What does it mean to be sexually healthy?  Does it mean practicing safer sex or total abstinence?  The best answer to these questions is that intimacy is a personal decision to you, so long as it makes you feel good, doesn't hurt others and is respectful of your body and of your partner.  Communication is the key.  LIFE encourages all students to make the choice that best represents their goals in life, values and personal expectations.  If you do choose to engage in sexual activity make sure you are making safe choices both to prevent pregnancy and STI's (sexually transmitted infections).

Remember that abstinence is always a good choice---it is the best means of disease prevention and pregnancy prevention out there!!!  Whatever decision you make---you are sure to learn alot by reading this page and checking out some of the excellent links!!!

Sexual Health

Women---Once a woman becomes sexually active or reaches 21 she should have a pap test.  This test checks for early signs of cancer and often detects abnormalities which may be signs of STI's.  A Women's Health session is conducted prior to the exam by a Student Health nurse.  Breast self-exams are important to do each month just after menstruation.  To learn how to do a breast self-exam click here.      

Males---Testicular cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among young men, including those of college age.  It can usually be cured if found early.  To learn how to do this important exam check out this web site.

Contraception

College students today who are sexually active should consider using a barrier method to prevent transmission of a disease and a hormonal method to prevent pregnancy...so choosing a method of contraception is an important decision.  Here's a brief list of what is on the market today.  For more detailed info on how it works, the effectiveness, benefits, things to consider and cost visit www.smartersex.org---developed especially for college students.  We think you will really like this site.

Barrier Methods

• Male Condom

• Female Condom

• Contraceptive Sponge

• Cervical Cap

• Diaphragm

• Spermicides---creams, jellies, foam

Hormonal Methods

• Combined Pill

• Progestin-only Pill

• Norplant

• DepoProvera

• Lunelle Shot

• The Ring

• The Patch

• IUD

• Emergency Contraception

Most of the prescription methods are available at the Student Health Center including Emergency Contraception.

Methods That Don't Work

• Withdrawal
• Rhythm
• Intercourse during menstruation
• The first time
• Standing up immediately after sex
• Douching after sex
• Praying
• Nothing

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Chlamydia

    Facts:

• Chlamydia is a bacterial infection spread by exchange of body fluids during vaginal, anal, AND oral sex.

• Most people are unaware that they have Chlamydia.

• If left untreated, Chlamydia may cause painful and permanent damage to sex organs, making women unable to have children.

• Chlamydia affects 10-15% of all sexually active young adults.

• Chlamydia is the #1 treated STI at Washington and Lee. If you are suspicious, get tested!

    Symptoms: 75% of women and 50% of men have no symptoms.

     If symptoms occur, they include:

     Women:

• Discharge from the vagina

• Bleeding between periods or after sex

• Pain in the abdomen

• Burning or pain when urinating

     Men:

• Cleat or white drip from penis

• Swollen, tender testicles

• Burning or pain when urinating

    Treatment:

• Antibiotics are effective

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

   Facts:

• HPV, or genital warts, are caused by the human papilloma virus and are spread from person to person by close physical contact during sex.  The virus can be transmitted even when no warts are visible.

• Symptoms generally show up 1-8 months after contact with HPV.

• Different types of HPV cause warts found on other parts of the body.  People do not get genital warts by touching warts on their hands or feet.

•  Rates of infection among sexually active people may be as high as 38-46%.

•  Some studies estimate that the majority of the sexually active population is exposed to at least one or more types of HPV - although most do not develop symptoms. Because HPV is so prevalent, a person does not need have to have a lot of sexual partners to come into contact with this virus.

• There is a strong correlation between HPV infection, abnormal Pap tests results and increased risk of cervical cancer in women.  Women who are sexually active should get an annual exam.

    Symptoms:

• The virus may be present and transmissible even if warts are not visible.

• If warts are present, they may be flat or raised, small or up to one inch in diameter, in clusters or alone, and range in color from pink to brown.  Often they look cauliflower-like.

Women:

•  warts may be found on cervix, vaginal walls, external genitalia or around the anus.

 Men:

• warts may be found on the penis, scrotum or around the anus.

     Treatment:

• Genital warts or HPV can be treated by a physician, often needing multiple treatments.  Regular exams are important even after warts disappear, since genital warts can remain latent and return. 

• IMPORTANT: Over-the-counter wart treatments should NOT be used in the genital area.

Herpes

   Facts:

• 1 in 5 adults in the United States has genital herpes.

• As many as 90% are unaware that they have the Herpes virus.

• The W&L Student Health Center does treat Herpes!

• Herpes Type I - oral, and Herpes Type II - genital can be spread via oral sex.

• There is NO cure, however, symptoms can be treated.

    Symptoms:

• Sores, blisters, pimples, bumps in genital area

• Itching, burning, tingling in genital area

• Can spread even when no symptoms are present

    Treatment:

• Can be controlled with medication.

Gonorrhea

    Facts:

• Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection spread by exchange of body fluids during vaginal, anal, AND oral sex.

• If Gonorrhea is left untreated, the bacteria can spread up into the reproductive tract, through the bloodstream and infect joints, heart valves, and other body tissues.

• If you are infected with Gonorrhea, your risk of contracting HIV infection increases.

• Any sexually active person can contract Gonorrhea.

     Symptoms:

      Women:

• Bleeding with vaginal intercourse

• Pain or burning when urinating

• Vaginal discharge that is yellow or bloody

       Men: 

• Pus from the penis

• Pain

• Burning sensations during urination that may be severe

      Treatment:

• Antibiotics are effective 

AIDS and HIV Infection

At W&L we often feel like we live in an insular world---that concern for contacting HIV infection doesn't exist.  We do know from data collected on college students in a national survey that 2 out of 1,000 college students are HIV+.  Think again...HIV infection is a very real concern for students who are sexually active.  Remember you can't tell by looking at someone if they are infected with HIV or any other STI or how many sex partners they have had.  We have to use common sense and always use a condom.  Look in the Links section of this page for some really good resources to learn more about HIV & AIDS, diagnosis, treatment and how you can help through political action.  On campus support STOP AIDS.  Confidential testing is available on-campus at the Student Health Center or off-campus at the Health Department.

Safer Sex Practices

• Abstinence---This is the only 100% effective way to protect yourself.  W&L Brochure Not Having...Sex in Big Lex

• Monogamy---Say NO! to casual sex.  Having one partner for a short time and then moving on to another partner (we call this serial monogamy) can be risky behavior.

• Communicate---TALK first!  Be honest and direct about your expectations and boundaries.

• Stay Sober---Alcohol and other drugs lower your ability to make sensible self-protecting decisions.  Drunk sex is rarely safer sex.

• CONDOMS---Use a lubricated condom every time you have sex.

• RUBBER DAMS or plastic wrap---Use with oral sex to prevent transmission of STI's.

• Choose Lower Risk Sexual Activities---Kissing, hugging, massaging, and touching are generally safer activities than oral, anal or vaginal intercourse.

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception or the "Morning After Pill" is available for situations where contraceptive protection was compromised such as a broken condom, unprotected sex or sexual assault.  Emergency contraception should be started ASAP and no later than 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.  The nurses at the Student Health Center can assist you 24/7.    There are several good links on this page that give you more info on the MAP.

Campus Resources

Student Health Center---offers confidential exams, prescription of birth control, STI testing, Emergency Contraception, pregnancy testing and counseling, confidential testing for HIV.

Counseling Center---provides counseling on relationship issues, decisions around sexuality, etc.

Office of Health Promotion---has loads of pamphlets, books to help you make the right decision for you!

LIFE Peer Health Educators---they have lots of info and would love to talk with you or do a program for your organization or hall.

Peer Counselors---want to talk to someone your age?  Peer Counselors have been specifically trained to listen to your concerns, problems, relationship issues.

The following links will provide you with the information you need to make smart, safe, sexually healthy decisions:

http://www.smartersex.org/index.asp   Lots of great info on STIs and safe sex. Gives survey results from college students about their sexuality. The results are surprising!

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/   Gives helpful info about planning parenthood with phone numbers to clinics and physicians.

http://www.ashastd.org/     American Social Health Association home page. Click on link to Facts and Answers about STDs and find info on many diseases and infections. Lots of good resources here.

http://www.yourinfonow.com/acha/stislides.htm    View or download slide shows on STIs

http://www.indiana.edu/~kisiss/topics/alcohol.html     Info on alcohol and sex with a little bit on date rape drugs

http://www.aidsquilt.org/    View the AIDS memorial quilt and find out how to get involved

http://www.thebody.com/    Really good info on AIDS Basics & Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, Quality of Life, and Policy & Activism

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/facts.htm    Center for Disease Control HIV/AIDS page loaded with general info about transmission, prevention, research and HIV globally

http://ec.princeton.edu/    The Emergency Contraception Website

www.uga.edu/sexualhealth    Excellent information on oral sex and STIs

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