They are things you already know and there are some you wish you didn't. And whether you're doing it or feel like you're the only one who isn't, it's important to know how to protect yourself when the time is right. When it comes to UB students and sex, staying informed about birth control options and sex can make a world of difference when it comes to their health and decisions. In this two-part series, The Spectrum takes a look at sex and protection for students of all ages.
While the stampede of girls in short skirts exiting the bus at Goodyear on a Friday night might give off the perception that the entire student body is getting lucky every weekend, the numbers say differently.
"I think you see a lot of random hookups," said Jessie Dresch, a freshman English major.
According to Sherri Darrow, the director of Student Health and Wellness, promiscuity is not as rampant on campus as it might appear. Of statistics taken from a survey conducted last year, which Darrow believes is representative of the student body from undergraduates to professional students, most are not overwhelmingly sexually active and have very few sexual partners throughout the year.
"We know from the statistics that most students have either no sexual partners or one sexual partner," Darrow said.
Darrow believes the numbers are a good indication of the student population and said that these figures are not different from national standards. Seventy-seven percent of students fell into the zero-to-one sexual partner range, with 49 percent having only one sexual partner.
Despite the numbers, some students believe this is a low estimate of how sexually active the student population really is.
"I think it's probably a little low, though I don't think it's a lot more," Dresch said
According to Kristine Huber, assistant director of SBI Health Education, the most common forms of contraception used at UB are the birth control pill and condoms.
"I think most students use condoms because they have the easiest access to them," said Lauren Huba, a freshman English major.
Outside of UB, and for most of the adult populations of both the US and other countries, other forms of birth control are more common, though the pill and condoms are still used frequently.
"At UB, the most common form of contraception is the pill," Huber said. "Worldwide, the most popular form of contraception is sterilization, either a vasectomy or tubal ligation," Huber said. "Behind that, the pill is most popular."
According to Darrow, about 42 percent of students use condoms when sexually active.
"A condom is the most effective means of preventing a sexually transmitted infection if you're sexually active," Darrow said. "Condoms are very effective in pregnancy and STD-prevention, especially if used correctly."
Even when using oral contraceptives, such as the birth control pill, students should still use a barrier method of protection to prevent transmittal of STDs, as well as providing a backup mechanism for preventing unwanted pregnancy.
"It's really not a good practice to not use a condom, even if you're using oral contraception, because it does nothing to prevent STDs," Darrow said. "In a sense, when you sleep with your partner, you're presumably sleeping with anyone else they've ever slept with."
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STD transmission. According to Darrow, out of 100 women who use condoms as their primary source of birth control, with typical use, only 15 out of 100 women became pregnant in one year's time. With perfect use, that number dwindles to two pregnancies in every 100 women.
"Perfect use of condoms means there is no breakage, leakage, and it is used with the right lubricant," Darrow said.
Many students choose to use condoms because they are easily accessible, and students tend to have the most knowledge of how to use them.
"They're easy to use," said Nicole DeNardin, a senior philosophy major. "Condoms have been the most recommended form of birth control taught to us since we were little."
Running a close second to condom use, 40 percent of sexually active students use the birth control pill, according to Darrow.
"The way hormonal contraception works is that it inhibits ovulation," Huber said. "If no egg is released, pregnancy cannot occur."
In addition to preventing ovulation, the pill makes the uterus an unfavorable environment for an egg to be fertilized.
"Anti-birth control people claim that hormonal forms of contraception will harm a pregnancy if you take it and are already pregnant. This is untrue," Huber said. "The fact is, the additional hormones will have no negative effects."
Regardless of the effectiveness of hormonal contraception in preventing pregnancy, the pill, patch and ring do nothing to prevent STDs. According to Huber, the only way to protect yourself from STDs is to use a barrier method, like a condom. She recommends people use that in addition to using hormonal contraception, or any other method they're using.
"It really isn't a good idea to have unprotected sex, even when you're in a committed relationship," Huber said. "You just never know, and we've seen many clients who had partners who weren't honest with them and they ended up getting an STI."
While many birth control options have little or no side effects, hormonal contraception can produce unfavorable side effects for students who aren't careful or don't discuss their options carefully with a doctor.
"The primary risk from hormonal birth control is an increased risk of heart attack, blood clot or stroke," Huber said. "It is really important to remember that these possible side effects are very rare."
According to Darrow, with typical use of the pill, there are eight pregnancies in 100 women using hormonal contraception as their primary method of birth control. With perfect use, there are less than one in 100 women pregnant in one year's time.
"I know a lot of girls on the pill for other reasons, too," said Kelly Fahy, a freshman undecided major.
Other benefits of the pill aside from pregnancy prevention include clearer complexion, more regular and tolerable periods, and it can treat benign ovarian cysts.
Different birth control methods work best for different students, and there are different things students should consider when choosing contraceptives. Students should take into consideration their medical history, as well as the consequences of pregnancy in their lives, according to Darrow.
"We're interested in students being healthy and having good relationships, including sexual relationships," Darrow said. "Some of (the decision) is what will work best, and some is what you will use continuously."
For example, while birth control pills might be an effective choice for some students, others may not be able to routinely take the pill at the same time everyday, decreasing the effectiveness of this method. Students also need to take side effects and health risks into consideration when choosing a contraceptive. Students who choose condoms should consider whether they would continually be used in long-term relationships.
Women starting hormonal contraceptives should keep in mind that weight gain is common when first taking the pill. In addition, certain health risks are present with different forms of birth control. Smokers, for example, should know that there are some birth control pills that present additional cardiovascular risks for those who smoke, according to Huber. Also, allergies and other effects on health can impact the decision as to what birth control methods to use.
"Some women may have an allergy to latex or spermicide, so methods like condoms or the diaphragm wouldn't be good choices for them," Huber said. "The most important thing is to have a discussion with your doctor and make sure to ask questions. Don't let them brush you off; it's their job to help you make the best decision for your health."
For different women, different birth control choices are better, and some may be more appropriate for women of different ages. While the pill or the patch may be great for a woman who isn't ready to have children but might some day, this isn't the most favorable option for all women, according to Huber. Those women who know they no longer want any children might choose to have a tubal ligation or IUD as a more convenient option.
Though condoms and hormonal contraceptives are the most common forms of birth control used by students, there are other methods available for students.
"Only about one percent of students use other forms of birth control, like Depo-Provera or implants," Darrow said. "The Sub-Board Pharmacy really had everything available."
Darrow advises that students will need prescriptions to obtain birth control that is not over-the-counter, which is part of ensuring that females who choose birth control will make a well-informed decision through birth control entrance counseling.
Darrow also advises women to have an annual GYN appointment.
While most students make the decision to use some form of contraception, there is still six percent of the sexually active population that chooses to not use birth control, according to Darrow.
"They're using nothing, either because they want to be pregnant or just aren't practicing birth control," Darrow said.
While pregnancy may not be a concern for some, STDs should always be considered when making any decision regarding sexual health. STDs, HIV and pregnancy don't discriminate.
"The most dangerous behavior is to be uninformed and to think that nothing can happen to you," Huber said.
"When most people come to college, it seems some have this idea that they just have to have sex," Huber said.
Despite the number of sexual partners a student chooses to have, they should never go without protection, according to Darrow.
"Really, the unhealthiest sex is unprotected sex," Darrow said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
