Sexual health

Facts about the body, sex and sexual health can be found in Swedish public information material, and some of the health care offered in this area is also free of charge. 

What is sexual health?

Sexual health is partly about protecting oneself to prevent involuntary pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, and partly about everyone’s right to define their own sexuality and exercise it without the risk of discrimination, coercion or violence. 

Your sexual health and desire can vary throughout your life and its different phases. Factors that can affect sexual health include stress, depression and diseases. Questions or concerns about sexual health can relate to:  

• sexually transmitted infections  
• concerns about gender identity or sexual orientation  
• relationships  
• risk-taking/unsafe behaviour in sexual contacts  
• pregnancy/contraception  

Sexual activity increases for many people when they start to study. Living alone and socialising with other students often provides opportunities for a freer sexual life. One factor that can affect sexual health is that risk-taking can increase, especially in combination with alcohol and drugs, which can mean that you do things that you regret or forget to protect yourself. Some may also feel that it is expected of them to party and have different sexual contacts.   

Don’t be afraid to seek professional help if you need it, and remember that your health is most important – both your physical and your mental health. Everyone who works with sexual and reproductive health in Sweden has a duty of confidentiality. 

What help can you get? 

In Sweden, everyone can get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). That includes HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and hepatitis and it is always free of charge. This is also applicable if you come from another country or if your stay in Sweden is of a short duration. You can also get help with contraceptive advice, pregnancy tests and support in other sexual related inquiries. '

Where can you seek help?  

• On the 1177.se health care guide website, you can find information about contraception and information on how to contact the healthcare service about your concerns and your sexual health. 
• If you are under 23 years old (in some cases under 25 years old), the Youth Guidance Centre can answer questions about your body, sex and relationships, and it also offers STI and pregnancy tests.
• If you are over 23 years old, there are often clinics that offer testing, advice and counselling. Contact 1177 for information about clinics near you. 
• RFSL offers testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
• You can also turn to the student health service for advice and guidance on where to seek help.

Questions about gender identity

If you have questions or concerns about trans, gender identity or gender affirming care, you can turn to the Transformering organisation. Transformering is a part of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights (RFSL) and RFSL Ungdom (RFSL Youth), which among other things work with issues of gender identity.

What is the sexual consent law?  

In 2018, new legislation on sexual offences was introduced. The basic principle of the law is that sex should be voluntary, and if it is not voluntary, it is illegal. It is forbidden to have sex with a person who does not explicitly say yes or actively show that they want to participate, for example through their body language.

If there have been threats or violence, or if a person is in a particularly vulnerable situation, for example because of too much alcohol or because the person is in a position of dependence, sex is never considered voluntary under the law, even if the person says “yes”. 

If you have been subjected to, or subjected someone else, to any of the above 

If you have been subjected to or subjected someone else to something that doesn’t feel good, you can turn to your student health service, a youth guidance centre, another sexual health clinic or your healthcare centre for support about what you have experienced or advice on how to proceed. It can often help to talk to someone you trust.  

If you have been subjected to rape, other sexual abuse or sexual harassment, you have been the victim of a crime and you can report it to the police. This can feel difficult, so you may want to get help from someone close to you or turn to one of the above-mentioned services for support.