Student Health and Wellness Services

Sexual Health FAQ

It is recommended that you get tested every 4-6 weeks after unprotected intercourse or engaging in sexual activity with a new partner. For accurate results, some STIs require retesting every 3 months (eg. HIV). 

If you don't engage in oral, vaginal, anal sex or genital rubbing then the likelihood of STI transmission is minimal. If you do engage in these behaviors (oral, vaginal, anal sex and gential rubbing), then it is recommended that you get tested every 4-6 weeks after unprotected sex or sex with a new partner. If you are uncertain about whether or not to get tested, speak to your medical provider.

Student Health Services does not offer abortions. The Bronco Wellness Center can assist you in finding the services and resources that you need.

Yes, you can. To avoid STIs make sure that you are keeping the toys clean and covering the sex toys with a latex barrier if you are sharing them with a partner or partners. Also, consider the material your sex toy is made of, type of lubrication and follow all care instructions.

Anal play includes touching the anus with hands, fingers, sex toys or anal intercourse. Some people like anal play and some don’t. It is not weird or concerning to like anal play. About 4 out of 10 people have tried anal intercourse (Planned Parenthood, 2011) and it all depends on what you’re comfortable with, communication with your partner and consent to engage in anal sex. Some ways to make anal play more pleasureable and safer is to use lubrication and latex barriers.

Ejaculation happens for some people and for some, it doesn't. Not ejaculating can happen for a variety of reasons, including certain medications, depression, and stress. Communicating with your partner about what you like and what feels good can also make the experience more enjoyable. Not ejaculating doesn't mean there is anything wrong or sex was not pleasurable. If you're experiencing erectile disfunction or concerned that you aren't ejaculating, speak to your medical provider.

The most effective birth control options are the implant and the IUD. To learn more about these options and how to get these methods, visit our page on preventing pregnancy.

Once you turn 21, it is recommended that a pap test be done every three years unless otherwise stated by your healthcare provider.

It can be uncomfortable to talk to your partner(s) about getting tested or their history with STIs but it’s important to have this conversation BEFORE you start having sex, including oral sex. Here are some ways to start the conversation:

“This is hard for me to talk about, but I care about you and I think it's important. How do you feel about going to get tested for STIs together?”

“FYI, I got tested for STIs last month and I didn’t have anything. Have you ever been tested? I want us to make sure we’re taking care of each other.”

“I think it’s important to be honest, so I want to tell you that I got tested for STDs last month and found out I had chlamydia. I took medicine, and I don’t have it anymore. But it showed me how common STIs are. Have you ever been tested?”

Source: Planned Parenthood

Vaseline should never be used with a latex condoms. Vaseline can degrade the latex and cause the condom to break. You can use water-based lubricant or silicone-based lubricant.

Washing with warm soapy water. If the penis is uncircumcised, retractl the foreskin and also use warm soapy water to clean. 

Some people experience more pleasurable sex alone than with their partner. Don’t be afraid to communicate with or show your partner what you like and don’t like.