Please excuse the repetition, but lately I have had sex on the brain. When most people think about sex it usually has more to do with getting some (or not getting some) than it has to do with safety. Unsafe sex can lead to many things such as unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (herpes, gonorrhea and HIV to name a few). I’ve heard people say, “condoms, well they kinda kill the mood,” or, “It doesn’t feel natural.” Now I’ve never had gonorrhea, but I don’t think there has ever been a case of gonorrhea that was resulted in pleasant sensations. I understand that one can, will and should do what one wants with one’s body, but here are the options and the risks involved in unsafe sex.More than two-thirds of people infected with a sexually transmitted disease are infected before they are twenty-five years old. Most sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are curable if treated early and can often be prevented if proper protection is used during sexual activity. Condoms are the best protection against transmission of disease (if used properly, nearly 100%) and are effective in preventing pregnancy as well (about 94-97%). Condoms are one of the cheapest, simplest and most effective forms of birth control. Using a spermicide, such as nonoxynol-9, will increase effectiveness.
Testing for STDs is also a very important part of protection. Depending on your lifestyle, I would suggest a combination of birth control methods. For those in committed relationships who do not want to use condoms, I suggest that each person get tested for STDs (a simple blood test; HIV can now be tested for orally) and then the woman can talk to a health care professional about which method of birth control is right for her. There are estrogen and progesterone pills, patches, insertable rings, shots. Anything you want, they’ve got. Even a “Plan B,” because even the best protection isn’t fool-proof.
The only birth control that is one hundred percent effective is abstinence but most people are more than willing to take the risk. Condoms break, your pill schedule gets messed up, you miscalculate your cycle or withdrawal is too late (the rhythm method should be used only as an aid to conception, not as contraception and the withdrawal method is about as effective as not using birth control). The morning after pill is quick, safe and less invasive than an actual abortion. “Plan B,” can be taken up to 120 hours after the fact (condom malfunction, no condom, etc). The morning after pill will not abort a pregnancy, but exposure to such a high level of hormones can cause damage to the fetus. Emergency contraceptive pills are available only through prescription.
Here on campus the health center provides comprehensive sexual health care. This includes yearly physicals and gynecological exams, full laboratory services including STD screening and pregnancy testing, self breast and genital exam information, safe sex information and contraception. The health center can continue a prescription given to you by your doctor at home(including administration of the Depro Provera shot). If there is any service the health center cannot perform for you they will find someone who can. There are many options available in the community including Planned Parenthood, other clinics and private offices. Planned Parenthood has a clinic in downtown Bridgeport and there are others around the state (call 1-800-230-PLAN or check out www.plannedparenthood.org for more information). The student health center is very affordable(the service fees are nominal) and Planned Parenthood’s fees are on a sliding scale based on financial need; you don’t need to have money to find good health care. It is very important that you take care of yourself. So be safe, have lots of sex and be happy and healthy.