If You’re Having Sex, Do It Safely

September 13, 2010 Posted in Advice, Reality, Relationships, Sex

Use these.

Well, it’s back to school time again. Along with new teachers, new classes, and new assloads of work, we’re also going to be finding ourselves in a sea of new faces – which means one thing: fresh meat.

Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, college campuses everywhere will be packed with new people to party with, new people to study with, and yes, new people to have sex with. We all know the first few months of school are typically when the hormones of many kick in (this goes back to the “fresh meat” thing), and people everywhere are gettin’ busy. A lot.

So before we all pack up our stuff, say goodbye to free food and laundry and head back to school, here are a few STI facts to keep in mind when checking out all those new sexual prospects come September.

1 in 5 Americans are infected with an STI – That’s right, folks, 1 in 5. That means, in your class of 100, there’s a chance that somewhere near 20 people could be infected with some sort of STI. See now why it’s important to always use a condom?

The three most common STIs include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and HPV. Luckily, many of us are eligible for the HPV vaccine which will almost completely eliminate our chance of contracting the forms of HPV that can lead to nasty genital and cervical cancers.

While most STIs can be treated with antibiotics and other medications, HIV, HPV, hepitits-B and herpes are incurable. While these diseases can be managed with the help of medication, you will (typically) carry the virus for life. Now, imagine having to have the “just so you know, I have herpes” talk with all of your future partners. Not so fun.

While most of us associate an STI with changes in our genitals (itching, burning, weird discharge), oftentimes there are no symptoms. The only way to be sure that you are STI-free is by getting tested regularly by your doctor – a simple routine that can be conducted at the same time that you get your annual PAP (or whenever it’s possible that you’ve been exposed to something). Women should be seeing a doctor for their annual physical/PAP smear once a year beginning when they become sexually active. If you do have symptoms, be sure to get to your doctor – your symptoms won’t go away just because you pretend they’re not there.

The good news is that most schools and health clinics offer free condoms to students and patients – some even offering a polyurethane alternative for those with latex allergies. We all know that condoms can be a little pricey, but stopping by the clinic and taking what you need is a perfectly reasonable alternative. Colleges go out of their way to make these resources available to their students because they know the importance of safe sex.

There is no excuse for putting your health at risk by having unsafe sex. Go out and have fun, but remember to get tested regularly and always, always, always use a condom.

6788824 Comments2010-09-13+17%3A00%3A47Ness+-+Sheridan on "If You’re Having Sex, Do It Safely"

Anna says:
Mon, 13th Sep 201010:34 am

While I completely and wholeheartedly agree with this entire article and I appreciate it's being written, I want to correct you on one thing: It is highly unlikely that 20 in 100 college students actually have an STD. That statistic is based on an extremely large and randomized sample with a lot of data encompassing all the different socioeconomic groups and ages in the United States. A group of 100 college students is a highly selective sample- all of a certain age, probably only sexually active for a few years, if that, and generally of a middling to higher socioeconomic status- and in that sample, you are far less likely to find STDs than in a sample of a lower socioeconomic status of unemployed city-dwelling adults over the age of 35. Scary facts like that aren't doing this article justice, because while STDs are risky, there's no reason to assume everyone you come in contact with has one. Be smart, not terrified.

criolle johnny says:
Mon, 13th Sep 20101:56 pm

Probability of STI has CRAP to do with socioeconomic status! It also has little to do with education.

I has a helluva lot more to do with sexual activity and, as this article was intelligent enough to mention, doing it safely.

You can read all the stats you want showing "lower income groups" having higher STI rates. Higher income groups have private doctors. THEIR infections go unreported.

Britney says:
Mon, 13th Sep 20103:57 pm

I just had sex for the first time this past weekend with a guy I've been fooling around with for quite some time. We were both slightly tipsy and in the heart of the moment decided to go for it. However, neither of us had condoms. I told him to make sure he pulled out in time, which he did. I'm not worried about pregnancy because I'm on the pill for health reasons, but what kind of STIs could I have gotten from this method? He said it was the first time he'd ever done it without a condom, and I trust him. I'm kind of freaking out and know that it was a terrible decision, but any advice would be much appreciated.

runningwild16 says:
Mon, 13th Sep 20104:11 pm

Actually, I can say from experience that may not be the case. I am 19 years old, had the guardasil vaccine, and have only had one sexual partner (my long term boyfriend) with whom I have ALWAYS used protection properly. I am from an upper middle class family, and worked my way to attend a top research university, and I was recently diagnosed with HPV. STI's do not discriminate. If you make the adult decision to engage in any kind of sexual activity (genital to genital contact, even WITH a condom), you are ALWAYS taking a risk. The only way to be entirely certain that you will not catch an STI is through abstinence. Realistically, its best to have a little chat with you're partner–yes, I know, not the most fun thing to do when you're in the heat of the moment–but its for the best, and hopefully it will save you the stress that comes along with receiving a phone call about your abnormal PAP. Luckily, my body will likely be able to fight the strain that I was diagnosed with, but this experience did add a new perspective to the way I handle my sexuality.

The best way to prevent this from happening to you is through educating yourself. For more information, visit http://hpv.com/pdc/hpv/index.jsp

Anna says:
Mon, 13th Sep 20105:33 pm

I never said that people in college DON'T have STIs, I was just saying that the number is inflated by groups from different demographics that statistically have more unprotected sex and have been sexually active for longer.

Anonymous says:
Tue, 14th Sep 20109:34 am

I also had the Gardasil vaccine and was diagnosed with HPV. Used condoms, not that that matters when it comes to HPV. Just an FYI that it is always possible to get infected.

Ness - Sheridan says:
Tue, 14th Sep 20106:37 pm

I'm just going by the statistics, guys. Also, you have to keep in mind that since 80% of us will have HPV by the time we're 40, I'm guessing that (very prevalent) infection is what's contributing to such a high number.

Leigha says:
Thu, 16th Sep 20104:09 pm

The statistics I've seen (fairly frequently) say that 1 in 5 people have herpes, plus a lot of people have HPV, and according to the CDC, just under .7% have chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis (all of which are treatable and temporary). I would say 1 in 5 is a fairly reasonable number.

Kelly says:
Mon, 20th Sep 20104:49 pm

the Department of Health in most states will do free STI testing so definitely check it out.. I think throughout NYS there are clinics held monthly

Mark Holbrook says:
Thu, 23rd Sep 20106:46 am

Safe sex is essential these days and the use of condoms cannot be stressed enough.
http://www.sexybedroomtoys.com/condoms-78/

Kara Heald says:
Tue, 28th Sep 201010:36 am

I totally agree with this but one thing that bugs me is the picture. This comment is not really important but I just would like to say that having a Trojan box and putting lifestyles in it is not right and bugs me. None of those condoms actually me with that box its just a box and three random condoms to put in it. Sorry to the photographer but I am just not a fan of this picture

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