Sexuality and the feelings connected to it are central parts of most people's lives regardless of gender or age, whether they live as a single person or in a relationship. Sexuality free from prejudice, discrimination, coercion or violence is healthy. Only you decide if, when, how and with whom you want to have sex.
Sexual health is an important prerequisite for people's health and well-being. Sex should feel good and safe, and no one should have to be exposed to something they have not consented to. Sex should be voluntary. If you want to know more about what consent in sex is, you can watch the film Tea and Consent. The film is made by FATTA, which is a non-profit membership association - for consent and against sexual violence. The film is 3 minutes short.
At Youmos website you will find information about sexuality and relationships. You can also read about contraception and and how to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections.
People have different different desire for sex. Lust can also be affected, both positively and negatively, by events in one's life. The video from RFSU is in English with Swedish subtitle. The video is 3,5 minutes long.
The Student Health Service works with health promotion and prevention to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. All our services are free of charge and we have a professional obligation of confidentiality.
If you are a student, regardless of gender or sexual identity, you are welcome to contact us. Student Health Service is LGBTQI-certified. What we can offer:
Are you experiencing sex that does not make you feel good? Do you have pain during sex? Do you use sex to numb anxiety? Do you have sex for payment? Or do you feel that you have lost control of your sexuality, perhaps anxious about your thoughts and actions, or afraid of hurting yourself or others? You are welcome to contact Student Health Service for support and advice.
If you feel that you have lost control of your sexuality, contact PrevenTell, a national helpline.
Sexually transmitted infections (STI), or sexually transmitted diseases as they are often called, are infections that are transmitted through the genitals, pharynx and rectum. Some, such as HIV or syphilis, are also transmitted through the bloodstream. The most common way to transmit a venereal disease is if you have vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom or femidom. Some sexually transmitted infections can also be caught if you rub genitals against each other or have oral sex. Most sexually transmitted infections do not cause any symptoms at all.
If you have had unprotected sex, the only way to know for sure that you do not have sexually transmitted infection is to take a test. It is also possible to transmit infections without knowing it. Certain sexually transmitted infections are included in the Swedish Communicable Diseases Act (Smittskyddslagen) and you must be tested if you suspect that you have any of them.
At drop-in to the nurse at Student Health Service you can get free testing of sexual transmitted infections and get free condoms. The Student Health Service have a professional obligation of confidentiality. We do not prescribe any contraceptives. In order for you to get help in finding the right contraceptive, you can contact a midwife, a local healt care-center, a gynecological clinic or youth clinic. More information is available on 1177, please note the information is only in Swedish.
Selling sex means that you receive some form of financial or other payment for carrying out a sexual act. In Sweden this is not illegal. Buying sex for payment, on the other hand, is illegal under Swedish law. This applies to all types of sex and whether payment is in the form of cash, objects or activities.
If you have, regardless of gender or sexual identity, experience of selling sex or using sex to injure yourself, please contact Mikamottagning in Umeå, free of charge for support and counselling. This clinic has a duty of confidentiality and you may remain anonymous. If you have experience of sugar dating, have sold movies or pictures feel free to contact Mikamottagning.
If you have purchased sex and feel bad about it or if you want to stop buying sex, you can contact the KAST-clinic in Umeå. KAST stands for "Buyers of sexual services" and provides support for people who want to stop buying sex. KAST-clinic is confidential and offers advice and individual counselling. Contact is free of charge and you may remain anonymous.
If you feel that you have problematic sexual behaviour in some way, if you are caught up in porn surfing or sex addiction, you can turn to the KAST-clinic. Everyone, regardless of gender or sexual identity, is welcome.
Abuse in close relationships can for example be physical violence, mental violence or sexual violence - rape or other forced sexual acts, alternatively sexual acts to which the victim does not dare to say no are considered sexual violence. f you are exposed to violence in intimate relationships, prostitution and/or human trafficking for sexual purposes, you can contact the reception for victims of violence, women's freedom for support and help. Call 020-410 420 (which is not visible on the phone bill) or email kvinnofrid@umea.se, and they will contact you as soon as they have the opportunity. You can be anonymous.
No one is entitled to have sex with you if you do not want to. If someone has committed sexual acts against your will, this is a crime, and if it has happened to you, you are entitled to receive support and help to process what has happened. It is never your fault. Everyone, regardless of gender, can be exposed to sexual violence. Even if the abuse happened a long time ago you may need, and are entitled to, support. Unwelcome sexual comments or offensive jokes are also unacceptable. The victim decides where the line goes as to what is okay or not.
At Umeå University, we have zero tolerance of discrimination, harassment or other abusive treatment. Criminal acts are investigated by the police, however the university is also responsible for investigating violations and putting a stop to unwanted behaviour. If you feel exposed or harassed at the university and want to know how you can get support and guidance, read more on the Umeå University website "Violation, harassment or sexual harassment" or contact the Student Health Service for support and advice.
LGBTQI people is a collective term that includes gay and bisexuals, transgender people, queer people and people with intersex variation. You should be allowed to be who you are. A good study environment free from discrimination is an important prerequisite for your learning and for you to be able to realise your potential and achieve good results.
The Student Health Service at the university is LGBTQI-certified and you are welcome to contact us for support or advice.
There are organizations that work with LGBTQI issues, for example RFSL (The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights), RFSL in Umeå, Sweden's united HBTQIA + students (SFQ). Through them, you can for example, get in touch with other LGBTQI people, take part in activities or get support in legal matters.
Studenthälsa.se - The national website for student health
RFSU- the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education
Spectrum Umeå - LGBTQ + Students, staff, and friends at Umeå University