Sex and Relationships Editor Christina Murphy reminds students the importance of practicing safe sex when coming to college.
Hook up culture has forever been and forever will be a part of college life, especially during those first few months that span between freshers week until halloween. As much fun as it can be, it's also important to take care of yourself and your sexual health.
While students enjoy their newfound sense of freedom when starting college, meeting new people, attending parties, the combination of socialising and alcohol indefinitely leads to an increase in casual hookups. These hookups don't always abide by the safe sex recommendations, and numerous times will lack even the basic protection of a condom. Resultingly, the rates of sexually transmitted infections often rise during the first few weeks and months of the college academic year.
Many of these infections, including chlamydia and gonorrhea are asymptomatic initially and the person carrying them may be unaware. They can feel and appear perfectly healthy and still transmit STIs to others.
However, usual symptoms to keep an eye out for would include unusual amounts of discharge or painful urination. If something appears to be irregular down there, it's important to seek professional advice before continuing on any other sexual endeavours.
Other symptoms to keep on the radar include genital discomfort, pelvic pain, pain during sex, rashes, irritated skin or unusual bleeding.
UCD itself offers confidential health services directly through the UCD Student Health Service which is located upstairs in the Student Centre on the Belfield Campus. They offer both non-symptomatic and symptomatic STI screenings that are strictly confidential and not shared with academic departments, teachers, or even parents. There is also the free testing alternative, the HSE-partnered Home Testing Service. Students who are 17 or older and who are living in Dublin can order a kit to their student accommodation. It will arrive in a plain package and the results will be returned securely by text or phone call within seven days. More information on this can be found on the UCD Sexual Health page online.
UCD also facilitates the national free contraception scheme for all students between ages 17 to 35. This includes consultations, prescriptions, emergency contraception, and, most importantly, condoms. All across campus students have access to these free condoms. They should be taken and used for what they are intended for. By doing so, this decreases the risk of accidentally spreading or contracting a disease or infection, while still enjoying exploring sexuality. Condoms and lubricant, if not found around campus, can also be located at the main Student Union Help Desk in the Student Centre.
These final words of advice should go without saying, but it is equally as important to remember to continue practicing active consent. Sex, amongst other things, is all fun and games until you find yourself an unwilling participant. College is the time to express yourself and explore your sexuality, but remember that at all times all parties must be willing, with consent ongoing, mutual and freely given. While you’re at it, take care of your own sexual health, before, after, and during the act.