Health Promotion
Sexual health
Be informed about your sexual health. It is your sex life…stay up-to-date and be healthy. Expand each section below to learn more.
Sex and Sexuality Accordion Closed
Sexuality
Sexuality is how one expresses themselves sexually. Just because someone isn’t having sex, does not mean they are not sexual. Sexuality can be:
- How someone engages in sexual activity
- Sexual preference in how they have sex or with whom
- How someone identifies themselves (gender identity, gender roles, sexual orientation)
- How you feel about your body
- Sexual experiences, including intimacy, passion, fantasies, thoughts, and ideas
- Learn more about sexuality here, including gender identities and sexual orientation
Sex
Each person has their own definition of sex. No matter how you define it, different sexual acts can include:
- Kissing
- Touching (which can include body parts or sexual organs)
- Oral sex
- Vaginal sex
- Anal sex
- Sex with toys
- Masturbation
- And more!
Sexual healthcare
If you have it, check it! No matter what sexual organ you might have, it’s important to get it checked by your doctor routinely.
- Learn more about women’s healthcare, including pap smears, yeast infections and vaginitis, UTIs, birth control, and more
- Find out about men’s healthcare, which covers testicular screenings and UTIs
- Things that gay men, lesbians, and transgender people should talk to their healthcare providers about
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Accordion Closed
The only way to find out if you have a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is to get tested.
STIs are very common: there are more than 19 million new cases every year in the United States. The good news is that all STIs are treatable and some are even curable.
STI facts:
- Many STIs have no symptoms. You can’t tell if someone has an STI just by looking at them.
- By the age of 25, roughly one in two sexually active people will get an STI.
- Only about 50 percent of college students use condoms during vaginal sex, even fewer with oral or anal sex.
- College students under the influence of alcohol are the ones least likely to use adequate protection from STIs
How do I know if I have an STI?
- The only 100% way to be sure is to get tested, because many STIs do not show any symptoms.
- If you do have symptoms, you may notice unusual discharge, itching, sores, pain during sex, rash, or a fever.
- It is possible to get a STI without having vaginal intercourse. Not all STIs are spread in the same way.
How can I prevent STIs?
- Use condoms consistently and correctly. Health Promotion offers FREE condoms and barriers!
- Engage in abstinence for oral, vaginal, and anal sex
- Get vaccinated against HPV and Hepatitis
- Reduce number of sexual partners
- Get tested after each new partner, and always know your status
What are some common STIs?
Do you know the different types of STIs? Which ones are curable or which ones are most common among college students? Click the links to learn more!
Barriers Accordion Closed
Barriers (besides abstinence) are the only type of contraceptives to protect against BOTH STIs and unplanned pregnancies. They protect you from fluids that can be transmitted during sexual activity. Learn more about the different type of barriers there are – Maybe there’s one you haven’t heard of before! Safer sex means better sex for you and your partner.
External condoms
- 98% effective in protecting against unplanned pregnancies if used correctly and consistently
- Can be worn on the penis or with sex toys. Can also be used to make a dental damn.
- Carrying a condom in a wallet or storing in your car can cause the condom to break down and become less effective
- Primarily made out of latex (though non-latex options are available). Sheep skin condoms are not recommended.
- Flavored condoms can make oral sex fun, but are not recommended for vaginal or anal intercourse-they can irritate the skin
Dental dams
- It is possible to stay safe while going down on someone!
- Dental dams protects you against bodily fluids during oral sex
- It is a rectangular piece of latex that is placed on the vulva/vagina or anus
- Learn more about how to use dental dams and how to make one out of a condom
- Made out of latex and come in a variety of fun flavors!
- Add some lube under the dental dam to make things more pleasurable and easier to use
Internal condoms
- Non-latex pouch with two flexible rings
- These can be inserted into the vagina or anus up to 8 hours before sex
- 95% effective in protecting against unplanned pregnancies if used correctly and consistently
- DO NOT use at the same time as an external condom – It can cause rubbing and tear the condoms
- Puts the person on the receiving end in control of the contraceptive
- Learn more about internal condoms
Get tested for STIs Accordion Closed
Visit one of these clinics for STI testing (Prices vary by clinic).
NAU Campus Health Services: 928-523-2131
Coconino County Clinic: 928-679-7272
Planned Parenthood: 855-207-7526
North Country Health Care: 928-522-1300