Back-to-school season can be a very exciting time, bringing new experiences and opportunities. For some, particularly college students who might be away from home for the first time, this excitement can inspire a sense of independence and hope, as well as increased sexual interactions.
As summer comes to an end, we turned to Dr. Divya Shenoy, director of primary care at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW), to clear up some common areas of confusion when it comes to sexual health and share tips on how to stay safe.
Spreading awareness about STI testing
Normalizing the conversation around STIs and increasing access to STI testing are high priorities for PPMW’s health care staff. Regular STI testing is important for all sexually active people, regardless of age, and the PPMW health services team is prepared to answer any questions related to STI testing, during both in-person and telehealth appointments.
Dr. Shenoy says, “Anyone who is sexually active could be exposed to common STIs, like human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, or herpes, at some point in their lives.”
If you experience symptoms such as genital warts or sores, abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina, or burning with urination, it is important to get evaluated immediately, but there may be no symptoms at all. With this in mind, we suggest that, in addition to using external or internal condoms, sexually active people get tested regularly, even if you don’t think you have been exposed. Effective treatments are available for most STIs.
PPMW’s health services team is ready to provide you with any STI tests you might need, depending on your symptoms. Typically, these tests are administered via urine sample, blood draw, or a swab collected by yourself or the clinician. Even for patients presenting no symptoms at all, PPMW can provide screening for multiple STIs in a quick and confidential visit.
A PPMW sex education kit, including sexual health information and resources
Accessing PPMW services
We understand that young people may be reluctant to seek STI testing, birth control, or other sexual and reproductive health services out of concern that their parents would know about their sexual activity. At PPMW, we maintain the privacy of all patients, including minors. Dr. Shenoy notes that patients who are unable to access our health centers can speak with our team virtually instead. She explains, “You can do a telehealth consultation and get the testing done at LabCorp. They have locations all over the nation.”
We know that cost can be a major barrier to care, especially for young people who may not be comfortable using their family’s insurance. To ensure that payment doesn’t stand in the way of essential care, PPMW offers payment assistance options, including low-cost or sliding scale treatment and funds to provide support for some services.
Some of PPMW’s services include:
- STI testing and treatment
- Contraception, like birth control pills, implants, and IUDs
- Abortion care
- Primary care
- PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis
- Gender-affirming hormone therapy
Vaccines and immunizations
As students return to school and we begin spending more time indoors, it is important to protect ourselves from the cold, Flu, and other respiratory illnesses, which thrive in enclosed spaces like school buildings and can be spread through droplets via coughing, sneezing, talking, kissing, or sharing food and drinks.
Dr. Shenoy says that an important way to protect ourselves from transmissible illnesses is by staying current on all recommended vaccines and immunizations. She says, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend getting the Flu vaccine and updated COVID vaccine by the end of October this year.”
HPV, also known as the human papillomavirus, is an STI that can cause genital warts as well as an increased risk of cervical, oral, and anal cancer. PPMW offers the HPV vaccine at our health centers, and it’s an important way to decrease your risk of transmission.
Understanding and recognizing consent
Another key aspect of sexual health is learning how to set clear boundaries with your sexual partner and recognize consent. Dr. Shenoy cites the definition of consent from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), as an ongoing process of discussing boundaries, as well as an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity.
The concept of enthusiastic consent takes this definition a step further. In any sexual encounter, it’s essential that both you and your partner receive a positive expression of consent, rather than an absence of a “no.”
“Things like smiling, nodding, and maintaining eye contact can help affirm enthusiastic consent, but it is important to note that verbal confirmation is still needed,” says Dr. Shenoy.
One of the most important details of consent is that a person can choose to stop giving consent at any time. No means no, and the only person who is entitled to your body is you.
Carrying this understanding of consent with us in our everyday lives, beyond just the sexual context, helps us protect our overall physical and mental health. By setting clear boundaries, and respecting the boundaries of others, we can develop healthy relationships and feel more in control of ourselves and our well-being.
To prepare for back-to-school season with STI screenings, immunizations, birth control, or other sexual and reproductive health services, make an appointment at PPMW today.
Tags: Students, wellness, Sexual Health