Old Main 560
(360) 650-2993
pws@wwu.edu
Office Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Sex 101
Defined: Most people define sexual intercourse – penis in vagina – as sex. After that, sexual terms and types of sexual contact make defining sex more difficult.
Why does it matter what you call it? If you don’t identify what you’re doing as sex, you may think you’re safe from contracting an STD. As a result, you may not take steps to protect yourself, and thus increase your risk of contracting an STD.
Preventing STDs:
Only 2 birth control methods – abstinence and the condom can prevent STDs. STDs can be passed in infected semen, blood, or vaginal fluids. HIV, Chlamydia, gonorrhea and Hepatitis B are passed in this way. Herpes, HPV, and syphilis can be passed through genital skin-to-skin contact as well. STDs can be passed from a man to a woman, woman to a man, man to man, or woman to woman.
Condoms: Easy to use and buy, and they work.
Used correctly and consistently, condoms are highly effective at preventing pregnancy and most STDs. However, if the STD is on the skin outside the area covered by a condom, it can still potentially be passed between partners.
How Much Do You Know?
Know the risks: Some sexual activities are riskier than others. Know what level of risk you’re willing to take, and what level of protection you’re willing to use.
Know your partner: Have you or your partner had unprotected sex before? Are they willing to get tested?
Know the symptoms: Some STDs don’t even have symptoms. Do you know what to look for and what to get tested for?
Know your options: Is abstinence a choice for you and/or your partner? Will either of you have only one partner? Will you use a barrier every time?
Sex Talk:
Although it seems easier to have sex than to talk about it, discussing sex can make it better and safer, while building closeness with your partner. Things to talk about with your partner:
- What does sex mean to you? What are your limits?
- Have either of you had sex without using a condom?
- How will you protect yourselves from STDs? From pregnancy?
- How do you feel about having other partners?
