While in college, students may be faced with making decisions, including the decision to be abstinent or to engage in sexual activity. Making informed sexual health decisions requires thinking about the possible choices and potential outcomes, being informed about sexual health, recognizing social pressures, and clarifying personal values.
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.” This means that sexual health is not just about physical sexual health topics like contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but it’s also about consent, healthy relationships, preventing relationship and sexual violence, and making informed decisions. If you would like to know more about these topics, you can request one of our educational presentations or visit our other pages in the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention initiative. Keep scrolling to learn more about contraception and STIs!
Jump to resources and educational websites.
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 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.
There are four categories of contraception: hormonal, barrier/non-hormonal, lifestyle, and surgical methods. To get an idea of what options are available, Bedsider.org provides information on all of the different contraceptive methods and even includes a comparison tool.
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.
STIs
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs, sometimes referred to as 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. The most common bacterial STIs (caused by a bacteria) are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The most common viral STIs (caused by a virus) are herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The most common parasitic STIs (caused by a parasite) are trichomoniasis, pubic lice (crabs), and scabies. STIs are common among young adults aged 24 and younger, with 15-24 year-olds 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 located at the Center for Health Education & Wellness office, located on the second floor of the Student Health Building, Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm.
Learn how to use a male condom (external condom) correctly:
Learn how to use a female condom (internal condom) correctly:
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 can be treated using antibiotics (trichomoniasis) 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
Campus Resources
- Need Condoms?
- Pride Center
- Student Counseling Center
- Student Health Center
- Student Health Center’s Women’s Health Clinic
Community Resources
- A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee
- Knox County Health Department
- Knoxville Planned Parenthood