Throughout our lives, we are involved in many different kinds of relationships. We have friendships, romantic relationships, work- and school-related connections, families—just to name a few. Each of these relationships has the potential to enrich our lives by adding to our sense of self-worth, enjoyment, and personal growth. These are healthy relationships.
On the other hand, there are situations where we may find ourselves feeling uncomfortable. It can be difficult to realize that a friend, colleague, or family member is not treating us with the respect we deserve. This can be even more complicated when it comes to a romantic relationship.
In a healthy relationship, you do not feel unsafe or manipulated into doing things you do not want to do (including having sex). You know that the other person treats you with respect and listens to what you have to say. There is trust and support.
An unhealthy relationship looks very different. Sometimes it is obvious—the other person may be physically abusive or bad-tempered. Other times, it can be much more subtle. If your boyfriend constantly criticizes or ridicules you, it is time to break up. If you feel that your boyfriend is controlling your money, isolating you from friends, or ignoring your boundaries regarding your body, it may be difficult, but it is time to move on.
We all want to be happy in our relationships. When it comes to romantic or sexual relationships, many of us also face pressure from family and friends. Often, a friend or family member may tell you that “it’s not that bad” or encourage you to accept mistreatment in order to “keep” your partner. They may make you feel that you will be alone or that this behavior is normal in relationships. This is simply not true.
Relationships can be healthy and enriching, but they can also be miserable experiences.
Understanding relationships better can help you make decisions that are right for you. Sometimes, you need an objective person to listen and, if necessary, offer advice. At Free Women’s Clinic, we can connect you with counselors who will listen and speak with you.
There is a lot of information out there about sex and relationships, and often it can be confusing. Your sexuality affects who you are and how you relate to the world. It is much more than the physical act of having sex.
It also includes:
- Your biological sex
- How you relate to the opposite sex
- Your body image
- Your values and ideas about love and relationships
- And more
Sex can be part of a healthy relationship, but having sex does not mean you have a relationship. It’s normal to have questions about sex and sexuality. And the good news is, the more you know about it, the better you’ll be able to take care of yourself physically and emotionally.
If you have more questions or concerns about your sexual health, we can help. We at Options for Pregnancy can connect you with the information and resources that you need.
Each year in the U.S., over 30 million men and women contract an STD, or Sexually Transmitted Disease (also called Sexually Transmitted Infections or STIs). STD testing is important.
Most of the time, these sexually transmitted diseases in women and men are left undetected, as patients do not submit to testing for STDs.
If you have been experiencing any of the sexually transmitted disease symptoms below, contact us to find the nearest free help.
STD’s & Pregnancy
When considering your pregnancy options, it is important to know if you have an STD.
Because abortion is invasive, an STD can spread into your reproductive organs and cause permanent damage. In order to protect your reproductive health for the future, Network Medical tests for and treats the two most common STDs: Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.
Women who have an untreated STD are up to 25% more likely to develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) following an abortion procedure. So, it is important to be tested for STDs prior to making any decisions about the outcome of your pregnancy.
Citation: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention