Sexual Health

The Center for Health Education & Wellness offers educational presentations focused on relationship and sexual violence prevention topics, including healthy relationships and consent through the RSVP Initiative. These sessions provide evidence-based information, interactive skill-building opportunities, and supportive resources to help students make informed decisions and contribute to a safer campus community.

The World Health Organization defines sexual health as “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity.” Sexual health involves more than physical topics like contraception and sexual transmitted infections (STIs). It also includes consent, healthy relationships, preventing relationship and sexual violence, and making informed decisions.

Contraception

Contraception (sometimes referred to as birth control), is something used to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Some methods of contraception also prevent sexually transmitted infections (internal and external condoms). Hormonal methods can treat various syndromes or disorders, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). There are a variety of methods to choose from.

Which Contraception Method to Choose

Choosing a method of contraception depends mostly on individual preferences. What’s right for one person may not work for another. More importantly, what works now may not be appropriate later, as relationships, goals, and lifestyles change.

Understanding how effective these different methods are at preventing pregnancy is important, too. Perfect use describes how effective the method is at preventing pregnancy if it is used perfectly (consistently and correctly). Typical use describes how effective the method is based on how people typically use the method. Typical use is a more accurate statistic, because it accounts for human error and product malfunctions, such as forgetting to take a birth control pill or using an expired condom.

Deciding which method to use can be a confusing process, but it doesn’t have to be. You can make an appointment with the Women’s Clinic at the Student Health Center or ask a medical professional of your choice to discuss your options.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections or diseases (STIs or STDs) are infections that are passed from one person to another during sexual contact (oral, vaginal, and anal sex). There are various kinds of STIs. Bacterial STIs are caused by bacteria. The most common bacterial STIs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Viral STIs are caused by a virus. The most common viral STIs are herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Parasites cause parasitic STIs. The most common parasitic STIs are trichomoniasis, pubic lice (crabs), and scabies. STIs are common among young adults aged 24 and younger, with people ages 15-24 making up half of all new STIs in the United States.

Preventing STIs

The risk of STI transmission can be reduced by having sexual health conversations with partners, disclosing an active STI to partners, and using barriers correctly every time during sexual activity. Barriers include male condoms (external condoms), female condoms (internal condoms), and dental dams. Other preventative measures include abstinence, vaccinations for certain STIs, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). 

These barriers can be obtained for free from the Safer Sex and Safety Wall at the Center for Health Education & Wellness office, located on the second floor of the Student Health Building.

Treating STIs

How often individuals should get tested for STIs depends on their sexual activity, but it is generally recommended that sexually active individuals get tested at least once a year. Many STIs do not have symptoms or have symptoms that are similar to other health issues, which is why routine testing is important. Many young adults will have an STI and not realize it. For example, 50-75% of individuals with chlamydia have no symptoms. 

The only way to know whether or not someone has an STI is to get tested. The Student Health Center provides STI testing. 

All STIs can be treated. Bacterial STIs like chlamydia are treated with antibiotics. Viral STIs cannot be cured, but antiviral medications can be used to manage symptoms. Parasitic STIs like tricomoniasis can be treated using antibiotics or other modalities. It is important to get tested and treated for STIs to avoid more serious health issues. Only a healthcare provider can test for STIs and prescribe any necessary treatment. If you have questions about STI prevention, testing, or treatment, talk to your medical provider. 

Information adapted from:
American Sexual Health Association Creating a Healthy Nation
CDC.gov
Women’s Health.gov