Our Mission
To promote optimal sexual health for all British Columbians by supporting reproductive choice, reducing unplanned pregnancy and providing quality education, information and clinical services.
Our Vision
Options for Sexual Health envisions a society that celebrates healthy sexuality, its diversity of expression, and a positive sexual self-image for individuals throughout life.
Position Statements
Studies Involving Human Subjects
CFSH Position Statement - Emergency Contraceptive Pills
Human Rights
OPT is committed to providing a work environment that promotes respect for the human rights and personal dignity of all clients, staff, employees, physicians, volunteers, and board members.
Quality Improvement
Options for Sexual Health is committed to a philosophy of quality improvement throughout our organization, where broad consultation and involvement of key stakeholders helps to continually improve all of our processes.
Abstinence
Whereas the definition of abstinence depends on individual, cultural and family values, OPT programs do not promote any specific expression of intimacy, but rather provide the information and communication, negotiation and decision-making skills necessary for individuals to understand the implications of their actions. Information disseminated in the clinical setting does include abstinence among the other reproductive choices available.
Reproductive Choice
OPT supports reproductive choice for all British Columbians, including abstinence, pregnancy, abortion, and the prevention of disease and unwanted pregnancy.
Studies Involving Human Subjects
All studies in collaboration with OPT involving human subjects shall be approved by a Clinical Research Ethics Committee of an accredited university or affiliated facility in Canada.
Physicians-in-Training
The policy of OPT is that all physicians working in OPT clinics must uphold the standards of practice and billing as set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons in BC and the Medical Services Commission. Residents, interns, and medical students must be under the direct supervision of a physician licensed to practice medicine in British Columbia.
Emergency Contraception
OPT supports the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) that emergency contraception be available without a physician's prescription, and urges its implementation.
Clinic Chaperone
OPT considers the presence of a chaperone whenever possible to be the optimum practice for a physical examination involving intimate areas, including breast and pelvic examinations, in every clinic affiliated with OPT. It is recognized, however, that some practical considerations may influence its universal application. These include limitations on the availability of staff, volunteers or a trusted companion of the client.
Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation is the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons (adapted from UNICEF/WHO definition).
Options for Sexual Health supports a woman's right to have control over her body, including reproductive choice, based on accurate and comprehensive information. OPT endorses the Canadian legislation outlawing the practice of female genital mutilation in Canada and identifying the practice of FGM as a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. OPT recognizes that despite the condemnation of FGM practice by the World Health Organization, the UN, and various international treaties, the procedure continues to be carried out throughout the world. In this regard, we believe that:
- British Columbians who have had this procedure performed in the past must be treated with sensitivity, compassion, and without judgement;
- British Columbians who present requesting this procedure must not be referred to another person and will be given clear information about the legal prohibition and personal risks associated with it;
- Women and their loved ones who have been affected by FGM must be referred to appropriate counselling.
Prenatal Sex Determination
Definition of Prenatal Sex Determination
Prenatal Sex Determination is the attempt, using available medical technologies, to identify and confirm the sex of a fetus.
Position Statement
Through the provision of appropriate information and referral, OPT will facilitate a woman's decision to determine the sex of her fetus if she is concerned about the possibility of a sex-linked disorder. OPT regards prenatal sex determination for any other reason to be a wasteful misuse of health system resources and will not provide referrals on that basis. Appropriate information includes:
- an assessment of the characteristics and reliability of various medical technologies and non-medical methods ("old wives tales") used to determine the sex of the fetus
- concern about the practice of preferential selection of babies of one sex because it is based on prejudicial views of the value of males and females, and an inadequate understanding of the distinction between biological sex and gender identity.
HPV Vaccination
OPT endorses the use of an HPV vaccine as a public health measure to reduce the risks associated with the Human Papilloma Virus.
In this regard, OPT concurs with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization's statement on HPV vaccination and the Canadian Consensus guidelines on HPV
We strongly urge educators, public health organizations and other health care providers to link the HPV vaccination program to age-appropriate, comprehensive sexual health education and to other prevention programs (including currently-recommended screening programs such as PAP screening).
OPT supports the need for further research regarding the HPV vaccine in areas including, but not limited to:
- the use of the vaccine on males
- the long term benefits and effects of the vaccination program
- a tracking program for those children who are eligible to receive the vaccine but who are not immunized
- the use of the vaccine for hard to reach populations, including those who would not receive the vaccine through the school system.
CFSH Position Statement - Emergency Contraceptive Pills
The Canadian Federation for Sexual Health (CFSH) supports a woman's right to access emergency contraception, including emergency contraceptive pills. Emergency contraceptive pills have proven to be a simple, safe, and effective option to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraceptive pills are more effective the earlier they are taken, thus CFSH supports universal, timely, and affordable access without barriers or intervention.
CFSH promotes obtaining ECP in advance of need. Therefore, CFSH supports the change of status of emergency contraceptive pills, specifically Plan B, to ‘Off-schedule', available at any retail outlet, in order to improve accessibility. CFSH continues to support increased public awareness and education of emergency contraception, including Plan B, in the discussion of the full ranges of contraceptives available.
