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Sexuality and Sexual Health
Sex seems to be everywhere these days, especially in the media-but what does that have to do with us? Many students will face choices regarding their sexual health while at college. Whether you choose to be sexually active or not, your sexuality is an important part of who you are. Sexual health isn’t just about avoiding diseases- it’s about knowing what your sexuality is all about and deciding what’s best for you.
Quick Facts:
- All people are sexual beings. Our sexuality includes not just our biological sex, but our gender identities, our sexual orientation, and our values about life, love, and the people in our lives.
- By the age of 20, 20% of men and 24% of women have not had sexual intercourse. So even if it seems like “everyone is doing it”, that’s not necessarily so.
- Up to 75% of sexually active men and women will get a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) of some kind, and half of all new STI infections occur in people ages 15-24.
What You Can Do:
- Ask yourself what your values are regarding sexuality and sexual relationships. If you have a sense of what you expect in a relationship and what your personal boundaries are, you can communicate these things more effectively with your partner.
- If you choose to be sexually active, use strategies to make your activities safer. Remember that latex condoms are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy and most STIs if used correctly and used every time- but some STIs, such as HPV and Herpes, can still be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact even when a condom is used.
- Don’t assume that certain partners are “safe” just because they look healthy. Many STIs, including HIV, show no symptoms.
- Ask your healthcare provider about STI testing and contraceptive methods. You can access some tests at Student Health Services- and you can get condoms there as well!
Need more information? Check out these helpful resources:
Student Health Services
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Information on the HPV Vaccine)
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