Know your sexual health

Sex is great.

Now that I have your attention, a clean bill of sexual health is even better.

That is why I slipped my feet into gynecologist stirrups last week and braced myself for the annual check-up.

Keeping your sex life healthy and happy is important for your partners and, more importantly, yourself.

My friend J. Lo is a great example, as she absolutely loves sex.

Upon seeing a new guy, J. Lo immediately picked up her Nuva Ring prescription and prepared for her fantasies.

The guy insisted they wear condoms until they knew each other better, and J. Lo was furious.

Jokes about wrapping it up aside, wearing a condom is the best way to defend against STDs, save abstinence.

Condoms are not a free pass, however; STDs such as herpes are spread by skin-to-skin contact.

The Center for Disease Control announced that 19 million new STD infections found their way into America’s passion parcels in 2007, as well as 1.4 million cases of chlamydia.

So obviously, we as a nation are getting pretty busy.

If you are getting busy, it is important to be smart.

Let’s talk Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Although some people do not develop symptoms from HPV, some do.

The most extreme of these is cervical cancer.

Men and women can both be carriers of HPV without knowing.
If you are sexually active, receiving an HPV test or vaccine is recommended.

A great primary resource for good sexual health is Isabella County’s Central Michigan District Health Department. The department can be reached at 773-5921, and no patient is denied because of an inability to pay.

Central Michigan University also provides a great resource through University Health Services. Any student who wants HIV testing and counseling can call Health Services at 774-5693 for testing times.

Tests cost $15, less than many of us spend on a night at the bar.

Health Services also offers STD testing; students may call the above number to schedule an appointment. For more information about University Health Services, visit cmich.edu/University_Health_Services.

So what if you have an STD? Relax; I promise it is not the end of the world. Many STDs such as chlamydia and syphilis clear up with medication.

Medication for herpes, such as Valtrex, allows many users to have perfectly healthy sex lives and lessens the chance of passing herpes on to a partner.

I say “lessens” because it does not remove the risk.

The most important thing to do if you have an STD is to be honest with your partner.

When you do go in for your annual check-up (and I hope you do), keep in mind the doctors are not testing you for STDs unless you ask.

Explore the resources available, and make informed decisions.

Then hop into bed and do what you do.