As a young person entering college, there are several experiences you may have — including love and sex. Young people aged 15 to 24 account for over half of the nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections that occur each year in the U.S., meaning it’s extra important for this population to be aware of safe sex and reproductive health.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can have seriously long-lasting consequences, outside of unwanted pregnancy or social stigma. More than 20,000 women become infertile each year as a result of undiagnosed and untreated sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Furthermore, some sexually transmitted diseases can’t be cured — even if they can be managed by medication to undetectable levels. This can hold implications for many aspects of your life, including your ability to donate blood, donate an organ to a family member or carry an organ donor card. Don’t let one sloppy, or uninformed decision shape the rest of your future. Being informed and making smart choices when it comes to sex and reproductive health might be simpler than you think.

Most common STIs and STDs

While there is a non-zero chance for you to contract any kind of STD when you have unprotected sex with someone, according to the CDC, chlamydia and gonorrhea are reported at the highest rates among people ages 15 to 24. Other common cases on college campuses include human papillomavirus (HPV), and genital herpes, but most people with genital herpes don’t know they have this highly contagious infection.

There are several STDs and STIs that can present with misdiagnosed flu-like symptoms, or no symptoms at all, making them easier to transmit. Here are some warning signs that you might be experiencing STI or STD-related symptoms:

• Symptoms appeared only after you’ve slept with a new partner. 
• You experience painful urination. 
• You notice unusual genital discharge. 
• Sores or ulcers appear on, or around, the genital area, including the upper thighs or lower back. 
• You have constantly itchy skin on or around your pubic area. 
• You experience frequent urination or the feeling of needing to urinate often.

Different STDs or STIs can have different symptoms, with differing severity, on different timelines. It’s important to get routinely checked for infections and diseases if you are sexually active. Any urgent care or sexual health clinic such as Planned Parenthood can offer you a sexual health screening. Some testing procedures will require a blood draw, while others will only need a swab, or urine test. Comprehensive screenings may require a combination.

STI and STD prevention

There are many ways that you can prevent STI and STD contraction, and practice prevention if you have an active infection or virus. Depending on your lifestyle and preferences, any one of these options may work better for you:

• Abstinence: Abstinence is abstaining from or not having sex at all. While this is the arguably safest option when trying to prevent STIs and STDs, it’s certainly not the only option. Abstinence may be the best option for you if you’re actively in the contagious period, or if it fits into your spiritual or personal preferences. It’s important to note that you can still get an STI without having penetrative sex. Many STIs are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, which could include hands, mouths and other areas vulnerable to germs and viruses.
• Partner testing: Another way you can practice STI and STD prevention is partner testing. Either getting tandem testing appointments or sharing test results before you engage in intercourse is a great way to ensure the person you’re about to sleep with doesn’t have any active infections.
• Condoms: Condoms are one of the most popular ways to prevent STI and STD spreading, as well as unplanned pregnancies. Condoms work best when engaging in penetrative intercourse. For those with a latex allergy, several companies offer alternatives. You can often get condoms for free from sexual health clinics or student health services, or pick them up from any pharmacy.
• Dams: Dental dams go in front of the mouth before you engage in oral intercourse. A dental dam is a long, flexible piece of latex, or material alternative, that prevents skin-to-skin contact, but still allows for sensation and maneuverability. Dental dams may be more common at specific sexual health clinics, as they are slightly less well-known than traditional condoms.

These are only some of the ways that you can prevent the spread of STIs and STDs. The biggest takeaway when it comes to the prevention of these infections is to reduce direct skin-to-skin contact and fluid exchange. Skin-to-skin contact is how bacteria or viruses are exchanged.

LGBTQ+ prevention

LGBTQ+ safe sex and STI and STD prevention should be treated differently than non-LGBTQ+ prevention, as the risks are different. UCLA reports that people who are LGBTQ+ are more likely to experience sexual violence, while the CDC finds that instances of HIV and syphilis are higher among people who engage in unprotected anal sex. There are several things that you can do as a member of the LGBTQ+ community to decrease your chances of transmitting or contracting an STI or STD. These include:

• Wear a condom or use a dental dam: Condoms and dental dams are especially important for members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are at higher risk for STIs and STDs because of various types of sexual activity. 
• Take PrEP:  Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medicine that you can take to reduce your likelihood of contracting HIV. PrEP isn’t for everyone, and it’s important to note that it is not a treatment for individuals who are already HIV positive. PrEP is suited for people who engage in sexual activities that put them at higher risk for HIV, such as unprotected anal sex. 
• Communicate your status with your partner: Communication is the first step in ending stigmas, and preventing the spread of viruses. You should never engage in intercourse with someone you don’t feel safe having these conversations with. There are ways of talking about your HIV status with a partner that can reduce your feelings of anxiety or shame.
• Get vaccinated: Vaccines against viruses like HPV can help protect you from contracting the virus, which can lead to several types of cancer. Other vaccines, including Hepatitis A and B, are also particularly important for members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are at higher risk of contracting all three of these illnesses through sexual activity.  
• Find LGBTQ+-friendly clinics: Getting tested can feel invasive and uncomfortable, even if you’re not part of the LGBTQ+ community. For more sensitive populations, finding LGBTQ+-friendly urgent care is a huge part of removing barriers to vaccine access, STI and STD testing, and medications like PrEP.

Since STDs and STIs are more prevalent among the LGBTQ+ community, individuals who are gay, bisexual, trans and gender non-conforming are more likely to come into contact with an infected partner. You can talk to a primary care provider about solutions like PrEP, if you believe that’s right for you.

Practicing safer dating

Up to 90% of sexual violence on college campuses is committed by someone the victim knows, and more than half of these instances involve a date. Instances of sexual abuse can also contribute to the spread of STIs, STDs and mental illness. To avoid this, practice safer dating tips. These include:

• Tell people your plans, and stick to them.
• Avoid heavy drinking or heavy drug use on first dates.
• Keep your personal information private until you can trust a potential partner.
• Keep to well-lit, public areas for first dates. 
• Understand cues you can use to tell staff or authorities that you’re in danger.
• Communicate active STI or STD statuses up front.

These tips can help keep you safe when exploring new freedoms and dating preferences at college.

Practicing safe sex during COVID-19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) presents new health risks during in-person sexual activities with others, especially those outside of your household, where you may not know their vaccination status or social distancing practice. Condoms, vaccinations and open communication with partners are all crucially important not just in the prevention of STIs and STDs, but in the prevention of COVID-19 as well. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, get tested, and practice social distancing or isolation until the symptoms clear.

Types of reproductive health treatments

There are several reproductive health treatments available to you as a young adult. According to popular medical advice, people with vaginas should be getting a Pap smear every three years from ages 21 to 29, in order to screen for cervical cancers and other anomalies. Reproductive health treatments can help you detect cancers, prevent unwanted pregnancies, and keep other risks to your reproductive health low.

Birth control

Birth control is designed to help control pregnancy, but can also provide hormonal support depending on your needs. There are three main types of birth control:

• The pill: The pill is a daily contraceptive that works through hormone release. For the birth control pill to be effective, you will need to take it around the same time every day. The pill may be the most accessible option, as it’s the most widely known. It is also the least invasive, and least painful. However, it is only daily coverage, and missing one day of your birth control pill can result in unwanted side effects.
• The shot: Birth control shots include a regular hormone injection. There are three main types of shots: Depo-Provera, Sayana Press and Noristerat, which all utilize progesterone as their main active ingredient. The shot is designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies and regulate hormones over the span of a few months, rather than a few years. You will have to schedule your injections, and keep up with them on the recommended schedule, usually around every three months. The most common side effects of the birth control shot are weight gain and period irregularities.
• Implants: Implants include intra-uterine devices (IUDs) and arm implants like NEXPLANON. Different types of implants work in different ways, but they are all designed to be long-term solutions that work for several years. Getting an implant might be a painful procedure, depending on the sedation practices at your clinic. Implants can also cause cramps and period irregularities for a number of months. However, they are the best, low-maintenance, long-term option.

Because of the Affordable Care Act, birth control must be covered by insurance at no cost to you. However, this doesn’t mean that all brands, methods or removals will be covered at the same level. Reach out to your insurance provider for more specific details.

Vaccinations

As mentioned, currently you can get vaccinated against three viruses that can be transmitted through sexual activity. They include:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
  

There are no age limits to getting these vaccines, and the related risks are minimal. Once you turn 18, you have authorization to get any vaccine you, and a medical provider, deem necessary and safe.

Currently, there are vaccines underway for both herpes simplex virus (HSV) and HIV, but they are not yet available to the public.

Abortion

In some cases, abortion is the only course of action in saving a pregnant person’s life. These cases include ectopic pregnancies, cases when fetuses stop developing, and others. Due to the rollback of Roe v Wade by the Supreme Court, many states now have different rules and restrictions on abortion access, even in medically necessary cases.

Make sure that you’re familiar with your state’s laws, as they could have serious consequences. For example, Texas has programs under which friends or family who assist someone with accessing an abortion can be criminally tried. Traveling out of state for an abortion as a Texas resident is also illegal under these programs.

FDA-approved medications that aid abortions and miscarriage management, like Mifepristone, are also under fire by the Supreme Court. This medication can only be dispensed by a physician’s prescription.

Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception, often colloquially referred to as Plan B, is another option for preventing unwanted pregnancies. These pills delay the release of the egg, which can prevent pregnancies. Plan B is a great option for emergencies, and while there is no limit on how many a person can safely take, they are costly — up to $50 per pill — can only be purchased one at a time, and it doesn’t offer coverage as complete as other types of birth control.

Additionally, emergency contraceptive pills that use levonorgestrel, like Plan B One-Step and My Way, won’t work as effectively if you weigh over 165 pounds. Alternatives, like Ella, won’t work as well if you weigh over 195 pounds. Birth control methods including the pill, shots and implants don’t have this issue.

Reproductive health specialists

Reproductive health specialists, such as obstetricians, gynecologists and even endocrinologists are all medical professionals that can provide specialist reproductive care. For example, an endocrinologist can help assist individuals who are transgender with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), while a gynecologist can perform routine Pap smears, and assist with STI or STD treatment and diagnosis. If you have specific concerns, or want to talk to someone with more training, then seeking out a specialist may be the right call.

When it comes to specialized care, it’s important to be aware of what services and procedures are covered by your insurance, so you aren’t surprised by medical charges.

University student wellness center resources

Many schools have safe sex and reproductive health items and services availability, such as:

• Condoms and dental dams
• Lubricant
• STD and STI screenings 
• Pregnancy tests
• Pap smears
• HPV and hepatitis vaccinations

If you don’t have private or government insurance, oftentimes university health centers will have special insurance plans for students that you can opt into. This may help lower the barrier to treatment and preventative care on college campuses. You may also be eligible for certain government healthcare plans as a college student.

Additional resources

You can find additional educational resources for sexual and reproductive health below:

• CDC National STD Hotline: Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention STD hotline toll-free at 1-800-232-4636 for support in finding care.
• National Chlamydia Coalition: This organization was formed to address the high burden of chlamydia in adolescents and young adults by promoting equal access to comprehensive and quality health services.
• Advocates for Youth: Advocates for Youth works worldwide to fight for sexual health, rights and justice. They have a multitude of resources around sexual and reproductive health for young people. 
• National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center: The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center’s educational page offers resources for sexual and reproductive health specific to LGBTQIA+ individuals. These resources are often more inclusive, and written for individuals in these communities to understand and feel welcome.

Any of these resources can help educate you on sexual health issues. Maintaining a positive relationship with sexual health is crucial to staying happy and healthy. Many organizations are working to fight against the stigmas of STDs and STIs, which can prevent people from talking about them or seeking treatment.

Newfound freedom as a college student can be overwhelming and intoxicating — just don’t let it be the reason you put your health at risk. The prevention, and treatment, of STDs and STIs is a fairly easy process if you take a proactive approach.

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