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The goal of University Health Services is to educate students about healthy sexuality and empower you to make decisions that keep you safe, healthy, and successful, including the choice not to have sex. If you choose to be sexually active, playing safe means:
Condoms
Use condoms every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Know where to get condoms and how to use them correctly. Condoms are the only contraceptive method that also protects you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Contraception
Choose a birth control method that works for you and your partner(s).
Vaccination
Get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to protect you from genital warts and cancer.
Communication
Talk with your partner(s) about healthy sexuality, including STI testing, pregnancy prevention, and consent. Learn how to build and maintain a healthy relationship.
Testing
Get tested regularly for STIs. Many STIs don't cause any symptoms, so getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you or your partner has an STI.
Sober
Avoid using alcohol and drugs before having sex. If you use alcohol and drugs, you are more likely to take risks, like not using a condom. Plus, you are less able to give and receive consent.
For more information about healthy sexuality and relationships, please explore the healthy sexuality links on this page.
