Debunking The Myths - The Science Behind Our Sexual Health

Debunking The Myths - The Science Behind Our Sexual Health Debunking the Myths: The Science Behind Our Sexual Health, an SFI-funded sexual health programme

Over the past week, we have delved into the topic of Sexual Justice and what it really means – The right to make informe...
05/09/2025

Over the past week, we have delved into the topic of Sexual Justice and what it really means – The right to make informed choices about our bodies, the importance of access to care, the need for fairness and equity in sexual and reproductive health for everyone.

Through initiatives like Debunking the Myths, we’re working to ensure that young people have access to accurate, evidence-based information delivered by a team of healthcare professionals. Because misinformation is a barrier too—and one we can break down together.

What can we do?

✅Continue to create safe and open spaces for judgement-free conversations about sexual health
✅Challenge stigma and misinformation in you everyday life
✅ Support inclusive, expert-led sexual health education.
✅Listen to LGBTQ+ youth, non-Irish communities, neurodiverse individuals, those with disabilities, migrants, and others whose voices are too often excluded—because their lived experiences are essential to shaping equitable, effective policies and support systems.

Through our workshops, over 17,000 students nationwide have been able to access accurate, stigma-free information, empowering them to make informed choices about their health.

Find out more: www.debunkingthemyths.ie

05/09/2025

Cá féidir liom tástáil STI a fháil in Éirinn?

Ba cheart duit tástáil STI a fháil sna cásanna seo a leanas:
▪️Tá aon chomharthaí STI ort
▪️Tá STI ar do pháirtí gnéis
▪️Tá páirtí gnéis nua agat
▪️Tá breis agus páirtí gnéis amháin agat

Tástáil saor in aisce STI a ordú chuig d’áit chónaithe

Má tá tú níos sine ná 17 mbliana d’aois agus má chónaíonn tú in Éirinn, is féidir leat tástáil saor in aisce STI a ordú ar líne is féidir leat a dhéanamh sa bhaile. Mura mbíonn aon phacaí eile ar fáil lena n-ordú, bain triail eile as an mhaidin dar gcionn. Seolfar do phaca tástála STI chugat i gclúdach litreach bán ar féidir é a chur trí bhoscaí litreach.

Conas tástáil saor in aisce STI a dhéanamh

Tiocfaidh tú ar threoracha ar conas an paca tástála STI a úsáid agus cuirfear clúdach litreach faoi stampa is seoladh ar fáil le do phaca tástála a rinne tú a sheoladh ar ais chuig an tsaotharlann. Cuirfear do thorthaí in iúl duit ar an nguthán nó trí theachtaireacht téacs laistigh de 72 uair an chloig tar éis gur bhain na samplaí an tsaotharlann amach

05/09/2025

Did you know you can order a free home STI testing kit from SH24.ie ?

In this video, Dr Eoghan De Barra, Infectious Disease Specialist, shows what the kit contains and what it tests for.

Not too long ago, getting tested for STIs could mean long waiting times, limited clinic hours, or expensive private options — making sexual health care harder to access for many.

In Ireland, we’ve seen big steps forward including the introduction of the Free home STI testing kits available through the HSE.

Only in 2024, 126,090 kits were ordered and dispatched!

This service enables quick diagnosis, referral and intervention for those who receive positive test results, providing peace of mind and making it easier for people to be proactive about their sexual health.

05/09/2025

An bhfuil frithghiniúint saor inaisce in Éirinn?

Is féidir leat frithghiniúint saor in aisce a fháil sna cásanna seo a leanas:
Is bean nó duine thú a bhfuil broinn agat
Tá tú idir 17 agus 35 bliain d’aois
Tá cónaí in Éirinn ort

Cén costais frithghiniúna atá saor in aisce do dhaoine idir 17 agus 35 bliain d’aois?

Aon choinní DG faoi do roghanna frithghiniúna
Oidis frithghiniúna ó do dhochtúir (ag cógaslanna rannpháirteacha)
Frithghiniúint éigeandála (piolla na maidine dár gcionn)
Frithghiniúint fhadghníomhach iniompaithe (LARCs) a fheistiú, a bhaint agus coinní seiceála dóibh
Saghsanna eile frithghiniúna, cosúil le hinstealltaí frithghiniúnacha, ionchlannáin, córas ionútarach (IUS) léas sionútarach (IUD), an paiste rithghiniúnach agus fáinne frithghiniúnach
Oidis do chomh-fhrithghiniúint ó bhéal (an piolla laethúil)
Conas a fhaighim frithghiniúint saor in aisce má táim idir 17 agus 35 bliain d’aois?
Ní theastaíonn cárta leighis uait.

Teastaíonn uait coinne a chur in áirithe le DG nó dochtúir chun plé a dhéanamh ar d’fhrithghiniúint. Beidh an choinne seo saor in aisce. Iarrfaidh an DG ort na rudaí seo a leanas a thabhairt:

Uimhir PSP
Ainm
Dáta breithe
Seoladh

Úsáidfidh do DG an t-eolas seo leis an gcógaslann a chur ar an eolas gan táille a ghearradh ort do d’oideas frithghiniúna saor in aisce.

Ireland’s history with contraception has been shaped by decades of legal and cultural restrictions, from outright bans i...
05/09/2025

Ireland’s history with contraception has been shaped by decades of legal and cultural restrictions, from outright bans in the 1930s to gradual reforms in the 1980s and 1990s.
Today, access has improved significantly. The Free Contraception Scheme now covers people aged 17 to 35, offering a wide range of options—like pills, coils, patches, and emergency contraception—free through GPs and pharmacies.

But access is more than availability. If contraception is hard to get, or surrounded by stigma or misinformation, it’s not truly accessible. That’s why Debunking the Myths, led by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin , works with schools to provide expert-led, evidence-based sexual health education—empowering teens to make informed, confident decisions.

🔗 Find more info on contraception here: https://debunkingthemyths.ie/resources/contraception-prophylaxis/
Research Ireland

04/09/2025

In a world where social media is the go-to source for adolescents, clinicians play a crucial role in cutting through misinformation. Platforms may raise awareness, but they may also perpetuate myths or share very confusing information, which can then create anxiety. Trusted healthcare professionals provide clarity, context, and personalised guidance.

"Social media can be a bridge but also a barrier – and it is up to us as healthcare professionals to guide young people with empathy and advise" Dr S***a O'Brien, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin

That’s why Debunking the Myths brings experts directly to teens—where real questions meet real answers.

Meet our team of experts: www.debunkingthemyths,ie/about

Research Ireland Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

04/09/2025

Who do you trust for answers about sexual health?
In a world where social media or generative AI are often the first stop for advice, it’s more important than ever to hear from actual experts.

Debunking the Myths is a sexual health education programme funded by and led by in collaboration with . We build on the RSE curriculum with expert-led workshops that give students a safe space to ask anonymous questions — and get real, evidence-based answers.
Because while the internet is full of opinions, not all of them are accurate. Let’s start the conversation and break the stigma. 💬✨

03/09/2025

🩸For many teens taboos around menstrual health can make it harder to ask questions, seek help or access the care they need.

In this video📹, Dr. S***a O’Brien, The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin , shares her thoughts on how we can reduce stigma and create safe, inclusive spaces for conversations around menstrual health — simply by starting the conversation.

When patients feel ashamed or unsure, a clinician’s willingness to talk openly and respectfully about menstrual health can make all the difference. It signals that these topics are valid, important, and safe to discuss.

At Debunking the Myths, we work with expert healthcare professionals to deliver age-appropriate, culturally sensitive education — creating environments where young people feel heard, supported, and empowered to understand their bodies.
🔗 Learn more: debunkingthemyths.ie

Research Ireland

📊 60% of girls have missed school due to period symptoms. 💸 1 in 10 have struggled to afford period products. 😔 Over hal...
03/09/2025

📊 60% of girls have missed school due to period symptoms.
💸 1 in 10 have struggled to afford period products.
😔 Over half feel embarrassed by their periods.

These numbers highlight the urgent need to address period poverty, stigma, and shame — all of which can prevent young people from seeking help, understanding their bodies, or staying engaged in school.
So, what can we do?

🔊 Create safe and open spaces for conversations about menstruation to break the stigma.
🔊 Support charities and community groups providing menstrual products to those in need.

🩸 For Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024, we teamed up with to collect donations for — supporting people facing homelessness and addiction.

Let’s continue to challenge stigma and promote menstrual equity in our communities.

03/09/2025

Here are some of the healthcare professionals who have been involved in Debunking the Myths — a programme built on evidence, expertise, and trust.

In an age where we often turn to social media for answers, it’s more important than ever to have honest conversations led by subject experts. Because while the internet is full of opinions, not all of them are accurate — and trusting random comments on Instagram isn’t the same as getting reliable, science-based information.

At Debunking the Myths, we work with medical doctors, midwives, nurses, health psychologists and science communicators, to deliver age-appropriate, culturally sensitive sexual health education that empowers young people to make informed decisions.

🔗 Meet the experts: debunkingthemyths.ie/about

03/09/2025

🗣️ “I think the challenge can often come where parents feel anxious about how much information has been given to their children…”

Dr S***a O’Brien, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at , shares an important reminder: Teens will get sexual health info — whether we guide it or not.
So let’s make sure it’s expert-led, evidence-based, and delivered in a way that’s clear and supportive.

🔗 Explore resources at www.debunkingthemyths.ie/resources

02/09/2025

In this clip, Dr S***a O’Brien, Consultant Obstetrician and Gyanecology at the shares how conversations between healthcare professionals and young patients always adapt:

💬 ‘Not all teens are the same — maturity, neurodivergence, cultural background, and family context all shape how teenagers experience sexual health conversations’

For many teens, talking about sexual health can feel scary or embarrassing– but it doesn't have to be. Creating trust, using open language and meeting them where they are makes all the difference. Understanding these differences is key to building trust and delivering care that’s respectful, relevant, and empowering.

Address

Rotunda Hospital Parnell Square
Dublin

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Debunking The Myths - The Science Behind Our Sexual Health posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category