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Sexual Wellness
Helpful Tips
| Tip | Description |
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| 98% of the time that a condom breaks, it is due to user error |
Condoms and other latex barriers, like dental dams, not only reduce the risk of pregnancy for you and your partner, but they also reduce the risk of transmitting/contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, in order to reduce your risk, you must use condoms or other latex barriers consistently and correctly EVERY SINGLE TIME you have sex! When condoms do break, it is from not using them correctly (user error) 98% of the time. |
| Abstinence includes oral sex! |
Abstinence, by definition, means that there is no transmission of bodily fluids between partners. Therefore, vaginal, anal and oral sex are included in this definition. Be aware that all sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, can be transmitted by vaginal, anal and oral sex! |
| Abstinence is the ONLY 100% effective method! |
Abstinence is the ONLY 100% effective method against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy! Abstinence means not engaging in any form of sexual activity (oral, vaginal or anal sex) or in activities where transmission of bodily fluids, not including saliva, may occur. Abstinence can be chosen at any time in a person's life, for a night, a day, a week, and even if you have had sex with a previous partner, until you find "the right person" to have sex with. |
| It could take HIV antibodies up to 6 months to show up in an antibody test |
It can take the body up to 6 months after a possible HIV exposure, like having unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive, to produce detectable antibodies (antibodies are the proteins your immune system creates in response to the proteins on the HIV virus itself as a way to remove the HIV in your body). This means that if you had unprotected sex 3 months ago and then receive an HIV antibody test, you could test negative at that time, but really be positive. The best thing to do is get tested again after the 6 month window period ends. |
| Put condoms on before any genital contact occurs |
It is important to put condoms on before any genital contact occurs because the pre-ejaculate (pre-cum) found on the tip of the man's penis before ejaculation occurs carries enough virus or bacteria, if he has a sexually transmitted infection (STI), to transmit that STI and enough sperm to cause pregnancy. HIV is actually found in the highest concentrations in the pre-ejaculate. |
| Respect and Protect Your Sexual Health |
Did you know that latex barriers, like condoms, are very effective against the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but that they only reduce the risk of infection from the areas that they cover? Some STIs, like Herpes and HPV, which can cause genital warts, can live outside the area where a condom or other latex barrier covers. Almost all STIs can be transmitted by oral, vaginal and anal sex. Most STIs show no symptoms so the only way to know your status is to get tested. If you choose to be sexually active, having sex with only one partner, who only has sex with you, and practicing safer sex decreases your risk of transmitting an STI.
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| Sexual Assault |
1. Be aware of your surroundings.
2. Learn the facts of how sexual assault occurs - not just the stereotypes. Most of the time people are assaulted by someone they know and alcohol may be involved, for example. So plan around events where drinking may occur and understand that people who sexually offend may look like really nice guys/gals who are just trying to help out.
2. Trust your feelings and instincts, both with strangers and people you know.
3. Leave the situation if your boundaries have been crossed.
4. "Speak up" if you see something going on that doesn't seem to be okay. If it doesn't seem safe to speak up - look for ways to get the unsafe person out of that situation.
5. It's more than okay to be assertive. If you don't feel comfortable then something needs to change.
Resource: OSU Sexual Violence Education and Support (SVES)
www.swc.osu.edu
292-4527 |
| The importance of being heard about sex |
Everyone has the right to make their own decisions regarding sexual activity and no one needs to BE PRESSURED to have sex. If someone is pressuring you, not hearing what you want to do (or don't want to do), it's important to recognize that their behavior is not okay. If they don't even respect your wishes before sex happens, then they may not be someone you would even want around you, let alone have as a sexual partner. |
| The only way to know your STI status is to get tested! |
The number one symptom of all sexually transmitted infections (STIs)is NO SYMPTOM AT ALL! So, the only way to know your status is to get tested! Just be aware that knowing your STI status does not in itself protect you from STIs. You must practice safer sex, like using latex barriers for each and every sex act, to reduce the risk of transmission of bodily fluids between partners. |
| What to do if you are sexually assaulted |
If you are sexually assaulted:
1. Get to a safe place.
2. Call 9-1-1, a friend, or someone who can help you.
3. If you're considering reporting what happened and it's possible - do not shower, bathe, douche, urinate, defecate, brush your teeth, or smoke. It's okay if you've already done these things - evidence can still be collected.
Save the clothes you were wearing at the time of the assault.
4. Seek medical help.
5.What happened is NOT your fault! You don't have to be alone, if you don't want to be. Campus advocates can be called to help you make decisions about what to do.
Resource: OSU Sexual Violence Education and Support (SVES)
www.swc.osu.edu
292-4527 |
| You can ONLY double up with two condoms when one is latex and one is non-latex! |
The ONLY time that you can double up with two condoms at once is if one is latex and the other is non-latex. This is because non-latex condoms, like natural membrane (lambskin) condoms, are porous and the viruses that cause HIV and Hepatitis are small enough to get through the pores. Because latex is not porous, doubling up with a latex condom (making sure that the latex is not touching the partner allergic to latex) is a good way to reduce the risk of transmitting/contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). NEVER double up with 2 latex or 2 non-latex condoms! They will rub together and cause one or both to tear or break! |
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