Among the most common consequences of risky sexual behavior are health problems, especially sexually transmitted diseases. According to Sherri Darrow, the director of Student Health and Wellness, the most frequent health problems that students experience aren't sexually related issues. In fact, most common complaints include allergies, back pain and sinus infections.
While most students make the decision to use some form of contraception, there are still six percent of the sexually active population that chooses not to use birth control, according to Darrow.
Who has what?
An estimated one percent of the student population has genital herpes, while three percent have genital warts, according to Darrow.
While some STDs aren't life-threatening if detected early and can be cured, some are linked with complications, including cancer. Another serious result of unprotected sex is HIV infection, which currently affects approximately 0.4 percent of the student population. Diseases like this can become very serious if not detected and treated early, so it's important to get tested often, Darrow said.
"STIs are present on college campuses, though the prevalence is low compared to other things," Darrow said. "A lot are incurable though, and some like HIV are life-threatening."
According to Huber, UB is on par with the national average of students infected with HIV.
"In the US, approximately one in 250 people are HIV positive," Huber said. "So if you go by total enrollment in 2005, which was 27,220, and divide that by 250, you have a little over 100 students who could be infected with HIV, statistically speaking."
STIs are the main reason that students should still protect themselves by using a barrier method even when they aren't worried about becoming pregnant, said Kristine Huber, assistant director of Health Education. Furthermore, early detection can make all the difference, because even STIs that aren't life threatening can cause serious harm to the reproductive organs. Some STDs, including HPV, are also linked with certain types of cancer, so using protection as well as treatment is especially important.
Students are encouraged to prevent contracting certain STDs, like HPV, by being vaccinated. The HPV vaccine, Gardasil, is available through personal healthcare providers, as well as the clinic at Michael Hall.
Less than effective: Withdrawal, Natural Birth Control and Family Planning
Natural birth control and family planning methods, such as withdrawal methods, are alternatives to hormonal contraception and condoms. However, they have been proven less effective in preventing pregnancy, and do not protect from STD transmission.
Withdrawal, or pulling out before ejaculation, isn't a foolproof method, and can result in accidents - it does not provide protection from disease. Family planning and natural birth control involve a woman tracking her cycle for months prior to using this method to identify the "safe" times to have unprotected sex. This is the reason why it is sometimes called "fertility awareness" or "the rhythm method."
"It's still a form of birth control," Darrow said. "But withdrawal and fertility awareness are much less effective."
Methods such as these are sometimes ideal for those who are sexually active, but don't believe in using birth control pills or condoms because of religious convictions or other beliefs.
According to Darrow, 25 out of every 100 women who use the "rhythm method" become pregnant in one year. The withdrawal method doesn't provide much more reliable protection, resulting in 27 out of every 100 women becoming pregnant in one year's time.
Emergency Contraception:
Regardless of the birth control method you choose, no option will protect you 100 percent against pregnancy or STDs. Students should ensure that they are always using birth control correctly - if they aren't protected or the protection doesn't work properly, emergency contraception is always an option to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Emergency contraception, also known as "the morning after pill" or "Plan B," can be used within 72 hours of unprotected sex to prevent unintentional pregnancy.
"Emergency contraception works the same way as hormonal contraception," Huber said. "If you haven't already ovulated, it will prevent ovulation so no egg will be released. If you have already ovulated, it will (make) it more difficult for the sperm to come in contact with the egg, and it will cause changes in the uterine lining, making it an unfavorable environment for a fertilized egg to implant."
Students who are over the age of 18 can purchase emergency contraception at most local pharmacies, including the SBI pharmacy. Students simply need identification to prove they are legally able to buy emergency contraception over the counter. Students who are under the age of 18 need only to obtain a prescription from a healthcare provider to get the pill, Darrow said.
According to Darrow, nine percent of sexually active students reported that they or their partner have used emergency contraception in the past year. She recommends that any student who has had unprotected sex use emergency contraception.
Emergency contraception usually sells for about $45 at local pharmacies within the community. Sub-Board I Pharmacy provides emergency contraception to students at the discounted price of $25.
Similarly to the birth control pill, there are misconceptions as to the effects of emergency contraception on an egg that is already fertilized or a woman that is already pregnant. Contrary to the belief of some, emergency contraception is not "the abortion pill", according to Darrow. Should a pregnant woman take a morning after pill, the excess hormones will not harm the fetus or terminate a pregnancy.
"Emergency contraception doesn't kill a fetus," Darrow said. "It's pregnancy prevention."
For more information on emergency contraception, visit www.not-2-late.com.
Access:
While different birth control methods are sometimes difficult to obtain, the pill, condoms, and emergency contraception are generally easily accessible in New York State- especially in Buffalo. Health and Wellness Services provide free condoms for students, while the SBI Pharmacy sells them for discounted prices. Planned Parenthood, located at 2697 Main Street in Buffalo, also gives away free condoms, and can provide other birth control, as well as contraceptive counseling.
"I think access to birth control at UB is usually pretty good compared to other colleges," Huber said. "What I think is most important though is to be educated about what you're using, which is why services at SBI Health Education are vital."
Regardless of the availability of birth control, access won't improve sexual health if students don't use contraceptives properly. More often than not, birth control is much more effective and almost infallible when used properly.
"Human error is often the reason birth control fails," Huber said.
Students should also keep in mind that certain medical conditions, as well as physical impairment, can reduce the effectiveness of birth control and the likelihood of not using a contraceptive properly. Alcohol and drug impairment often result in birth control being used improperly, or not at all. Similarly, antibiotics and some other medications interact with the pill and reduce its effectiveness.
Victims of rape and sexual assault:
While students should always try to protect themselves and use barriers during intercourse, those who have been raped or sexually assaulted are often victimized without the use of protection. In this instance, both unwanted pregnancy and STD transmission can still be prevented, if the proper precautions are taken.
If you're the victim of a rape or sexual assault, you still have the chance to protect yourself. Victims should visit an emergency room immediately, according to Huber, and have a rape kit done.
"Make sure you take emergency contraception," Huber said.
Women who visit emergency rooms and take emergency contraception immediately after being raped significantly reduce the risk of becoming pregnant. Both men and women who are raped or sexually assaulted can prevent some STD transmission, especially HIV transmission, if they visit an emergency room immediately after the assault.
"Victims of rape and sexual assault can receive HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis at the emergency room in addition to emergency contraception," said Jane Fischer, the director of SBI Health Education.
Drugs provided to victims can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission and pregnancy, if taken properly and as soon as possible after the attack.
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Relationships:
According to Huber, the use of protection during sex is still important when having same-sex relations. Huber recommends communicating with partners, and regular testing for STDs - the recommendation for both straight and gay students.
"The best way to prevent STDs is to use condoms for all types of intercourse," Darrow said.
Even though the risk of pregnancy is absent in homosexual relationships, Darrow and Huber still recommend the use of a barrier method to prevent transmitting STDs. Using protection such as condoms is especially important when having different kinds of intercourse because of the higher risk of disease transmission.
If you are pregnant:
If you think you might be pregnant, there are many options available to you, according to Huber. UB students can get a free pregnancy test through SBI Health Education by calling 716-829-2584.
"In addition to the test, we provide options counseling and will support you in whatever way you need," Huber said.
For both UB students and community members, Planned Parenthood and Buffalo Women's Services also provide counseling for pregnant women.
Students can be referred to a private medical professional if necessary, Huber said.
According to Darrow, two percent of sexually active students reported unintended pregnancies last year.
"With 72 percent of students being sexually active to some extent, that adds up to be about 200 students per year becoming pregnant unintentionally," Darrow said.
According to Darrow, any woman who is pregnant can discuss her pregnancy with one of the medical providers at Health Services.
"Community referrals are available for termination or adoption or for obstetrics services, including pre-natal care," Darrow said.
Abortion:
There are healthcare professionals in the area that provide abortion services. Both Planned Parenthood and some private physicians can perform the procedure, though many doctors choose not to.
Currently, there are no restrictions on abortion in New York State, according to Huber.
"Women who live in New York are lucky because (this) is a fairly progressive state when it comes to women's health rights," Huber said. "There are still many women living in the US who have partners or a state government that dictate what they can and can't do with their own bodies, and that is really sad."
According to Huber, the costs of an abortion can range from $400 to $1200, depending on how far along a woman is in her pregnancy, and if sedation is used or not.
Huber recommends students take advantage of pregnancy counseling options as soon as they discover they are pregnant, and make an informed decision. Women who choose to have abortions need to have the procedure performed before a certain point in the pregnancy, according to New York State Law.
Final thoughts:
For women to protect themselves, contraceptives aren't the only factor involved in healthy sexual relationships. Darrow recommends women have checkups once a year, even if they are not sexually active. In addition, women should strive to have good relationships with their intimate partners, which includes good communication.
"Students should have mutually respectful and satisfying sexual experiences for both parties," Darrow said. "They should also consistently use a barrier method to prevent STDs."
While many women and men stay well informed about their sexual health, many don't know how to take control of their own reproductive decisions. Huber recommends that women know their rights and get educated when it comes to their bodies and sex.
"Take advantage of the services our office has for students," Huber said. "Empowerment comes from being informed."
Emergency Contraception prices within the community
SBI Pharmacy- $25
Wegmans Pharmacy- $43.39
Rite Aid Pharmacy- $97.79
Tops Pharmacy-$46.99
Target Pharmacy- $42.99
