thematic dossier
Sexually transmitted infections
Les infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST) se transmettent principalement lors des rapports sexuels. Il existe de nombreux virus ou bactéries transmissibles de cette manière.
In observance of National Sexual Health Week 2024, Santé publique France is providing several prevention tools and reminding the public of the importance of staying informed and communicating openly to help prevent situations that could harm one’s sexual health.
A website that provides answers to questions about sexuality, anatomy, sexual practices, pregnancy, STIs, and discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), consent, sexual health issues… it’s normal to have questions about sexuality, and you shouldn’t hesitate to talk about them!
To mark National Sexual Health Week 2024, Santé publique France is relaunching its national awareness campaign from May 21 to June 9, covering various sexual health topics. This campaign will support prevention efforts led by Regional Health Agencies (ARS) across France. The goal of this campaign and the tools provided is to enable the entire population, through reliable information, to make informed and responsible decisions regarding their sexual health, particularly via the website QuestionSexualite.fr.
Screening for sexually transmitted infections
The number of tests for bacterial STIs has been rising for several years.
In 2022, 2.6 million people underwent at least one reimbursed screening for Chlamydia trachomatis infection, 3.0 million for gonorrhea, and 3.1 million for syphilis1.
The Île-de-France region has a high rate of STI testing and diagnosis, with a notably higher rate of syphilis diagnosis than in other regions.
Contraception
One in three pregnancies is unplanned, and 64% of these result in an abortion2.
In 2016, 6.2% of women aged 15–49 at risk of an unplanned pregnancy used emergency contraception in the past 12 months3.
Sexual disorders
16% of women aged 18–69 experienced painful intercourse in the past 12 months; among these women, 2% experience it regularly4.
1 Public Health Bulletin on HIV and STIs. November 2023. Santé publique France.
2 Moreau, Caroline, Julie Desfrères, and Nathalie Bajos. “Circumstances of contraceptive failure and post-abortion contraceptive prescriptions: an analysis of contraceptive trajectories around abortion,” Revue française des affaires sociales, no. 1, 2011.
3 Rahib D, Lydié N; the 2016 Health Barometer Group. The use of emergency contraception in metropolitan France in 2016: prevalence and determinants. Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin. 2018.
4 Levinson S, (2008) Sexualities, living conditions, and health: difficulties with sexual function. In Bajos N, Bozon, M (eds.), Survey on Sexuality in France.
From May 21 to June 9, 2024, Santé publique France is relaunching its digital information campaign on sexuality: “Everyone has questions about sexuality, and everyone can find answers at QuestionSexualite.fr.”
The campaign has a lighthearted tone, featuring people lost in thought who blurt out their questions about sexuality aloud in unexpected everyday situations…
The campaign addresses topics such as contraception, STIs, consent, and sexual health issues.
To support healthcare professionals in their practice or assist organizations, Santé publique France offers a wide range of documents available for download or order on our website. These documents, intended for all audiences, provide practical information on all aspects of sexuality and cover a variety of topics such as reproductive health, screenings, vaccination, gender-based discrimination, STIs, and more…
Posters, brochures, and flyers will be distributed nationwide through the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) and local stakeholders during Sexual Health Week.
Aimed at the entire adult population, QuestionSexualite.fr is the go-to website for sexual health. Taking a comprehensive and positive approach to prevention, the site covers various topics such as contraception, STI prevention, sexual violence and discrimination, as well as sexual disorders.
Interactive tools are also available on the site:
The interactive questionnaire “Which birth control method is best for me?” helps women prepare for their birth control consultation and provides personalized information on contraception;
A comparison chart of different contraceptive methods allows users to sort methods based on their chosen criteria;
An interactive map is available to help you find the nearest screening center or sexual health clinic.
The QuestionSexualite.fr website complements Santé publique France’s digital ecosystem for sexual health (OnSEXprime.fr for teenagers and Sexosafe.fr for men who have sex with men).
thematic dossier
Santé publique France focuses in particular on four areas of sexual health: sexually transmitted infections, including HIV; contraception; combating discrimination; and violence.
thematic dossier
Les infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST) se transmettent principalement lors des rapports sexuels. Il existe de nombreux virus ou bactéries transmissibles de cette manière.