Year 10 Health & PE · Health and Physical Education · 12m read

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Accurate information keeps you safe and lets you make your own decisions. This topic covers reproductive health and where to get confidential help.

Learning objective: Describe sexual and reproductive health, including contraception and STI prevention, and services available.

By the end of this lesson you can:

• I can describe reproductive systems and puberty changes.
• I can explain contraception and STI prevention.
• I can identify confidential services.

Sexual health is a safety plan. Like wearing a seatbelt, sexual health relies on knowledge and planning — contraception, STI prevention and knowing where to get confidential help.

Sexual and Reproductive Health

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH:
• Puberty, menstrual cycle, fertility.

CONTRACEPTION:
• Barrier methods (condoms — also protect against STIs), hormonal methods (pill, implant, injection), IUDs, emergency contraception.

STIs:
• Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, HPV, HIV, syphilis.
• Many have no symptoms; testing is important.
• Prevention: condoms, vaccination (HPV), regular testing.

SERVICES:
• GP, family planning clinics (e.g. Sexual Health Victoria), headspace; services are confidential and young people over a certain maturity can access care.

| Topic | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Contraception | Condoms (also STI protection), pill, implant, IUD |
| STIs | Chlamydia (often no symptoms), gonorrhoea, HPV, HIV |
| Prevention | Condoms, testing, HPV vaccine |
| Services | GP, sexual health clinics, Family Planning |
| Confidentiality | Young people can access confidential care |

Key ideas at a glance

• Accurate information: Reliable sources.
• Testing is routine: Many STIs have no symptoms.
• HPV vaccine: Prevents cancers.
• Respect and consent: Foundation.

Worked example (Medium)

Why are condoms recommended even when another contraceptive is used?

1. Contraception. Hormonal methods prevent pregnancy.
2. STIs. They do not prevent STIs; condoms do.

Answer: Condoms also reduce STI transmission.

Worked example (Medium)

Explain why STI testing matters even without symptoms.

1. Fact. Chlamydia often has no symptoms.
2. Risk. Can cause infertility if untreated.
3. Action. Regular testing.

Answer: Many STIs are silent but harmful — test regularly.

Common mistakes

• Believing STIs always show symptoms Many are asymptomatic. Fix: Recommend testing.

Practice questions

1. Which vaccine protects against a common STI linked to cancer?

   1. Flu
   2. HPV
   3. Measles
   4. Tetanus

   (1 marks)

2. Why is regular STI testing important?

   (2 marks)

3. Which method protects against both pregnancy and STIs?

   1. Pill
   2. Condom
   3. Implant
   4. IUD

   (1 marks)

4. Explain the purpose of the HPV vaccine.

   (2 marks)

Summary

• Know contraception options.
• Condoms protect against STIs.
• Confidential services exist.
• Knowledge, prevention, confidential services.