Tag Archives: sex

Sexy & Savvy: TMI!

Posted on by
Reply

Contributed by Rebecca Smith, M.A., L.C.P.C., C.S.A.T.

You did what?! With whom? How many times?

I meet with several students each day, and unfortunately cheating is an issue that’s brought up a lot. Many students have been cheated on in the past, and a common mistake is asking for too much information (TMI).

What do I mean by that? Well, when you’ve caught your boyfriend or girlfriend cheating, it can become an obsession to find out all the details. Questions blow through your mind at lightening speed. You want to know what that other person looks like, how long they’ve been hooking up with your boyfriend or girlfriend, where they would meet. You probably also want to know how it started, what your boyfriend or girlfriend said, and what the other person said. Details, details, you want all the details!!!

Couple relaxing on veranda, sitting on rail with backs to each other

Most of those details are TMI and could do more harm than good for you to know, especially all the sexually-explicit details. Many times your imagination will create fantasies that are worse than what really happened. Additionally, once you know certain aspects, you can’t “un-know” them, and knowing the truth could drive you just as wild, if not more so. If your imagination is continuing to go crazy, you may want to talk to a counselor to find out how to stop torturing yourself.

While there are certain details that are TMI, some things you have a right to know:  how it started and for how long it’s been going on; who it was and if it was more than one person; if the people involved used protection and if they’ve been tested for a sexually transmitted infection; if it was a sexual affair, an emotional affair, or both; and most importantly, if it’s really over between your boyfriend or girlfriend and the other person.

Being cheated on is a devastating thing to go through, and the recovery process takes time whether you stay in that relationship or not. If you choose to stay in the relationship, you will need to find a way to rebuild trust. The urge to pay the person back by either cheating on them or hurting them in some other way will be great. Find a healthy way to process your feelings of anger or depression. The goal is to move forward no matter what.

Also, stop blaming yourself! It’s not your fault that someone cheated on you. If you feel there are things you did wrong in the relationship, work on correcting them. That still doesn’t excuse your boyfriend or girlfriend’s behavior. Focus on what you can control and try to stop obsessing, blaming, and hating. Those emotions are draining, and they don’t change anything. Figure out what your choices are, and do your best to make the best choice for you. Hang in there!

—

Have you ever been cheated on? Tell me your story and what you did to rebuild trust or rebuild yourself in the comments. For more information on sexually transmitted infections and healthy relationships, visit the Sexual Health section of MyStudentBody.

Overheard On Campus: I heard men can now get Gardasil to prevent some types of HPV. How does it work?

Posted on by
Reply

Contributed by Melissa Kelley, M.S., C.H.E.S., Michelle Cohen, M.P.H., C.H.E.S., & Erin Kaufmann, B.S.
Introduction by Tyler Achilles, B.A.

Being proactive about your sexual health is so important as a college student today. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases for both men and women and can cause some serious health problems if not protected against or treated properly. Fortunately, Gardasil, a vaccine for some types of HPV, as you’ll learn below, has just become recommended for men. For information on similar topics, check out the Overheard On Campus category or log in to MyStudentBody.

Portrait of young man with shaggy hair, left

Melissa Kelley, a health educator at University of Rochester, says …

Yes, Gardasil is now available and recommended for males, ages 9-26. The Gardasil vaccine guards against the 4 types of HPV that are responsible for causing the majority of cervical cancers in women and genital warts in both men and women. Gardasil works best before someone has had sexual contact with a partner. However, it is important to talk with your provider about your options, whether or not you are sexually active. The vaccine is provided in 3 doses over a six-month period. You must receive all three doses to be fully protected.

Please keep in mind that receiving the vaccine does not exempt you from the use of condoms or taking precautions against other sexually transmitted infections. It is important to decide if receiving Gardasil is right for you and to talk with your partner about the best ways to protect each other from the spread of other types of sexually transmitted infections.

Michelle Cohen, also a health educator at Georgia Tech, has more to add …

You are right! Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, is now FDA-approved for use in males aged 9-26. The purpose of Gardasil in males is to prevent genital warts. The vaccine is effective against HPV Types 6 and 11 in males, which cause 90% of cases of genital warts.

When you receive the HPV vaccine, you are being injected with an antigen that causes HPV. This antigen isn’t strong enough to cause HPV. However, it does cause your body to produce antibodies to protect against HPV. Click here for more information about how vaccines prevent diseases.

All sexually active men and women are at risk for HPV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that at least 50% of sexually active men and women will acquire genital HPV at some point in their lives. Most of these people do not have symptoms and do not know that they have it. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection.

The vaccine requires three doses. The second dose should be received two months after the first and the third dose six months after the first.

Check with your insurance company to see if the vaccine is covered. If not, the vaccine is available at low cost from most campus health centers.

Erin Kaufman, a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, says …

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections among young people (wow we’re hearing this a lot) – an estimated 20 million Americans are currently infected with the virus, and about half of all sexually active people will be infected with at least one strain of the virus at some point in their lives. How can one virus affect so many people? There are at least 40 different strains of the virus, and most people who are infected do not show signs or symptoms; this means that there are lots of different strains that you could potentially pass to someone without knowing that you have them.

The body’s immune system can fight off most strains of the virus as it naturally runs its course (like a cold virus). However, there are several “high-risk” strains of HPV that can either cause genital warts or increase the risk of developing cervical cancer in women. Because certain strains of the virus have been so strongly associated with cervical cancer, the vaccines that most help prevent it were originally marketed to women. However, Gardasil has now been approved to help protect against the two most common strains of the virus that can cause genital warts in both men and women – Type 6 and 11.

The CDC now recommends that men be vaccinated as well as women because they are at risk of becoming infected with the virus and passing it to their sexual partners. The vaccine is also more effective than a barrier method (such as a condom) because the virus can infect susceptible skin that barriers may not always cover. The most immediate benefit of the Gardasil vaccine for men is the protection from genital warts. But it also reduces the spread of the virus between partners. This is especially important for men to consider if their sexual partners are women – it can reduce the chance of HPV infection associated with cervical cancer for someone they may care about. Additionally, HPV has been linked to several cancers that do affect men, like cancer of the penis and anus. Getting vaccinated is the easiest and most effective way to prevent contracting and spreading HPV.

Bottom line: Guys (as well as gals), get tested and get vaccinated for HPV.

For more sexual health-related posts, check out the Sexual Health category in Health Topics or log in to MyStudentBody and navigate to the Sexual Health section. Post a comment below to share your thoughts.

About MyStudentBloggy, About MyStudentBody

Overheard On Campus: Can I get a yeast infection from too much sex?

Posted on by
5

Contributed by Dr. Chris Hayes, M.D., Michelle Cohen, M.P.H., C.H.E.S., & Erin Kaufmann, B.S.
Introduction by Tyler Achilles, B.A.

Most of us don’t like to openly talk about stuff that’s going on down there, but it’s important to learn about your body and get proper treatment if something’s not feeling right. We received this question about yeast infections from a student – check out what some of our contributors had to say below:

Photo credit: MyStudentBody.com

Dr. Chris Hayes, a physician at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, has some advice for both women and men …

In women, yeast is a frequent inhabitant of the vaginal canal. Anything that disrupts the usual vaginal environment can allow yeast to overgrow, resulting in symptoms of itching, irritation, and discharge. Frequent intercourse and the trauma involved could conceivably disrupt things enough to allow this, but the symptoms could also be related to an allergic or irritant reaction to lubricants, spermicides, or cleansing products. There is also a risk of sexually transmitted organisms like trichomonas or herpes, which can both cause symptoms very similar to a yeast infection. The best way to tell the difference is for you to see your health care provider and get a pelvic exam.

Men rarely get yeast infections, but yeast can affect the foreskin and penis, causing a condition called “balanitis.” Because the condition is rare, if you have any swelling, itching, or irritation of the foreskin or penis, you should not assume it is caused by yeast until you see your health care provider to rule out other things.

Michelle Cohen, a health educator at Georgia Tech, says …

That is a great question! While too much sex does not directly cause a yeast infection, sexual activity can change the balance of normal bacteria in the vagina, leaving room for yeast to grow.

Yeast infections can also be caused by other things college students regularly experience – being stressed out, lack of sleep, poor eating habits, and being sick. They can be caused by taking certain medications, including antibiotics and hormonal contraception, using scented soaps, and douching.

If you haven’t been checked out by a health care provider, consider visiting the health center on campus. If you do in fact have a yeast infection, treatments are available from a doctor or over the counter.

If you are experiencing vaginal irritation and it isn’t a yeast infection, it could be caused by not using enough lubrication during sex. To reduce irritation in the future, consider using a water- or silicone-based lubricant.

Erin Kaufmann, a senior health promotion and behavior major at the University of Georgia, says …

Yeast infections happen because of a pH imbalance in your vagina; in other words, the normal environment down there has changed. Because your pH is out of whack, the good bacteria in your body can’t regulate the amount of yeast fungus. The yeast multiplies, and you itch; or unfortunately, you might burn, have discharge, or feel a burning sensation when you urinate. Over-the-counter or prescription medications are available to treat a yeast infection.

So what causes a yeast infection? Too much yeast can grow when your normal environment changes because of antibiotics, changes in your hormone levels, or a weakened immune system. Spending too much time in a wet bathing suit or synthetic underwear might also cause one because it provides a warm, moist environment that yeast loves to grow in. But can too much sex cause a yeast infection? Bacteria travel between partners during sex, so a change in the normal bacterial environment may allow yeast to grow (especially if your partner and his bacteria are new). But intercourse does not directly cause a yeast infection. It is important to use a condom during sex, and to regularly wash your vulva with mild soap and water, especially after intercourse.

For more information, log in to MyStudentBody and check out the Sexual Health topic area at the lower left of the My Stuff page.

You can also check out these resources:

http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/monilia_yeast_infection.html

http://brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/sexual_health/sexually_transmitted_infections/yeast_infections.php

http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/health-topics/womens-health/yeast-infections.shtml

6 Ways to Protect Yourself & Your Partner on Valentine’s Day (or Any Day)

Posted on by
3

Contributed by Tyler Achilles, B.A.

Couple kissing and enjoying dinner on Valentine's Day

Ahhh, Valentine’s Day. By now you’ve seen countless articles, advice columns, and feature stories highlighting the perfect gift for your girlfriend or boyfriend, the best things to do with your friends if you don’t have a significant other, or the downright absurdity that commercialization brings to the holiday. But so far I haven’t seen anyone talking about that “special time” that’s sure to be on the rise during V-Day. SEX. Yup, I said it. I haven’t seen or read one thing about sex leading up to today, and I think it’s important to share a few pointers about being savvy and safer when it comes to sex, especially for you crazy college kids.

While these next few tips will keep you safer when sexually active, please note that being safer starts with taking responsibility for your own protection (as Steve Lux points out in the comments section). Never rely solely on someone else to take all the necessary precautions before engaging in sex. Now on to the goods …

Have “the talk” with your partner. Having “the talk” about safe sex with your partner can be as awkward as having it with your parents, and the anxiety it can bring doesn’t make it easy. But it’s so important for your physical health and your relationship to set expectations before you’re rolling around in the sheets. Even if you haven’t been together long or it’s just a casual encounter, you should definitely try to size up the situation. Everyone likes to pretend that sexually transmitted infections (STI) magically appear out of nowhere, but the truth is you could be getting a lot more from hooking up than you thought. Talking with your partner is the first step to being safer. Check out more tips below.

Condoms, condoms, condoms. Using a condom the right way each and every time you have sex is the best way to prevent STIs. Keep them handy at all times. Having them readily available makes it more likely you’ll use them, and that means avoiding awkward and disruptive trips to ask your roommate or to the pharmacy around the corner. Total buzzkill.

Get tested with your partner on a regular basis. Some STIs don’t have any symptoms, so getting tested is the best way to find out if you need treatment and to make sure you’re not passing something on to someone else without even knowing it. Most campus health centers conduct STI testing for free or a small fee. If you can’t afford the fee (hey, you’re a student after all), then check out local free clinics. It’s as simple as making an appointment and showing up.

Think ahead. Do you know what to do if the condom breaks or you get really drunk and have unprotected sex? Using condoms with another method, finding out how to get emergency contraception before you need it, and knowing where to go for other resources can help you avoid a scary situation down the line. Moreover …

Don’t do it drunk. That’s not to say that you can’t have a few drinks – hey, it may help you loosen up and may even make sex more enjoyable. But don’t go crazy. The likelihood that you’ll have unprotected sex will increase with the more drinks you have, especially for women. Setting limits on booze will help keep you safer (and help you get the most out of getting it on). Finally …

Stay healthy in general. Eating right and getting enough sleep will help you fight off diseases, including the ones that hit down below.

—

Do you have any other tips to share? Write a comment in the section below. Click here for more Sexy & Savvy posts.