It’s the subject we all like to tiptoe around, but don't forget it just because it's Freshers' Fortnight! Do yourself a favour and make sure your knowledge is up to date.


We all know that safer sex means avoiding unwanted pregnancy and STIs. While you may see this as a remote possibility, too many students have suddenly found themselves waking up to the reality of their world being suddenly and irrevocably changed – and the worst thing is it’s so easy to avoid.

Facing up to it

Staring the problem straight in the face at an early stage is the best attitude to take. If you are the sort of person who intends to embrace the social side of being a student, you may well find that you will find yourself in positions where your judgement may be ‘impaired’, so listen up now. First of all, stories of bed hopping antics on an Olympic scale are mostly, well, stories. That said, you should prepare for when the beautiful occasion arises.

Testing: no taboo

These days, getting yourself ‘tested’ is a long, long, way from being taboo. In fact – the reverse is true. Having a sheet from the local GU Clinic with a neat column of ticks on it enhances your attractiveness! It is common to get a sexual MOT between partners, and if the mood is right, whip out this flat aphrodisiac at the appropriate time to demonstrate your responsibility!

Myths and rumours

So – onto the deed itself. As we all know, the safest and most effective method is the condom. You may have been told – or experienced – that condoms reduces sensitivity for guys, but what a lot of people don’t realise is that they come in different thicknesses and sizes, finding the one best for you can totally transform your experience. What a lot of people also fail to realise is that using lubricants with condoms makes things a whole lot more sensitive, and can really add to the intimacy of the moment. Of course, there may be some awkwardness if you whip out a whole range of ‘accessories’ if you have only just met your partner. In a lot of cases there is shyness on both sides which can be diffused if you monitor the mood and are honest with each other.

What else?

If you find that you enter into a steady relationship - and have both come back healthy from a check at the GU clinic – you may wish to move beyond condoms. There are lots of ways to avoid pregnancy, most obviously the pill and the coil. While some girls feel that the pill is an unwelcome tampering with their body’s chemistry, the truth is that the chemicals used are natural hormones and these days are very sophisticated with minimal impact. The coil too is a well established method, more convenient but with a higher chance of becoming pregnant, so consider supplementing it with a spermicidal cream. Of course, you should always consult your GP or the family planning clinic to ensure that you get the right method for you.

4 steps to, er, heaven

So to conclude guys & gals, here’s a summary of how to get the best from your time here:

• Take a condom in your wallet, it doesn’t weigh anything and is very useful!
• Don’t drink too much - it can affect performance and more importantly, your sense of responsibility
• Experiment with different types of condom
• Treat your sexual health seriously, it is no-one else’s responsibility

More information and advice

• Emergency Contraception & family planning
  Ella Gordon Unit
  St Mary's Hospital
• Telephone: (023) 9286 6301

• The Department of G.U. Medicine
  St Mary's Hospital
• Tel: (023) 9286 6796

Finding St. Mary's Hospital

• Milton Road
  Portsmouth
  PO3 6AD - click here for a map

Related links

• NetDoctor.co.uk's sex and relationships pages
  (UPSU.net is not responsible for the content of external websites!)
  

Talk about it on the forums

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