educating men and women on consent and the support systems available to them plays an integral part in reducing sexual violence. National organizations such as RAINN and NSVRC offer hotlines, resources and support networks to prevent sexual violence, aid survivors and support their loved ones.

  • National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
    • The National Sexual Violence Resource Center is an organization founded by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) to assist in providing information and resources on sexual violence. By working with the media and encouraging volunteer work and accurate statistics, NSVRC works to reduce sexual violence through education and awareness.
  • Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
    • The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the largest US organization against sexual violence. RAINN provides a sexual violence hotline for survivors and their loved ones and offers information, consultations and guidance on sexual assault.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Sexual Violence 
    • The CDC covers the topic of sexual violence, statistics and the preventative measures that can be taken to decrease the rate of cases in the US.
  • Office on Women’s Health – Relationship and Safety
    • The Office on Women’s Health highlights the importance of recognizing the trauma that is caused by the various forms of domestic and/or intimate partner violence by providing guides, resources and support options for those in need.

Regional

Sexual Health Resources for Seniors

Sexual Health Resources for Women

 

Sexual Health Resources for Men