Ask Nurse Betty

CLOCK PHOTO / JEN TEPPER

College students ask more questions than any other demographic, especially questions about sex. The Features section is offering  a forum where Plymouth State University students have the opportunity to ask questions and to subsequently have them answered by The Clock newspaper Nursing Major affiliate. Here are this week's inquiries:

What are some ways to ensure my sex life i s a safe one?

Knowledge is power! Knowing who you’re sleeping with, who they’ve slept with, and how to use contraceptives properly is key to ensuring your sexual safety. When entering a sexual relationship with someone it’s always good to have a conversation about past partners and possible STD’s they’ve had or come into contact with. And though this can make for quite an uncomfortable conversation, finding out your risks before being intimate can be the difference between getting Genital Warts or not, so have that conversation today! Another great way to stay proactive with your sexual safety is to get regular STD screenings. The amount of checks you should get each year is dependent on how sexually active you are (the more partners you have, the more screenings you should get), but a good base line is to get a STD panel done at least twice a year. In college, one-night stands and the “hookup culture” is very prominent, sometimes you just don’t get to have those safe sex chats with your partner beforehand. In this case your best ally is the proper use of contraceptives, and were not just talking about condoms and the pill anymore. Medical companies have come out with amazing new inventions so people can have safe sex lives, so go educate yourself! A great resource for looking up different forms of contraception and the proper ways to use them is at these links, check it out!  http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-info/birth-control 

http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/topics-issues/contraceptives/1278-contra 

How would I be able to tell, as a woman, if I had an STD?

Some STD’s are hard to identify externally on the body because the STD virus may lay dormant in your system, waiting for a time when your immune system is compromised to cause an outbreak, such as the case with Genital Herpes. Other STD’s, most commonly bacterial infection STD’s are easier to identify. Burning, itchiness, abnormal odor, discharge, and discoloration are all good indicators that something is not right downstairs. If you think that you may have contracted an STD get in contact with your doctor or local clinic immediately, it’s a lot better to be wrong about having an STD than waiting until it’s obvious. Here’s a great resource to reference when you have STD related questions. http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/

If someone were to be sexually assaulted and need immediate attention or crisis help, where can they go?

In the case of sexual assault or rape there are several roots a victim can take, but it’s dependent on what they want and feel comfortable with. Immediately after an assault if the survivor wishes to report the incident they should immediately get in contact with the local police. 1 in 4 women report each year of being sexually assaulted on a college campus. This statistic doesn’t represent the hundreds of other individuals each year that remain silent after an attack. If you or someone you know has been victimized by sexual violence please contact these outlets offered on campus.

University Police- 603-535-2330

Voices Against Violence- 603-536-1659

Counseling Center- 603- 535-2461

RAINN- https://www.rainn.org/public-policy/campus-safety (Online Resource)

What resources are available on campus that offer health services and sex education?

Plymouth State offers several different outlets of information for sex education. Contact Health services or the Sage Center for all of your questions and to get free condoms! 

S.A.G.E Center-603-535-2387

Health Services- 603-535-2350