Don’t know where to start? That’s understandable! Many people don’t have any formal education about sexual health. For those who received formal education in schools, the quality of the education is often substandard. For example, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, a national non-profit organization, gives Texas’s sexual education an “Overall State Policy Grade” of D+.
Texas public school sexual education policies and curriculum receive this abysmal grade in part due to sex ed being optional, requirements for emphasizing non-evidence-based approaches (i.e. abstinence emphasis), requirements for anti-LGBTQ lifestyle statements and lack of instructional requirements around consent. This shortcoming in formal education, combined with stigmatized messages about sexual health, can lead people to feel powerless about their health.
As a physician at Trinity’s Student Health Services, I advocate for students to become informed as the first step in their sexual health plan. Our healthcare team welcomes conversations about genital anatomy, sex, pregnancy prevention, relationships and consent, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, testing and treatment. You don’t have to be engaging in sexual activity to consult with a care provider about your sexual health.
An “annual checkup” can be your opportunity to ask questions. Some questions that we encounter often are: “Is everything looking normal down there?,” “Is it ok to have sex when I’m on my period?,” “Do I need to use HIV preventive medications?” and “How do I tell my partner I want them to get STI tested?” These questions may be uncomfortable to ask a care provider directly.
To help overcome any awkward feelings, when students visit Health Services, they are able to list questions or concerns in an online form within their “Patient Portal.” But trust me, if you’re thinking it, someone has asked before!
Other opportunities to increase your knowledge can be found at Trinity’s Wellness Services department events. The Peer Health Educator team hosts awareness weeks pertaining to sexual health one to two times per semester, as well as weekly “Wellness Wednesdays” in Coates, where a variety of health topics are presented. You can stay informed by checking LeeRoy or following the @tu_well Instagram. We also recommend online resources from Bedsider Providers, Planned Parenthood and the Coates Library Sexual Health Resource Guide.
Beyond education, a sexual health plan should include some advanced thinking about the type of sexual activity you want to be engaged in (if any), what you find pleasurable and how you will share this with your partner(s); how you will maintain your boundaries (i.e. avoiding mixing sex and alcohol); how you will protect against STIs (i.e. condoms, STI testing, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis); how you will talk with partners about your boundaries and STI prevention practices; and how you will be in control of your reproductive health (ie. condoms, birth control).
For low-cost contraceptive care or annual preventive appointments, call Health Services (210-999-8111). You can self-schedule online at our patient portal (gotu.us/healthservices) for STI screening appointments — there’s no cost for the visit and low-cost rates for comprehensive lab testing. Additionally, Wellness Services is partnering with KIND clinic this semester to bring free comprehensive STI testing events to Coates Student Center on March 5 and April 16. Follow @tu_well on Instagram or check the LeeRoy daily newsletter for more information.
Although this sexual health plan may sound less like a gift and more like an assignment, the increased confidence that you will feel knowing that you’ve taken steps to set your boundaries and keep yourself healthy can reduce anxiety, increase intimacy with your partner(s) and ensure your sexual health now and in the long-term. That’s a gift that I think you all deserve this Valentine’s Day!
Sincerely,
Marcy Youngdahl, MD
Director of Integrated Counseling, Health and Wellness Services
