Archive
Sex@Iowa Poll: How recently have you been tested for STIs?
STI in Burge?
…
Today’s Question:
“I’m worried I may have an STD. I’m 19, a female and have had 2 different male partners in the past 3 weeks. I didn’t know the first one well and we did not use a condom. The second partner insisted I use a condom and I’m not as worried about him but I think the condom may have fallen off, too. I’ve noticed some discharge but my friend tells me I’m just a hypochondriac. What are the chances I have an STI?”
…Worried in Burge
Dr. Laros: Well, “Worried”, given your recent activities and your concern, I’d recommend you get STI (Sexually Transmitted Illness) screening.
Dr. Evans: I agree; getting tested is easy, quick and in many cases, free if you go to Student Health. What screening tests you get and how often you should be screened depends on your age, sexual behaviors and other risk factors. The Centers for Disease Control and other experts recommend sexually active females get tested for Chlamydia and gonorrhea annually and for HIV if you have had a change in/new sexual partner.
Dr. Laros: It’s important to know that not all STIs cause symptoms, particularly in females. You also mention condom use. It’s great that you used a condom with one partner. We recommend you use condoms every time. While condoms greatly reduce the chances of contracting an STI, they do not eliminate all risk even if used properly. As you have had one episode of intercourse without using a condom, your risk of contracting an STI is higher.
Dr. Evans: At the Student Health Service, you can get a few condoms for free, too! As to the “chances” that you have an STI: of UI students tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea at Student Health in 2011-12, 7% tested positive. However, every person’s own risk is individual and dependent on many factors, so it would be good to meet with a healthcare provider to discuss your risks.
Dr. Laros: Some STIs are completely curable; others can be treated and managed, but not cured completely. It’s always good to be checked as if you do have an STI, you can be treated appropriately and in many cases, cured.
Dr. Evans: I should note that there are other causes of vaginal discharge besides STIs, so you could be checked for those as well with a visit to a clinic.
Dr. Laros: For example, you may have a vaginal discharge due to a fungal (yeast) infection and not an STI. A vaginal yeast infection can usually be easily treated but some simple testing could be done to determine the exact cause of your symptoms so the right treatment can be recommended and given.
Dr. Evans: On campus, confidential STI screening tests can be done at the Student Health Clinic and for many students meeting certain criteria of age, risk behaviors, most of the testing is free.
Today’s Statistic:
57.0% of U. of Iowa students who were sexually active reported using a condom/barrier most of the time or always when having vaginal sex in the last 30 days.
(Data from National College Health Assessment survey given to 882 undergrad UI students in the spring of 2012.)
Today’s Info Links:
American Social Health Association: http://www.ashastd.org/
Good info on STI’s, STI diagnosis, treatment, prevention.
CDC’s Get Yourself Tested (GYT):
http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/?utm_source=gytnow
http://www.cdcnpin.org/stdawareness/GYT.aspx
YouTube: How to use a condom:
Another demo video:
Got a sex question?
Leave us a comment or submit your question(s) to:
Spring Break Sex: Be Careful Out There!
Today’s Question:
If I have sex on my Spring Break, how can I lower my risk of getting an STI? (I have a friend who got an STI in Panama City last year.) …Worried Traveler.
###
Dr. Laros: Thinking ahead… that’s good, “Worried.” Every year in Student Health we see an increase in men and women with Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) concerns and other health issues in the weeks following spring break.
Dr. Evans: Yes; planning ahead and being prepared are actually two things you can do to lower your risk of getting an STI on spring break or any other time as well! Here is a list of things to consider to stay safe and lower your risk:
…
- Avoid excessive alcohol
###
- Plan ahead; make decisions beforehand and not in the heat of the moment
###
- Watch your drinks; avoid date rape drugs. If you do drink, don’t leave your drink unattended
###
- Stay in groups; make a pact with friends to watch out for each other: Go out with your friends, come home with your friends
###
- Don’t leave a party or bar alone or with someone you just met
###
- Use condoms every time you have sex; condoms provide protection against many STIs but even if used correctly, don’t provide 100% protection against genital warts and herpes…think before you hook up
###
- Remember contraception; birth control pills don’t work if you don’t take them
###
- Remember emergency contraception (brand name: Plan B) is available over the counter at any pharmacy or drugstore
###
- Plan B may also be free to you if you get a prescription; Call Student Health Nurseline (319-335-9704) for a prescription, you don’t need an appointment
###
Dr. Laros: And, at risk of sounding like you mother, remember to use sunscreen and wear your seatbelt if you’re in a car.
Dr. Evans: So get packing: sunscreen, condoms, pills, cell phone, ID, camera. And, have a chat with your travel partners/friends ahead of time to set some of the above ground rules. Be safe and have fun.
Today’s Statistic:
According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey –there is an average of 207,754 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year. That means that about every 2 minutes, a sexual assault occurs in the United States.
###
…
Today’s Info Links:
“Fight Back on Spring Break”
http://www.safespringbreak.org/
CNN Spring Break Safety video; CNN/Paula Zahn:
.
Centers for Disease Control Spring Break Health and Safety Tips:
http://www.cdc.gov/family/springbreak/
..
###
Got a sex question? Send your question(s) to:
http://studenthealth.uiowa.edu/health-answers/ask-your-question
A Warty Issue: HPV
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!
…
Today’s Question:
…
My best friend in my sorority just got the HPV/wart vaccine and told me I should be getting it too. I don’t want to get warts, but I’m not sure about this vaccine. What can you tell me about it? Should my boyfriend get the vaccine and should he be tested for HPV infection?
Dr. Laros: HPV or Human Papilloma Virus is actually a group of over 100 viruses that infect the skin. Certain types or strains of this virus cause warts on the hands or feet and others cause warts on the genitals. Those strains of HPV that affect/infect the genitals are sexually transmitted illnesses.
Dr. Evans: Some strains of the HPV virus that infect the genitals will cause visible warts but other strains that do not cause warts will cause changes in normal cells which can lead to cancer, specifically cancer of the cervix in women and some forms of anal or oral cancer that can occur in men and women.
Dr. Laros: Of the >100 strains of HPV, two strains, HPV-16 and HPV-18 cause 70% of cervical cancers and two other strains, HPV-6 and HPV-11 cause 90% of all genital warts. The Gardasil ® vaccine for HPV contains these 4 strains of HPV (6,11,16 and 18) and is given as 3 shots into the arm over a 6 month period.
Dr. Evans: The HPV vaccine is approved for use in both females and males from 11 through 26 years of age. Most health insurance plans will cover all or most of the cost of this vaccine, but individuals should always check with their own insurance about coverage and out of pocket costs.
Dr. Laros: This vaccine is available for male and female students at Student Health. You can schedule an appointment to get the vaccine by calling 335-8394.
Dr. Evans: Whether or not to get the HPV vaccine is a decision you should make after getting the facts and discussing it with your healthcare provider. The HPV vaccine is thought to be most effective when given early, before you have intercourse for the first time, but is effective if given later.
Dr. Laros: Genital HPV infection is extremely common. Estimates are that 80% or more of people who have been sexually active will have an HPV infection at some time in their life. Many are unaware that they ever had an HPV infection and most cases, those infected will clear the infection/fight it off with their own immune system.
Dr. Evans: Because this vaccine is now approved for use in men, I would especially hope that male UI students would seriously consider getting this vaccination to protect themselves and their current (and future) sexual partners from HPV infection and cancer. In my opninion, it would be great if your boyfriend got this vaccination! What a nice Valentine’s Day gift, huh?
Laros: Certain strains of the HPV virus can lead to changes that can cause cervical cancer over time. For this reason, women should have a screening test called a PAP smear starting at age 21 and then regularly every 2-3 years during her 20s and every 3-5 years after age 30. There is no screening test for HPV infection in men.
Today’s Statistics:
…
HPV vaccination has also been found to prevent nearly 100 percent of the precancerous cervical cell changes that would have been caused by HPV 16/18.
Source: National Cancer Institute
Over 70% of new genital HPV infections occur in 15-24 year olds.
…
Today’s Info Links:
.
Navigating HPV interactive tool:
…
American Social Health Association on HPV
…
CDC Cervical Cancer Screening info site:
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening.htm
PAP Smear results; information from CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/pap/#sec2
Sex@Iowa 