WELLNESS
The Birds and the Bees and All the In-betweens WRITER: Zoe Sandvigen PHOTOGRAPER: Jess Hume-Pantuso
Let’s talk about sex. There are people who either are or aren’t comfortable talking about it. Luckily for you, I have no problem, so I’m going to lay it all out there for you. For a lot of people, college is the time where you start to experiment with sex, and things of a similar nature. So whether you’re thinking about having sex, already having sex or just want a little refresh, it’s always good be informed. THE BASICS As fun and as freeing as sex can be, it can also be dangerous. Sexually transmitted diseases are more common than you’d think. In 2018 alone 2,457,188 cases of STDs were reported, many more go untreated. Though some are curable, including syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis, some aren’t. Diseases such as hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus, HIV and human papillomavirus don’t currently have a cure. This isn’t an all inclusive list, but has some of the most common STDs. So how do you get a STD and what do you do if it happens? They are often transmitted through skin-on-skin contact, semen, blood, vaginal fluids and sometimes even saliva. If you suspect you’ve contracted something, contact a healthcare provider immediately and abstain from having any intercourse until the issue is resolved. You can even get tested at OSU’s Student Health Services right on campus. Once you get your results, you and your healthcare worker will come up with a plan of action to protect you and others you’ve been in sexual contact with. The best way to prevent the spread of a STD is to use condoms, both male or female, and regularly get tested. Even with a condom, some skinto-skin transmitted diseases can still be passed, such as herpes. So having open, clear communication with your partner about your safety and boundaries should always come first.
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The CDC offers a really informative page regarding all types of STDs for all sexual orientations, treatments, symptoms, facts and more. Check out https://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm. Don’t be scared to click around! Knowing how to protect yourself will make sex so much more fun and relaxing. CONTRACEPTIVES Alright ladies and my fellow vagina-bearing bodies, as much as by 2020 you’d think technology would adapt for those who have the actual sperm to take more of a responsibility in contraceptive care–they don’t. So it’s all up to you. Luckily, in our society today it’s easy to get access to various kinds of contraceptives. You’ve probably all heard of just taking a daily hormonal pill, but there are so many other opinions that may be more fitting. Granted, the hormones in the pill make a lot of us feel crazy or emotional. To start, there are different variants of the pill you can try out to find one that makes you feel the most normal. Before I get too far into this, know you don’t need a guardian to get birth control! I know a huge reason why some of us birthing-bodies don’t go on birth control is because they don’t want their parents to know. Planned Parenthood is an exceptional resource that offers free contraceptive options, medical attention, planning and simple advice. You can always call to make an appointment at the nearest location and just go
