SBI Health Education

It's Getting Hot

2011-05-16T14:54:00.001-04:00

By Courtney Bauer

Finally the sun is shining and some lucky people have already gotten a sunburn. Classes are ending and people are putting away their heavy winter clothes. This can all only mean one thing. People are about to get a whole lot HORNIER! Once you find your summer fling you’ve got to find some condoms. Come to SBI Health Education on South Campus or go to the ticket office on North and stock up last minute on FREE CONDOMS! Or if you’re here over the summer we will be too. Just call our office to see where we are located (716-829-2584).

Warmer weather does mean hornier people but it also means you have to find somewhere cool to hide your condoms. You cannot store them in hot temperatures. This means you should not leave them in your car, wallet, pocket, or bra. Also do not leave them next to your lawn chair for easy reach. They cannot be left in direct sunlight. They also cannot be stored somewhere very cold or moist. So if you go to the beach do not throw them in your cooler. If you plan on making waves at the beach just have sex right away so that you don’t have to worry about storing them.

Condoms are best stored in dry room temperature places. Great places to store condoms are the drawer of a night stand, next to your tupperware in your kitchen cabinet, or in a cute dish on your living room coffee table. Always remember to check for an expiration date and an air pocket with all of your condoms.

Happy Humping!

Benefits of Sex Ed in Schools?

2011-04-26T14:49:00.002-04:00

By Lars L., SBI Health Education independent study intern

The American Medical Association recently published a graph which accounted for the leading causes of death in the U.S., showing the public that lifestyle factors are becoming the greatest killers in America. The leading “lifestyle factor” cause of death was tobacco-related (about 400,000 people a year) and deaths due to firearms was 6th on the list (35,000 deaths a year). Following that, sexually transmitted diseases account for 30,000 deaths a year.

While it seems small comparable to tobacco, it is in my belief that it accounts for more deaths than it should. Hypothetically speaking if we were able to get everyone in the world properly protect themselves while engaging in sexual activity, we would be able to dramatically decrease the death toll due to STD’s, or even abolish them completely. With that in mind, it’s extremely frustrating to me that as civilized and developed as the U.S. is “supposed” to be, that we continue to suffer from this problem. It’s evident that something must change in order to see a decline in the rates of STD’s.

While some children may have their parents to rely on for education in the areas of sexual health, most will only know what they have learned from school, so I thought it would be useful to take a look into sex education in the U.S. Throughout the country, teens are now receiving less information on birth control, while receiving more information on abstinence-only policies. When asked about the shifts in formal education, one in five teachers believed that restrictions on sex education were preventing them from meeting their needs. When it comes to human health, I believe that disclosing information that could used to protect a person from contracting a disease should be considered a crime.

Currently, there is no evidence that abstinence only education delays teen sexual activity. Recent research has shown that abstinence only strategies lower contraceptive use in sexually active teens, putting them at risk for unintended pregnancies and STI’s. However, there is evidence that sex education programs that provide information about both abstinence and contraceptive use can help delay the onset of sexual activity among teens, reduce the number of sexual partners, and increase contraceptive use when they become sexually active. This information was provided by former Surgeon General David Satcher in June 2001.

Less is more, only when more is no good. In the case of sexual education MORE is good!

UB LIkes it Doggy Style

2011-03-10T09:00:00.003-05:00

By Courtney Bauer

The Spectrum’s sex issue was released on Valentine’s day and inside there was a poll about which sex positions UB students preferred. The poll revealed that the most popular sex position among UB students was doggy style beating out the conservative missionary position which came in third place. Of course doggy style can be fun but, after a while your knees are going to start to hurt.

Spring is coming. Any day now the weather will get warm and make you want to break out your favorite shorts and skirts. Your knees will soon be exposed to the warm spring air, which may make people ask why your knees are all red and bruised. So it is time to try out some new sex positions for spring. You could try the “prison guard” position. This position requires one partner to stand behind the other (front to back). Then the partner standing in front will bend over and put their hands behind their back. This allows the back partner to grab their hands, almost like they are handcuffing the front partner. Then they can thrust away! For an animated look at how this position works you can go to: http://www.sexinfo101.com/prisonguard.shtml but be advised that we do not endorse the comments others make on this site. This position is perfect for spring because you can avoid the tell-tale red knees of doggy style while still getting the same penetration angle as doggy style. What also makes this a great position for spring is the fact that it can be done anywhere. So while you are outside on your first nature hike of the season if the urge strikes you to get busy in the woods you can do so without the fear of getting pine needles or poison ivy in any strange places.

If oral is more your style you can try the “standing 69” position. This position is also easy on the knees and can be done in the woods. This position takes a fairly strong person to pull off. So if you found your perfect gorilla juice head at the shore this summer this position may be your dream come true. This position is classic 69 position only done standing up. One partner must hold the other partner upside-down and in the air so that both partners have their mouths on the other partners’ genitals. For an animated look at this position use this link: http://www.sexinfo101.com/sp_standingsixtynine.shtml This may required more protection than just condoms or dental dams. Depending on how much you trust your partner to hold you in the air without dropping you on your head you may also need a helmet.

If you are a die-hard doggy style fan and will settle for nothing less you can always get knee pads. Whatever sex positions you try for spring make sure you use protection and talk to your partners about what they are comfortable doing before you flip them upside-down in the woods. Free condoms and dental dams are always available at SBI Health Education in Hayes Annex C, on South Campus.

Happy Humping!

H.R.3 – No Taxpayer Money for Abortion Act Sponsored by Representative Christopher Smith (R-NJ)

2011-02-21T12:10:00.000-05:00

Written by: Rachel Pazda
I recently was made aware of a bill that is before the House of Representatives, H.R. 3 – No Taxpayer Money for Abortion Act. Based on the title it would seem the goal of Rep. Smith and others who are supporting the bill is rather straight forward… to stop taxpayer money from funding abortions. Fair enough, members of Congress have the right to propose bills for and against Reproductive Rights; it’s what makes our country great, the right to fight for what you believe in even when a person across the aisle disagrees with you. But the bill isn’t just about abortion funding; it’s about funding abortions that are being sought by rape victims.

Although it would be easy for me to, without pause, destroy the whole bill with simple logic and legal argument, I will focus on only one key point: Mr. Smith and his compatriots are attempting to redefine rape. The fight for rape to even be properly acknowledged in society has yet to be won, and if the wording in H.R. 3 is not drastically altered the progress made for victim’s rights will be effectively negated. According to the bill, only victims of “forcible rape” will be eligible for tax dollar assistance to fund the abortion of a pregnancy that was a result of the assault. The phrase “forcible rape” is not elaborated or defined throughout the rest of the text. Which raises some somewhat obvious, but non-the-less important, questions: What is force? Is coercion force? What about refusal to accept “No” for an answer? What if the rapist had drugged the victim, would that be considered force? Or is a rape victim only allowed to claim to be “forced” if she is covered in blood and bruises? If the victim is on life support due to her injuries and is unable to even request an abortion because she is in a coma, is that force enough? Or would the abortion still be unfunded due to the fact that since the rape victim is unable to make the decision it would most likely fall to the family to make the decision and since legally the woman cannot be forced to have an abortion wouldn’t it technically be illegal to fund the abortion procedure with tax dollars? Seems like a rather complicated, unnecessary can of worms that would re-victimize women who have been raped because Mr. Smith doesn’t want to pay for abortions with tax revenue. Perhaps I am wrong to believe that we should actually increase funding to help the victims of rape with counseling and medical services rather than decrease their aid, but I don’t think I’m wrong. It is wrong and irresponsible for our government to pass a law that is in its very essence a definition of victim blaming and minimization of trauma experienced by women who are raped, whether their bruises are in their skin or in their psyche.

As an individual, I ask you to take action and speak up! Call your Congress people and let your representatives in Washington and in your state capitals know what you think. I know I will make my representatives aware that I am not ok with this law and as citizens representatives they are obligated to vote as their constituent’s desire. I have included a link that can be used to find out who your representatives are if you are unsure.

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Just choose your state, enter your zip code + 4 digit zip code extension and click on “Contact My Representative”. You will be directed to your representative’s website.

Below is a link to the text of H.R.3.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h112-3

“It might be more worthwhile if we stopped wringing our hands and started ringing our congressmen.” ~Author Unknown

The "Ins and Outs" of Valentine's Day

2011-02-09T14:51:00.004-05:00

by Lauren Little
Assistant Supervising Counselor

St. Patrick has his day; ghouls and ghosts even get their own too. It’s only fitting that lovers should have a day on the calendar as well. By the 14th of February, whether or not Cupid’s pegged you from behind (no pun intended), you’ve undoubtedly witnessed the overblown commercialism that is the Valentine’s day blitz. Is there anything real or earnest about the exchange anymore?

Well, there’s a few ways to ensure that at the very least the sex is real, up to par, and, of course, safe:

-Planning. It’s what makes Batman the best at what he does and you can be guaranteed he does it in the bedroom too. If you can make it appear spontaneous, there are bonus points to be scored, but going to extra mile can be surprising in itself. You don’t need a utility belt to stash your condoms, water-based lube, and dental dams, instead, strategically place them around the bedroom or intended places of fornication. Wherever that may be. Remember if you don’t have time to strategically purchase your condoms and lube so that the middle-aged cashier at Walgreen’s doesn’t notice, come stop by Hayes Annex C on South Campus to stock up on your FREE stash. Oh yeah, and Lifestyles Ultra Lubricated and Durex Love condoms have snazzy red packaging that fits the Valentine’s theme.

-Be Creative. There’s no Oscar for Most Mediocre Performance. Think outside the box (or get in one if you’re into that sort of thing) and try something different. As long as it’s safe (no hanging from the ceiling fan that’s missing a few screws), GO FOR IT! Of course, make sure you and your partner discuss new positions, toys, etc before trying them out. Keep in mind, whatever your muse inspires you to try, always use latex! No one wants their most memorable Valentine’s Day to be the one they got Chlamydia.

-Be Romantic. Nothing says, “I love you,” like a Hallmark card and a box of Russell Stover. Oh wait, just about anything is more romantic than that. Instead of just shoving a box of chocolate and a few roses into your partner’s arms, place the otherwise inert petals in the bed and seductively feed your lover the chocolates. This harkens back to the Be Creative clause. Also, if you’re thinking about using chocolate in other, more imaginative, ways, it’s best to keep it away from lady parts. Nothing spoils the post-Valentine’s Day glow like a sugar fueled yeast infection. Yummo! However, guys, you’re free to go swim in the stuff if you so much as please (so not fair, right?). If are really looking to spice things up taste wise, condoms, dental dams, and water-based lube come in a variety of seductive flavors.

-Love yourself! You don’t have to commission a ten foot tall nude portrait of yourself riding a tiger, but don’t sell yourself short either! Don’t feel obliged to sleep with someone just because you feel the date predicates it; make sure it means something and you’re getting exactly what you want out of it. If it’s your first time with that person, make sure you use protection and discretion. If your only date for the night is with Facebook, close down the laptop and treat yourself to a nice candle-lit bath. Or, if you’re stuck in the dorms, go take a nice hot shower and take as long as you want in there. No one’s judging!

These are just a few of the many things to think about for February 14th. If all else fails, remember, there’s always March 14th.

Pi Day. Because who doesn’t like pie! (What were you thinking about?)

HPV Can Cause Cancer in Men!

2010-11-29T15:43:00.004-05:00

Written by Courtney Bauer

According to the CDC the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can cause penile, anal, head, and neck cancer in men. It is also a leading cause of genital warts. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. There is no HPV test for men. There is also no cure for HPV. HPV is spread by skin to skin sexual contact. Therefore, it cannot be fully prevented with condoms because condoms do not always cover all of the skin that is coming into contact with another person. This is the bad news.

The good news is that Michael Hall (Health Services) on South Campus is having an HPV vaccine clinic Wednesday December 1st and Tuesday December 2nd. They are giving the vaccine to male and female students twenty six years old and younger. If your insurance does not cover the vaccine Michael Hall has a supply they can give away for free. This is not a walk in clinic you must make an appointment by calling (716) 829-3316.

The vaccine that will be given is the Gardasil vaccine. This vaccine protects people against four strains of HPV. Two of the strains cause the majority of genital warts. The other two strains can cause cancer. The vaccine cannot cure someone if they have already caught one of these strains, but it can protect them if they have not. You can still get the vaccine even if you are already sexually active because you may not have been exposed to these strains of HPV yet so you can still be protected.

Fun in Flavors!

2010-11-29T12:23:00.001-05:00

Submitted by: Dominiqua Griffin

Flavored condoms? Edible underwear? Both are made to spice up your sex life! While they’re meant to be fun, you should still use them correctly to stay safe!

Edible panties are fun, but may involve the risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI). To ensure that you remain safe while giving oral sex, you can use a latex barrier (some call it a dental dam), which is a thin latex film. You must commit to using one side so that fluids are not transferred from your partner to your mouth, because STIs are transmitted through bodily fluids. It just creates a barrier between the genital area and your mouth. If you don't have a latex barrier, you can use a male condom split in half or cheap saran wrap. Cheap saran wrap is less porous and therefore prevents the transfer of fluids.

Flavored condoms for oral sex come in handy as well. They are preferred for oral sex over vaginal or anal sex, where they could cause irritation because of the sugary flavor. This can increase the chances of you or your partner getting a yeast infection. Before using them for vaginal sex, check the packaging to see if the company recommends it. If the condom is not recommended for vaginal sex then don't use it for anal sex as well because the same thing can occur - irritation.

Edible, flavored, or otherwise, have fun and be safe! Remember that SBI Health Education gives out free condoms (non-flavored), so come visit us!

Reality TV Has Gone Too Far

2010-11-23T10:09:00.005-05:00

By Shannon Gawel
Events Coordinator at SBI Health Education

OK, I put up with the shows about too many children, too many wives and too many tans. And I don’t mean that I sit through entire episodes. I mean I put up with the fact they exist. So, when I found out there was going to be a show on E! where brides-to-be were going to compete for plastic surgery for their big day, my stomach just sank.

There have been shows about plastic surgery before. In 2004, The Swan took “ugly” women with low self-esteem and gave them a coach, a therapist, cosmetic surgeons and a dentist. After a three month transformation, the panel would rate their achievement and see if they were worthy to move on and compete in “The Swan Pageant.” All of the people on the panel were legitimate experts, the surgeons were board certified, and the therapist had written several self-help books. And the main difference: the women didn’t have a “wish-list” of what surgeries they wanted.

On the aptly named Bridalplasty, premiering Nov. 28, the women will compete each week in challenges such as writing vows and honeymoon planning. The winner gets one procedure from their list. For example, if they won two weeks in a row, they’d get two procedures in two weeks. Besides making America look extremely shallow, it also has some ethical issues. Under the American Society of Plastic Surgeons code of ethics, "We're technically prohibited from giving procedures away as a prize for a contest. It totally undermines the doctor-patient relationship," says Dr. Gayle Gordillo, associate professor plastic surgery at Ohio State University. "The ethical and social implications of this [show] are frightening" (abcnews.go.com.)

Of course, every bride wants to look beautiful on their wedding day. That’s why it’s OK for them to splurge on getting a manicure, getting their hair and make-up done professionally-because it’s their special day. But, in contrast to this new show, who’s going to tell them they’re already beautiful without these things and more? This show might actually be playing into a serious psychiatric condition called Body Dysmorphic Disorder, where there is an unrealistic goal for the ideal image, and people that have this are fixated on supposed flaws.

I can only hope this show bombs after a few episodes. I don’t want to watch women put themselves through all that pain to be a pre-conceived idea of beauty based on a ridiculous societal standard.

If you need a better wedding show to watch, catch David Tutera on My Fair Wedding on WE TV. He makes every bride feel like a princess for the right reasons.

Remember, if (s)he asked you to marry them, they love you for who you are! You should too. There’s no one else out there like you, and if they want you to change how you look, they don’t deserve you.

Sources: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/bridalplasty-compete-nose-jobs-implants-dream-wedding/story?id=11663378&page=2 And www.wikepedia.org

One in 10 sexually active teens has same-sex partners

2010-11-08T10:36:00.000-05:00

Thursday, October 28, 2010

By Zach Gottlieb

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study suggests that nearly one in sexually active ten teens have same-sex partners -- almost twice as many as previous research found. According to a 2002 study of Massachusetts and Vermont teens, only 5 percent to 6 percent of teens had same-sex partners.

In the new study, 9.3 percent of teens said they did.

"Clearly there's a high rate of same-sex partners among teens, and we need to recognize any vulnerabilities that may be associated with these behaviors," said Dr. Susan Blank, an assistant commissioner at the NYC Health Department. Blank, who was not involved with the study, was referring to a lower rate of condom use and unwanted sex among teens with same-sex partners seen in the study.

The new research, published in the journal Pediatrics, looked at more than 17,000 teens in New York City. It found that teens who had sex with only their own gender or with both genders were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, putting themselves at greater risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of the 18 million new cases of STDs that occur each year happen among people aged 15 to 24.

Such risky behaviors included not using a condom during sex and having forced sex. More than half of boys who engaged in bisexual behavior didn't use a condom, compared to a fifth of those who engaged exclusively in heterosexual behavior. The difference was not quite as large for girls who engaged in bisexual behavior and those who engaged exclusively in heterosexual behavior, but it was similar: About half of the former didn't use a condom, compared to 30 percent of the latter.

About a third of those teens who engaged in bisexual behavior had forced sex at some point in their lives, much higher than the 6 percent of those boys who engaged exclusively in heterosexual behavior and the 16 percent of the similar group of girls.

Elizabeth Saewyc, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, told Reuters Health that these teens may engage in riskier behavior because sex education programs don't always acknowledge gay, lesbian, and bisexual relationships.

"Some teens I've seen tell me that they completely check out of sex ed because they feel what they were learning didn't apply to them," said Saewyc, who was not involved in the new study.

She suggested that educators need to acknowledge gay, lesbian, and bisexual relationships more often in sex education curriculums so that teens are more likely to listen and will feel more comfortable discussing any issues.

Though the authors of the new study report that the rate of same-sex partners is higher than previous studies, Saewyc pointed that this rate is actually similar to what she has seen in her own work and other studies.

In the 2008 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey, for teens who were sexually active, 8 percent of males and 10 percent of females reported having had a same-sex partner. In a study looking at the 2001 Minnesota Student Survey, 9.4 percent of teens reported having had partners of the same or both sexes.

Dr. Preeti Pathela, lead author of the new study, said the results may have been different this time around because some states do not measure same-sex encounters. Still, Pathela said, it's clear that some teens are more vulnerable to risky behavior and STDs than others. In discussing sexual relationships and potential risks, she said it is important that parents, educators, and researchers focus on behaviors and not just on sexual identity.

"How teens identify themselves doesn't always correlate with actual behaviors," said Pathela, a research scientist in the New York Department of Public Health and Mental Hygiene. "Behavior is a better measure of what's actually happening because teens are changing rapidly." SOURCE: http://link.reuters.com/gas77m Pediatrics, October 25, 2010.

Reuters Health

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp

Gay Sex vs. Straight Sex

2010-10-25T11:16:00.000-04:00

This is a very interesting and eye opening blog post. Definitely something to check out!

Gay Sex vs. Straight Sex

Were health risks about Ortho Evra (The Patch) hidden from consumers?

2010-09-22T11:17:00.000-04:00

Watch the video HERE.

Scholars Examine Cyberbullying Among College Students

2010-06-07T10:45:00.002-04:00

By Jill Laster
http://chronicle.com/article/2-Scholars-Examine/65766/

When Megan Meier hanged herself three weeks before her 14th birthday, in 2006, it sent shock waves through the small town of Dardenne Prairie, Miss. But when an investigation revealed that she had done so after being bullied online by the mother of a friend, Megan's death made national news and helped spark a wave of research on cyberbullying.

While much of the scholarship has focused on adolescents, work has also been done on the phenomenon at the college level. Ikuko Aoyama, a doctoral candidate in educational psychology at Baylor University, presented her work on sex differences in cyberbullying at a recent conference of the American Educational Research Association. She spoke with The Chronicle along with her adviser, Tony L. Talbert, an associate professor in Baylor's School of Education.

Q. What sort of differences have researchers found in male and female bullying?

A. Ms. Aoyama: In traditional bullying, sex differences are well documented. Males are engaged in more physical types of bullying, such as hitting and kicking; on the other hand, females are engaged in more indirect and psychological bullying, such as social exclusion or rumor-spreading. ... We looked at if the similar pattern was observed for cyberbullying contexts. In the beginning, the results on sex differences were inconsistent across the researchers. However, more studies have found that there are no big sex differences, like in traditional bullying.

Q. Why do you think that might be?

A. Ms. Aoyama: In cyberbullying, physical strength, or age or sex, is not a factor to determine if they are a victim or a bully, because they don't involve face-to-face interaction.

Q. How does the fact that this is all taking place virtually affect bullying?

A. Ms. Aoyama: Studies we have done did not identify "pure victims" or "pure bullies," and many students are in a "bully-victim" group. Because students can avoid face-to-face interaction and remain anonymous, it is easy for victims to cyberbully back others.

Mr. Talbert: From adolescence to high school to college, the technology literally becomes almost this great equalizer. It becomes this medium where people create these alternative identities—from Second Life to social-networking sites—but the rules as we understand them from bullying from a physical standpoint have completely changed.

Q. How does the effect of cyberbullying on the victim differ from that of traditional bullying?

A. Mr. Talbert: The impact from a psychological perspective hasn't really changed. Our laws have not really kept up, and our psychological education of using technology and its impact on the psyche has not kept up, either with the technology or the users of the technology.

Q. What are universities doing now to curb cyberbullying among their students?

A. Ms. Aoyama: I have never heard of colleges or universities limiting cyberbullying or taking preventive actions, but it is necessary to raise the awareness among administrators and students. For example, our school has "Alcohol Awareness Week" or "Eating-Disorder Awareness Month," and they have posters or speakers all over the campus during the week or month. I wish we could do something like that.

Q. The paper presented at the education-research conference says that "considering the fact that as many as 70 percent of middle- and high-school students have experienced cyberbullying, it is probable that the prevalence among college students will be higher" in the future. Why might that be true?

A. Ms. Aoyama: Many cyberbullying studies are focusing on middle- and high-school students, and there are few studies on college students. But I don't think many high-school students who experienced cyberbullying will suddenly change once they enter college, even though they may be more mature. I think they already learned that this is a way to put down others.

Q. Students coming to college in 10 or 20 years will be more comfortable with technology from a younger age. How do you think that will affect cyberbullying at a postsecondary level?

A. Mr. Talbert: As attitudes evolve and as the use of technology evolves among university students, what could be interesting is looking at it from a longitudinal standpoint. Here's this cohort of students in 2010—what happens in 2015? What's interesting is to look at digital natives from 2010, 2015, 2020, 2025, and see if we do have a shifting in the moral or psychological attitude.

Lubricant Use May Raise HIV Infection Risk During Anal Sex

2010-06-07T10:36:00.003-04:00

HealthDay

By Alan Mozes

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

TUESDAY, May 25 (HealthDay News) -- The use of lubricants during unprotected anal intercourse may indirectly raise the risk of HIV transmission in the receptive partner, among both men and women, new research warns.

Concern about the possibility is being raised in the form of two new studies, and revolves around the fact that HIV infection risk rises if other infections are already present in the rectal lining of the receptive partner, the study authors noted.

In that light, indications that some lubricants may contribute to a generally increased risk for sexually transmitted infections, and therefore in turn for HIV, are scheduled for presentation this week in Pittsburgh at the International Microbicides Conference.

Conducted between 2006 and 2008, one study -- which focused on approximately 900 residents in the Baltimore and Los Angeles region -- observed that men and women who use lubricants in general are three times more likely to have some form of a rectal sexually transmitted infection. The finding held regardless of gender, HIV status, condom use, and the number of sex partners the study participants had had in the prior month.

Although no specific lubricants were identified as particularly problematic, most study participants said they used a water-based lubricant (76 percent), while 28 percent used silicon-based products, 17 percent oil-based lubricants, and 6 percent said used a numbing lubricant.

The second study -- led by Charlene Dezzutti of the University of Pittsburgh and the Microbicide Trials Network -- looked at five of the most popular over-the-counter and/or mail-order lubricants, identified as such through a survey of 9,000 men and women living in 100 different countries.

All the lubricants were water-based, except for one silicon-based product.

The research team -- including collaborators from International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) -- did not examine the effect of lubricant use during actual sex. However, in laboratory testing, some of the lubricants were found to have a toxic effect on cells and rectal tissue, perhaps as the result of the dissolved salts and sugars the products contained.

PRE and Wet Platinum were found to be the safest lubricants in terms of toxicity, whereas Astroglide and KY Jelly appeared to be the most problematic.

"We know we can't make any conclusions based on this one small study," cautioned IRMA lubricant safety advocate Marc-Andre LeBlanc, in a news release. "Further research is absolutely necessary to understand the potential role of sexual lubricants in HIV transmission. We should be able to provide consumer guidance regarding lubes that are found to be safer than others."

"Some lubes are probably better than others, but we don't know where any of the currently available products fall along the spectrum from good to bad," added IRMA chair Jim Pickett.

"We must ensure that existing lubes don't facilitate HIV transmission," he added. "People have a right to this kind of information, and it's very past due."

Conference organizers pointed out that in the United States, 90 percent of men who have sex with men -- whether self-identified as gay or not -- engage in receptive anal intercourse. Between 10 percent and 35 percent of heterosexual women have done so at least once. And in either instance, condoms are often not used, while lubricants are.

SOURCE: International Microbicides Conference, news release, May 25, 2010

Is The Media Selling Sex to Young Adults?

2010-05-03T11:38:00.002-04:00

By Anais Morales, SBI Health Education Intern

Of course it is! The mass media greatly revolves around our society. Billboards, magazines, music videos and even commercials are selling sex to everyone, regardless of who it is. I would describe the media as an open market full of scammers. The media does not care who is watching or reading these ads, as long as the message or product is delivered to the general public. They are willing to brain wash consumers into their form of thinking in order to sell. Young adults tend to be easily intrigued and convinced by others. For this reason, the media target teens and young adults as their main consumers.

How can the media be so influential to young adults? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (2001), “by the time adolescents graduate from high school, they will have spent 15,000 hours watching television, compared with 12, 000 hours spent in the classroom”. These findings indicate that teens are spending more time watching television than in school, which can be problematic. Too much television can greatly influence the lives of young adults. “Nearly 50% of adolescents report getting information about birth control from the mass media. Four out of ten teens (40%) report that they have gained ideas for how to talk to a boyfriend or girlfriend about sex directly from media portrayals” (www.soc.ucsb.edu). Teens and young adults are utilizing information learned from the media to make decisions about their sexual behavior.

In my opinion, the media should not be the main resource for information that young adults seek for answers. Young adults are unaware of the messages that are presented to them. The media gives negative messages to young adults. For instance, while engaging in sexual activity, precautious acts are not portrayed before sexual intimacy. Why do you think that is?

The media is not educating the public on proper sexual behaviors, instead they are just selling sex because sex sells. And they take advantage of that. For this reason, the media controls the minds of vulnerable young adults to sell sex. We, as a society, should encourage community organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, and AIDS Community Services of Western NY, on educating teens and young adults on safe sex. Overall, the media should not be the main source of information that teens use; instead they should seek for professionally trained individuals in the community who will provide valid and knowledgeable information to make a “smart” decision.

Resources:
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;107/1/191
http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/article/sexuality-in-the-mass-media

Summertime! When the living's easy!

2010-05-03T10:56:00.002-04:00

By Rachel Pazda, Volunteer

Summer is just around the corner and we will all be going our way for a few months. Some of us have been accepted to that summer internship, some will be working to save some cash, while still others are just trying to make it through finals and will decide what to do with the summer months later. Whatever is in your day planner, don’t forget the most important thing this summer…. Personal protection!

Throughout the school year SBI Health Education offers sexual health education, counseling for women’s health and birth control, free condoms and STI/HIV counseling for all students at UB. These services are also offered during the summer time Monday through Thursday from 9am to 4pm. However, as most of us will be leaving for the summer, the office won’t be its usual bus ride away. So what options are available for the summer for safety and testing?

Most states have Planned Parenthood offices, Health and Disease Control Centers, HIV Prevention organizations, and of course, local hospitals. Your family doctor is also a valuable resource for you to use if you have any concerns for your health during the summer. Local drugstores have condoms and emergency contraceptives for sale, so take advantage of the opportunity to guard yourself against STI’s and unwanted pregnancy! In the case of domestic violence or assault, Crisis Centers around the nation are always on call to help you and give you any support you need, free of any charge.

Any question that you might have about anything, SBI Health Education is a great place to pick up some info before everyone heads their separate ways! Have fun and enjoy your summer break this year!

Infidelity on Campus

2010-05-03T10:49:00.002-04:00

By Stephanie Osei-Bonsu, Intern

Infidelity… a lot of things come to mind when we hear this term. Simply put, infidelity is cheating. However, in order for the act to be considered cheating there must be a mutual agreement of commitment. Often times its hard to prove this small fact because relationships are so complicated and how one person feels about commitment may be completely different from another persons view point.

As we all know college can be and is a life altering situation. For many of us that travel from different states or parts of the state, it can be our first time away from home and our “Parental Units.” For some people, this is an opportunity to step out of what they may consider to be a “sheltered” life and experience the many diverse cultures represented on campus. But amongst all the culture, diversity, and lifestyles, there is one thing that remains and probably will always stay consistent; SEX IS A BIG PART OF LIFE. The college mindset tends to be very freeing and very selfish; people look at relationships in an expendable manner and often treat new experiences like the army, “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL”. So although commitment may be present, it isn’t always communicated to new people who may become future dating prospects.

Add this already confusing equation to the college atmosphere and you have a possibility for dire results. As we all know, SEX CAN BE A GOOD THING, if not for anything, it’s how we all came to be. But it seems like for the college demographic, we have become so “SEXIFIED” that for some people, sex is as equally as important as eating. Because THE NEED FOR SEX IS SO IMPORTANT, as a generation, we have come up with labels for ourselves as a means to alleviate the stress and necessity of being in a monogamous relationship. Some of these terms are: boo, boothang, booty, booty call, friends, friends with benefits, and sex buddy.

When I decided to explore this topic for my blog, I automatically thought of the New Boyz song “You Ain’t Gon’ Tie Me Down”, TLC’s “Creep” and a bunch of other songs. The way I see it, if commitment is not your thing, then why bother having any form of relationships to begin with? Because no matter how much we may all want to deny it, developing some sort of feelings is inevitable. Why waste time hurting others and potentially even yourself? Communication, I have learned and am still learning, is the key to success in life. If we took the time to verbalize how we felt to one another, especially to those we are intimate with, I personally think CHEATING in relationships as well as marriages would decrease, which would most likely cause a domino effect and decrease the incidence as well as precedence of STI’s in our communities.

I remember speaking to a friend about a sexual encounter she was going to engage in. She and her prospective partner had never talked about relationships or their past or present, so she decided to bring it up. Come to find out that he had a girlfriend back home!! The guy was shocked that she had actually asked, he confessed to her that it was never his intention to even tell her of his girlfriend and that he was truly surprised that she asked him.

Whether or not you’re engaging in LATE NIGHT CREEPING SESSION, a word of advice, “BE WISE AND CONDOMIZE.” You never know what additional luggage your buddy may be carrying that they don’t even know about. THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOM OF ANY STI IS NO SYMPTOM!! CONDOMS ARE FREE ON CAMPUS AT THE SBI TICKET OFFICE OR SBI HEALTH EDUCATION.

16 and Abortion?

2010-04-19T13:40:00.002-04:00

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer

One of my favorite shows is MTV’s 16 and Pregnant. I tune in every Tuesday night. When it first came out, the creators of the show said they wanted to have a show that actually shows the struggles of being a teen mom. The goal was to scare teens into practicing smarter sex. Many people argue that the show “The Secret Life of The American Teenager” on ABC Family glorifies being a teen mom. The main character is shown looking great and going back to regular high school after having her baby when in real life, this isn’t usually the case. I applaud both of these shows for bringing up the issue of teen pregnancy and getting people talking, but WHERE are the ABORTIONS?!!!

Each year in the U.S. about one million abortions are performed. Fifty-two percent of those abortions are performed on women under the age of twenty-five. So, if there are so many young women getting abortions why are there no shows about teens choosing that option? After all, at the end of each episode of 16 and Pregnant the girls say that they were not ready to have baby.

Some people believe the abundance of sex on T.V. is encouraging teens to have sex at young ages. If this is true than the lack of abortion on T.V. is reinforcing to the teens that it is not an acceptable option. Perhaps networks don’t want to show abortion on their shows because it is a very sensitive topic? 16 and Pregnant does show some of the girls giving up their babies for adoption. However, the reality is that far fewer adoptions take place each year in the U.S. than abortions.

Most teenagers, if not all, are not ready to be parents. If teenage girls gets pregnant they need to have options available to them. If television shows showed more women getting abortions and talking about abortions, it would open teen’s eyes to the fact that it is still an option.

Gonorrhea, On Its Way to Becoming Incurable

2010-04-15T14:06:00.002-04:00

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer

Gonorrhea is in the class of bacterial sexually transmitted infections. Generally bacterial STIs are easily curable with antibiotics. However they are dangerous if left untreated but, treatment isn’t usually a problem until now. There are now strains of Gonorrhea that only one class of antibiotics will treat! In the past it was able to be treated with multiple classes of antibiotics. The bacteria that causes Gonorrhea has become resistant to all classes of antibiotics except one.

In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control took samples of gonorrhea from people who tested positive for it and found that 27% of those samples were resistant to three different classes of antibiotics. Gonorrhea historically has shown a trend in becoming resistant to antibiotics. So it is likely that eventually gonorrhea will develop a resistance to the last class of antibiotics that can treat it.

Gonorrhea will always remain on the list of bacterial STIs because it is caused by bacteria but, it will not always be curable. This gradual resistance to antibiotics could happen to all bacterial STIs. So make sure that you are always using protection when engaging in sex!

Remember FREE CONDOMS are always available at SBI Health Education in Hayes Annex C on South Campus. Stock up on a summer supply before you go home because gonorrhea doesn’t take a vacation even if you do.

Don't think there is a good birth control for you?

2010-04-06T16:03:00.002-04:00

Submitted by Kristi Dierolf, SBI Health Education Intern

That’s probably not true. There are numerous types of birth controls available to women. Before I get into what these methods are, it’s pretty important to note that contraceptives (birth control) methods do not prevent you from STIs! (Sexually transmitted infections), remember to still use a condom or another type of barrier method!

In case you don’t know, most contraceptive methods work by inhibiting ovulation (so, no egg is released!), thickening the cervical mucus, which makes it harder for the sperm to enter the uterus, and causes possible changes in the endometrial lining, which basically creates an unfavorable environment for pregnancy to occur!
The most common side effects for women taking hormonal contraceptives are breast tenderness, change in menstrual cycle, and possible weight changes. These side effects generally last up to 3 months, but vary depending on your method. Be sure to ask your provider for any side effects!

The most commonly known birth control is the pill, which comes in multiple varieties. Basically the pill works with your cycle, for the most part on a 28 day cycle. You’ll take 21 “active” pills, and then 7 “inactive” or placebo pills. You get your period the days you’re taking the inactive pills! There are different oral contraceptives like yaz and loestrin, which is 24 active pills, and 4 inactive, so you should have a shorter period with those. Now there is also seasonal/seasonique which are designed to give you your period only 4 times a year! Once every three months! Just remember, you want to take the pill at the same time everyday or it could lose its effectiveness!

Then we have the Nuvaring. The nuvaring is a slender and flexible vaginal ring that you insert manually. You insert the ring and leave it in place for 3 weeks, after the 3 weeks is up you take the ring out for one whole week, and during that time you should get your period. One of the greatest things about the ring, is you can’t feel it (And no, neither can your partner)! If you do feel it at all, it probably means you didn’t push it back far enough, so gently use your fingers to push it back, but don’t worry there is no chance of pushing it to far back or losing it, your cervix is going to prevent that from occurring.

Next, the Ortho-Evra patch. The patch is a thin beige square patch that you can wear anywhere besides your hands/feet and breasts. You put a new patch on once a week, for 3 straight weeks, on the 4th week, do not put another patch on, and that’s when you should get your period! Just a reminder, whenever you’re changing your patch, try not to put it in the same spot, just to avoid irritation! If you use the patch correctly, and avoid putting lotion by it, you don’t have to worry about the patch falling off.

The shot! The Depo-Provera shot is an injection that you get 4 times a year, given in either your upper arm, or buttock. Unlike the other birth controls I’ve mentioned, the shot does not regulate your period! It’s only protecting you from pregnancy. The shot is a good idea for women who don’t want to have to keep track of something every day (like the pill). However, since the shot is given only 4 times a year, your doctor may not prescribe you the shot unless you have previously used some other form of hormonal contraceptives, because you want to be sure you won’t have any serious side effects.

And finally, the IUD- the intra-uterine devices. The IUD is a plastic T shape device that gets inserted into the uterus by a physician. The IUD is the most effect form of contraceptive. There are currently two types, the Mirena, and the Paraguard. The Mirena can stay in place in your uterus for up to 5 years, and the paraguard for up to 12! Like I said, the device is inserted by a physician and removed by a physician, not ever by yourself! After the physician inserts the IUD you will come back a few months later just to make sure everything’s ok. There are some rare side effects to the IUD but I think they are important to note. There is an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, very rarely the IUD can be pushed through the wall of the uterus. Pelvic infection can occur after the insertion (to avoid this, use a condom for about a month after insertion) and there is a possibility of scarring during insertion which can lead to sterility.

There is a lot more information for each form of birth control so if you have any questions please feel free to ask! Make sure to talk with your doctor to see what type of contraceptive method is best for you.

STI Awareness Month

2010-03-31T15:47:00.003-04:00

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer

April is STI Awareness month. So why not get tested? Even if you don’t show any symptoms of having an STI you may still have one. Most STIs show no symptoms at all. Do you think you can tell whether or not someone has an STI? Well you can’t and they may not even be able to tell you whether or not they have one because they may not know themselves. This is why if you are sexually active it is a good idea to get tested regularly.

Did you know that by age 25, 1 out of every 2 sexually active young people will have an STI? Did you also know that half of all new sexually transmitted infections occur in people between the ages of 15 and 24?

There is good news in all of this, as UB offers STI testing options, a panel test. It is available to students who qualify for just $10. However, do not bring cash to your appointment it will be billed directly to your student account. Don’t worry though, it won’t say that you were billed for an “STI test” it will simply say “health services fee.” Your health care provider will decide what tests are right for you, so be honest about what you've been doing! Call Student Health Services and set up your appointment today (716) 829-3316.

Celebrate STI awareness month grab a friend, partner, neighbor, or even go by yourself and GET TESTED!

Fund Raising and Awareness

2010-03-29T11:53:00.001-04:00

Written by Kayla Maryles, SBI Health Education Events Coordinator and Education Intern

I believe that fund raising and awareness is an essential part to not for profit organizations such as SBI Health Education. I think a lot of people forget about fund raising and how it can benefit an organization tremendously. Many people within the health and human services field base a lot of their work solely on the client, the community, and education. I think that using fund raising, as a means of bringing awareness is a great, innovative way to include all of services provided in the heath and human services field.

One major example that I can think of is the V-DAY Campaign, which is a global movement to end violence against women and girls. In order for this campaign to make a mark, they have taken a creative approach to creating awareness about ending violence against women and girls. The founder of the V-DAY Campaign, Eve Ensler started the movement by writing a play called, The Vagina Monologues. This production sparked a very intriguing way of raising money for a cause. It incorporated the arts and theater while telling stories that empowered and provoked interest, laughter, sadness, and thought about some very serious topics involving women and violence. I believe that The Vagina Monologues is an exemplary model that showcases how fund raising can be educational and beneficial; not only because of raising money to be donated to the cause, but also by raising awareness.

Turn Your Head and Cough

2010-03-25T12:55:00.002-04:00

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer

Should men go for regular sexual health check-ups similar to when women go to the gynecologist?

My opinion is yes. If a man is sexually active he should be tested for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) regularly. The only excuse for a sexually active male not getting tested is if he is in a monogamous sexual relationship in which his partner has been tested and not found to have an STI. Being tested regularly is important because it is very possible that people may not know they have an STI. The most common symptom of an STI is having no symptoms at all. So even if you do not have any symptoms, sores, discharge, etc. you may still be carrying an STI that could possibly be transmitted to someone else.

When doctors hold the testicles of a patient and ask them to turn their head and cough they are checking for hernias. There is another good reason to check your testicles. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 35. The first signs of testicular cancer are most often found by TSE (testicular self exam). You can learn how to do this most effectively by meeting with a doctor.

Another good reason for men to talk to their doctor frequently about their sexual health is because if a problem does arises they will feel more comfortable talking to their doctors about it.

So if you love sex and love yourself visit a doctor for a sexual health check up or an STI test.

Disney Condoms

2010-03-17T16:42:00.000-04:00

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer

When Miley Cyrus was 15 years old, the condom company Lifestyles offered her $1 million to appear in their advertisements. She refused their offer. Is a 15 year old with a young fan base not the right person to promote condoms or, is it a good thing because it would get condom advertisements out to younger teens and thus bring down the teen pregnancy rate?

Does having a pre-teen idol advertize condoms decrease the age at which teenagers will lose their virginity? Are shows that teens watch such as “The Secret Life” on ABC Family or “Gossip Girl” on CW to blame for the increase of teen pregnancy? Some people believe that teen sex is on the rise because shows like these create an atmosphere where teen sex is accepted. According the Center for Disease Control one third of girls in the United States will become pregnant before the age of twenty, which is an increase from past years. So if teens want to be like the people in these shows then perhaps it is reasonable to say that if Miley is advertising condoms, and therefore advertising sex, then teens will try to emulate her by having sex. The other possibility here is that if Miley advertises condoms then teens will use them because they want to be like Miley.

So does Lifestyles have the right idea by trying to appeal to younger audiences or are they adding to the problem on teens losing their virginity at younger ages?

What do you think about this? Leave your comments on this page.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,393141,00.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/12504-teen-pregnancy-rates-usa/

'Sext' Me

2010-03-03T11:47:00.003-05:00

Written by Dana Shaffer, SBI Health Education Intern

What’s with teenagers and the outbreak of ‘sexting?’ ‘Sexting’ has become a growing trend amongst teens in the United States. Teenagers, these days, are more technologically advanced than ever before; their lives are hi-tech and digital. Their technological expertise intensifies their desire to entice and arouse their partner via technology. Vocabulary of this new generation, of teenagers, is provocative and sexually enticing.

‘Sexting’ is the act of text messaging with hopes of having a sexual encounter or multiple encounters, later on, with the receiver who is usually a boyfriend or girlfriend of the sender. ‘Sexting’ could also be a way to flirt or want to “hook up” with someone sincerely or in a more joking manner. Initially, it may come off as a casual and flirtatious gesture but as the fire ignites, between both parties, it may seem more and more sexually explicit and suggestive. Teenagers, who actively engage in ‘sexting’ seem to take provocative pictures of themselves and/or videos usually nude or performing sexual acts.

Popular culture and the social media contribute to the sexuality of our teenagers. “Teens have long associated sexuality with greater independence, personal control and a path to adulthood.” (www.theyoungandthedigital.com) Teenagers are experimenting with their sexuality; they long to overcome and explore their sexual curiosities. Mobile media and social networks, which are at their fingertips literally, are the biggest sources of exploration.

Teenagers use mobile media and social networks to express themselves because it is a form of private communication between two parties… unless of course one party decides to breach such privacy. This is a huge issue! According to research, 1/3 of teenage boys and ¼ of teenage girls say they’ve seen nude and/or semi-nude images, which were originally meant to be private. Such findings pose an enormous concern.

While the digital world is an incredible and beneficial aspect of society, we need to find a way to protect our teenagers and future generations from being exposed and humiliated. In my own opinion, teenagers and active participants in ‘sexting’ need to be aware of the consequences before they hit SEND. They also need to realize that technology amplifies the interconnectedness of people and society on a much broader spectrum; when you expose yourself, via technology, you are putting yourself on display for all eyes to see.

Vaginas Speak, Come Listen

2010-03-02T16:44:00.002-05:00

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer

Come hear women talk about vaginas. The world famous Vagina Monologues are coming to UB Sunday March 21 and Monday March 22nd. There are shows at 1pm and 7pm on Sunday and at 7pm on Monday. Tickets are $8 with a UB ID and $10 without. They can be purchased at the SBI ticket office or at the door, but hurry and get them before they sell out! All of the money from the show goes to programs that work to end violence against women. This year, part of the proceeds will go to help women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Vagina Monologues were written by Eve Ensler and are based off 200 interviews with women. Each monologue is a different woman’s story. Some of the Monologues are humorous and some are very emotional but, all are sure to entertain. The monologues will “make you laugh, make you cry, make you happy, and hopefully make you proactive in the end.” says Amanda Hibbard, a cast member of the show.

One of the more emotional monologues will be performed by Kayla Maryles. It is called “My Vagina Was My Village.” It is about women who were slaves in Bosnia and Kosovo. There are also more light-hearted monologues such as “The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy” which is about a prostitute who loves to pleasure women. There is a monologue in this show that will touch everyone.

After you are done listening about vaginas, how about eating one? SBI Health Education will be selling chocolate vagina pops for $1 at both showings and everyday in our office Hayes Annex C on South Campus. There will also be a Chinese Auction after the show. The money from the sale of the vagina pops and the Chinese auction will also go towards ending violence against women.
Hope to see you there!

Not a Magnum Man?

2010-02-24T15:59:00.005-05:00

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer

Recent articles have suggested that many men are wearing condoms that are too big because they are ashamed of their penis size. Well it’s about time that men matched their Trojan size to their penis size. You wouldn’t wear size 22 shoes if you were a size 12. So why are you wearing magnums if you need a Beyond Seven brand condom? Wearing condoms that are too big could decrease pleasure for you and your partner as well as make the condom more likely to slip off and thus making the condom less enjoyable and less effective.

Even though small condoms don’t say “small” people still want to carry around a condom that says “large”. This is just a little FYI but I have never heard of anyone who is more willing to have sex with a guy just because he is “packing a magnum.” So if you have experienced condom slippage or lack of sensation during sex while using a condom then maybe you should try a Beyond Seven brand condom, Lifestyles brand “Snugger Fit” condom, or Durex brand “enhanced pleasure.”

Maybe if condom sizes were labeled like Starbucks’ drink sizes people would be more willing to buy smaller condoms. Just like Starbucks’ smallest size is called “Tall” the smallest condom size could be “plentiful.” The medium condom size could be called “immense” and the large size could be called “monumental.”

There is something else you need to know, even if you have a penis that is large enough to be a medical anomaly, all latex condoms will still fit you. They are capable of being stretched over a human head or arm, yes even the “small” ones. So no, you don’t need Magnums or other large variety condoms.

So is the “size” of the condom really more important than the health of you and your partner? Is it more important than having pleasurable sex? If the answer is no then try giving a little bit smaller condoms a try.

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/02/16/2010-02-16_many_men_refuse_condoms_because_of_poor_fit_study.html

Do you like piña coladas and SEX?

2010-02-17T13:34:00.000-05:00

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer

Do you also like free pizza?... free condoms?... free prizes? If you do in fact enjoy these things then you are in luck because on Tuesday, February 23rd the annual SBI Health Education spring break event will be held in the flag room in the union from 11am to 3pm.

This year the theme of the event is sun, sex, and safety. So if you also dislike catching an STI, having an unplanned pregnancy, and ending up in unsafe situations over break come on up to the flag room and gain some free knowledge as well as FREE STUFF!

Also join us for interactive games on the hour at 12, 1, and 2. Prizes will awarded to the winners and include gift cards so bring your game face.

So you think you know Plan B?

2010-02-10T14:20:00.001-05:00

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer

Did you know Plan B can prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex?
It is most effective within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It is best to take it as soon as you can after unprotected sex, but it is still 75%-89% effective when taken in the first five days after unprotected sex.

Does Plan B have severe side effects?
The most common side effect when taking Plan B is some slight nausea. The nausea can be prevented by eating a light snack when taking it. Other than that the other side effects are rare.

Will emergency contraception abort a pregnancy?
No, EC will neither abort nor harm a pregnancy. It works just like a birth control pill because it inhibits ovulation, thickens cervical mucus, and changes the lining of the uterus. When it prevents ovulation there will be no egg to fertilize. Thickening the cervical mucus stops sperm from getting into the fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg. The changes in the lining of the uterus make it hard for a fertilized egg to implant and therefore hard to start a pregnancy.

Can you get emergency contraception on campus?
Yes, you can get it at SBI Health Education in Hayes Annex C on south campus for $25. You can also get it at the Sub Board pharmacy in Michael Hall for $25.

If you don’t have sex a lot can Plan B be used as a regular form of birth control?
It is not a good idea to use Plan B as a regular form of birth control because it is less effective and can be more expensive than other hormonal methods such as the pill, the ring, etc.

Are you naughty or nice?

2010-02-03T13:42:00.004-05:00

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer

Behind closed doors would you rather "squash" your partner or massage their feet? Squashing is a fetish well publicized by the Tyra Banks show. It involves one of the partners (typically one who is overweight) falling onto the other partner and in essence "squashing" them. The pain involved in the squashing can increase feelings of arousal, much the same way people are aroused by S&M.

Are you turned on yet? If not then read on. So maybe squashing is a little too nice for you? Well then can I interest you in some hand cuffs and whips? S&M is sadomasochism. The sadism is if you derive pleasure from inflicting pain while the masochism is deriving pleasure from receiving the pain. This fetish as opposed to squashing, requires a few more toys. Luckily, there are plenty of good adult stores in Buffalo.

So naughty fetishes aren’t for you? How about something like podophilia? No not PEDophilia, PODophilia, or more commonly known as a foot fetish. Partners who have a love of feet are turned on by gentle foot massages and perhaps a nice little kiss on the toe. A foot fetish can be very loving and sensual, especially if there is massaging involved. Luckily this fetish doesn’t require toys and the safety risk is lower than that of squashing, but it may require getting a pedicure.

If even a foot massage is too risqué for you then maybe you are better off sticking to your teddy bears and stuffed crocodiles. What could be better than the feel of soft synthetic fur on your skin? In that case you can consider yourself a plushophile. So take your partner, or just yourself, and head to the carnival to win yourself a brand new toy!!

Fetishes are fun and arousing but make sure you always talk to your partner before breaking out the whip or costumes. You may scare them off. Also with things that involve any kind of bondage or pain make sure you and your partner have a safe word or safe action. Make sure your safe word or action is not in any way related to sex or what you are doing.

Is it true about......

2010-01-04T12:26:00.006-05:00

Guest Comment by SBI Health Education intern, Danielle O.

Does the birth control pill cause cancer? Can an IUD cause painful sex? Does the “withdrawal” or “pulling out” method really work? Are two condoms better than one?

Today, it is hard to tell the facts from myths as far as the everyday forms of birth control go. Many people of all ages share the same misconceptions, or simply just do not know the answers to some of the questions they may have regarding the appropriate form and proper use of contraceptives. Indeed, due to the large and varying options available to us today, it is easy to get confused or misinformed.
The common misconception that keeps many women from using the pill, which is a highly effective method, is the fear that cancer is linked to the use. According to Steven Goldstein, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU School of Medicine in New York, “ the pill is not a cancer-causing agent, but a cancer-reducing agent, with good science to show that with continued pill use there’s a dramatic and continued reduction in the incidence of ovarian cancer, and even uterine cancer.”

Among the concerns listed above, questions about the intrauterine device (IUD) are quite common. Along with the frequently asked questions regarding intercourse, clients also ask if there if is interference of tampon use, and if it's possible for the device to become dislodged or move out of place. Research has shown that the answer is 'no.' Erika Banks, MD, associate residency director of obstetrics and gynecology at Montifiore Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y states, “an IUD will not interfere with tampon use, and, when properly inserted, it should not get dislodged during sex or cause you any pain, and your partner should not feel it either."

Continuing on with the misconceptions, one of the most popular is the withdrawal, or pulling out method. According to a study from the Guttmacher Institute, the effectiveness of the withdrawal method is about 96 percent. This respectfully speaking is contingent on the person’s methods just the same in comparison to proper use of condoms.

As for the idea that two condoms may be better than one, the friction of wearing two at the same time will create enough friction to cause both of the condoms to break or tear. As long as the condom is being used properly (expiration date checked, there is an air pocket, it is worn properly, and there is enough room left in the reservoir tip) one condom is what is approved and deemed effective.

It’s easy to see why just a few of the mentioned myths and other misconceptions about contraceptives are so considerable and forthrightly believable if not informed otherwise. Birth control is one of the most talked about topics, and yet people are still not getting the proper facts and information, and sometimes it all too confusing between myth and fact when it comes to sexual health.

Sources:
Steven Goldstein, MD, professor, obstetrics and gynecology, NYU School of Medicine. Margaret Polaneczky, MD, associate clinical professor, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York. Erika Banks, MD, associate director of residency, Montifiore Medical Center, New York.

MAKING CONDOMS FUN AND SEXY!

2009-12-21T10:02:00.000-05:00

Guest Comment by Chris S., SBI Health Education Intern

If you think that condoms can't be fun or sexy, then think again. People often say that they don’t like using condoms when having sex because it ruins the mood, reduces the sensitivity and pleasure, or they are just plain boring. These are poor excuses.

There are a variety of ways to make condom use fun and entertaining. One common problem many people have is that they rush putting a condom on during foreplay or just before sex. They feel that they need to hurry or the mood will be lost. There is no need to rush!
(1) Guys - Take your time when placing a condom on – take in the moment and make it sexy and appealing. Your partner will enjoy the wait and anticipation as you take your time placing the condom on in front of them.
(2) Try having your partner place the condom on – this way, you both are engaged in the process. They are able to place the condom on while you get to enjoy the experience.
(3) Although fun, there are varying opinions on placing the condom on your partners penis with your mouth. Here is a link how: http://www.ehow.com/how_2245684_put-condom-using-mouth.html (The danger is possibly tearing or cutting the condom in the process.)

If you think that condoms don’t provide enough pleasure or that they’re boring in general, check out this site: 10 top and sexy ways to use condoms. One of those ways includes using textured condoms, such as ribbed or vibrating condoms. Even the site Go Ask Alice (Columbia University) gives informational advice to the effectiveness and possible choices of textured condoms.

Condoms don’t have to be boring! There are numerous ways to make condoms and sex fun, sexy, and entertaining. What are you waiting for?

The “Rape Vans” - Stop Calling Them That!!!

2009-12-13T23:00:00.001-05:00

Guest comment by Bryan R., SBI Health Education intern

You take a stroll down a frigid Main Street and hear the murmur of the students as they discuss their different modes of transportation home. Many of them slightly inebriated; ready for some pizza and their beds. If you listen in on their conversations, nine times out of ten, somewhere along the way the “rape van” will come up in conversation.

As a senior here at the University at Buffalo, I have far too often heard the Anti-Rape Task Force Safety Shuttles falsely referred to as the “rape vans.” The Anti-Rape Task Force (ARTF) was started in the late 70’s for women by women as a walk station located specifically on South campus. Over the years, it expanded to walk stations on both North and South Campus, and Safety Shuttles that run within a mile and a half radius of South Campus.

When I was a freshman living on South Campus, I vividly remember all my friends waiting inside the lobby of Goodyear Hall on frigid Buffalo nights waiting for what all the referred to as the “rape vans.” But why did they call it that? The main focus of ARTF is to help protect and provide safety services to students of the University at Buffalo, and help protect against rape. The vans are designed as deterrents of violence.

The misnomer has been passed down from student generations to generations. When I went out and polled friends who used to call it the “rape van” why they did so, they replied, “That’s what everyone else called it!” When receiving this response over and over again, each time I chuckled and thought to myself: if only these students were actually educated about rape, and how many people around them have been or will be raped or sexual assaulted at some point within their lifetimes. I had one friend suggest that perhaps as every student exits the van, or if a joke about rape or sexual assault is overheard on the van, that they receive a pamphlet with real statistics like the ones below, and maybe that will be a start:

The Facts (courtesy of RAINN.org):
• Between 1 in 4 and 1 in 5 college women experience a completed or attempted rape during their college years (National Institute of Justice, December 2000).
• 1 in 6 women in the U.S. has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. (National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1998)
• “Almost two-thirds of all rapes are committed by someone who is known to the victim. 73% of sexual assaults were perpetrated by a non-stranger (38% of perpetrators were a friend or acquaintance of the victim, 28% were an intimate and 7% were another relative.) (National Crime Victimization Survey, 2005)”
• 2.78 million men in the U.S. have been victims of sexual assault or rape (National Institute of Justice & Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 1998)

So, would this work? Would passing out facts like these help students to
realize that rape and sexual assault is NOT a joke, that ARTF services are benefiting them and helping to keep them safe, and that the term is offensive and wrong? Until someone finds an answer, the legacy of the “rape vans” will move onto the next incoming freshman class and the ones following on behind them.

The OTHER condom......

2009-12-07T10:43:00.009-05:00

The Female Condom

Guest comment by Olympia J., SBI Health Education intern

There are three types of male condoms: latex, polyurethane, and natural skin sheath. The male condom is everywhere from local pharmacies, to doctor offices, schools and health fairs. There is also the female condom which is made primarily from polyurethane and sometimes from latex. When used properly, the female condom is effective at preventing pregnancy, transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). What makes the female condom appealing is that it gives women more control over their sexual health instead of depending solely on a male. However, none of these potential benefits can be realized because of the scarcity of the female condom. Some of us may have heard of the female condom but have never seen, read about, or bought one. How many of us have gone into a pharmacy and seen the countless boxes of male condoms varying in color, flavor and size? Now, how many of us have gone into a pharmacy and have seen countless boxes of the female condom? Exactly! You don’t. Now is time to globalize and advertise the female condom!

So let’s get started with Female Condom 101: The general structure of the female condom is a pouch that contains an inner ring and an outer-ring. Female condoms are clear colored and are generally the same shape and size. There are two approved types of female condoms in the United States, the FC and the FC 2. Here is how to use a female condom:

For instructions with images, check out Female Health Company's instructional video

1) Squeeze the inner ring with your thumb and index fingers

2) Get into a comfortable position either by squatting, laying down, or lifting up your leg (similar to inserting a tampon)

3) Push female condom as far back as it can go (it will be stopped by your cervix), make sure it is securely positioned between the pelvic bone and the cervix.

4) The outer ring will hang outside the vagina. Make sure it covers the labia and that your partner enters through the outer-ring.

5) When you are done, grab the outer ring, twist the pouch, pull out the female condom and discard of it (although the female condom looks sturdy, IT IS NOT APPROVED FOR REUSE!)

Information from:
http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/femalecondom.htm
http://www.avert.org/female-condom

New Recommendations - What's the Price?

2009-12-04T13:13:00.005-05:00

Guest comment by Sam L., SBI Health Education intern

As you may know from local newspapers and national news reporters, there have been recommendations on biannual Pap smear testing and the limiting of mammogram testing. The biannual Pap smear testing has been advised through the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). They recommended that women have a Pap smear test every two years instead of annually. Women have been advised that they should have annual check-ups with their gynecologists by their primary gynecologists and physicians. MSNBC suggests that the government is trying to cut health costs by making this adjustment. The New York Times said, “Dr. Iglesia (ACOG) said that the argument for changing Pap screening is more compelling than that for cutting back on mammography…because there is more potential for harm from the overuse of Pap test.” She also suggests that young women are more prone to abnormalities that clear up on their own.

Women should have the right to have annual testing, not just to know whether or not they may have cervical cancer, but also to know their “status.” Pap smears have become a part of an annual check-up when visiting the gynecologist’s office. It also provides as a screening tool for women who may contract HPV. Certain strands of HPV may cause cervical cancer.

The new recommendations regarding mammogram screenings issued through the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggested that women ages 40-49 do not need mammograms. Their reasoning for the cut-back is that they believe that out of 1,900 women between the ages of 40 to 49, only statistically one would have breast cancer. It would only save one life. However, many oncologists believe that their primary reason for their job is to save that one life. Mammograms may provide them the information they need to save that life. They disagree with the USPSTF recommendations, and this reaction is apparent. According to CNN, Dr. Therese Bevers discussed her feelings and reactions on the new recommendations for mammograms. She said, “You have to screen more women. It’s the value we put on zero women dying.” Their ultimate purpose for their jobs is to save that “one” life.

Women should have the right to have annual testing, whether it is a Pap smear or a mammogram, at any age. Women should be able to prevent the spread of cancer throughout their body at any point of time, and they should be able to know their status at any point in time in their life. There should not be an age limit on the amount of services that are given.

Issue on new guidelines for Pap smears:
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr11-20-09.cfm

Issue on new mammogram recommendations:
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm

Rihanna and Chris - what can we learn?

2009-11-30T12:41:00.007-05:00

"He Hits Me because He Loves Me"
guest comment by SBI Health Education intern, Marquia W.

By now, you've probably heard about Rihanna and Chris Brown and the continuing story; if not, here are the latest links:
Watch Chris: www.eurweb.com/story/eur55822.cfm
Watch Rihanna: www.rnbmusicblog.com/rihanna-2020-full-interview-watch-video/8793/

Listen ladies and gentlemen!

Domestic violence should not happen to anyone. It is absolutely wrong and when it does happen, remember that abuse is NEVER okay and that you are NOT alone. If your partner hits you, puts you down or forces you to engage in sexual activity-THAT IS ABUSE!

Love shouldn’t hurt at all. Remember, love should make us feel healthy and happy about the future. Having a healthy relationship makes us feel good about ourselves and the person we are with. In order to love someone, you have to love yourself as well. You should be able to communicate openly with your partner; be honest with your partner; respect your partner and treat each other as equals. Always keep in mind what the relationship means to you.

If you know of someone who has been abused contact your local 911 emergency service, or one of the agencies listed below.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
www.ndvh.org

New York State Coalition against Domestic Violence:
24 Hour Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Hotline
English 1-800-942-6906
Spanish 1-800-942-6908
www.apdv.state.ny.us

HPV Vaccine Debate Shifts to Boys

2009-07-14T09:34:00.002-04:00

Parents who face the dilemma of whether to protect their young daughters with a vaccine aimed at a sexually transmitted infection that causes cervical cancer now face a new question: Should they do the same for their sons?

As evidence mounts of a rising number of other cancers linked to the human papillomavirus, or HPV, a debate has intensified over whether to give the vaccine to males.
Advocates say vaccinating boys and men can prevent them from passing on the virus to their sexual partners.

Critics still question the long-term safety and effectiveness of Merck & Co.’s Gardasil, despite studies indicating that its risks and lasting power are within the range of other vaccines.
But a newer wrinkle in the debate is the discovery in recent years that oral HPV infections — most likely acquired from oral sex with multiple partners—significantly increase the risk of head and neck cancers.

The rate of oral cancers is rising so steadily, especially in men, that, if the trend continues, there may be more oral cancers in the United States caused by HPV in 10 years than by tobacco or alcohol, a major study concluded last year.

“We should be investing our care and dollars in preventing HPV infection instead of treating the cancers,” said Dr. Thom Loree of Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Physicians at the cancer center have begun publicly touting the benefits of the vaccine on males after seeing an increase in the number of throat cancers they treat annually over the last decade. HPV was associated with about 55 percent of the tumors.

Although many researchers believe Gardasil can protect against oral and other cancers linked to HPV infections, including rarer cancers of the penis and anus, studies that might provide compelling evidence have yet to be completed.

HPV, a family of more than 100 viruses, is the most common sexually transmitted infection. An estimated 20 million Americans are infected, and at least half of all men and women acquire a genital HPV infection at some point in their lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In most cases, there are no symptoms and the infection goes away. But some types of HPV cause genital warts and cancers.
HPV-associated cancers occur most often in the cervix, with about 10,000 cases and 3,700 deaths each year. There are about 1,000 deaths each year among U. S. men from HPV-linked cancers.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil in 2006 for women ages 9 to 26 to prevent cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers caused by HPV. The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that all girls be vaccinated at age 11 or 12 and those ages 13 to 26 be given “catch up” vaccinations.

Merck has applied to the FDA to use the vaccine on boys and men ages 9 to 26. The official indication would be for prevention of genital warts and other lesions, although pediatricians would be free to discuss with parents the potential for protection against cancers.
The immunization advisory committee met in June to discuss vaccination of males, including whether it is cost-effective, and plans to vote on the matter in the fall.

Gardasil protects against four strains of HPV, including two that account for 70 percent of cervical cancers and two others that account for nearly all cases of genital warts.
Experts say restricting the vaccine to girls makes it less effective at reducing infections.
“There are many direct and indirect benefits to vaccinating men for HPV, although it’s important that we look at whether it’s cost-effective,” said Dr. Gale Burstein, medical director of epidemiology and surveillance and STD control for Erie County. Burstein, a pediatrician who specializes in adolescent medicine, also consults for Merck and GlaxoSmithKline, which has applied to the FDA to market its competing Cervarix vaccine in the U. S.

Another Buffalo-area physician, Dr. Michael Terranova, chairman of the Buffalo Area Pediatric Society, also sees benefits in immunizing boys. “It’s a good vaccine,” he said. “You would eliminate thousands of cases of genital warts and cancers.”

Critics, though, point out that unlike mandated vaccines, only about 25 percent of teenage girls get Gardasil and that vaccinated women must continue regular Pap tests to detect precancerous lesions because Gardasil does not protect against other strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer.

This, in turn, raises doubts about the vaccine’s cost-effectiveness, particularly when a Pap test ranges from $6 to $16 and the three recommended doses for Gardasil cost $375.
“This is a very expensive vaccine with limited effectiveness,” said Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Research Center for Women and Families. “For men, we know that the vaccine will prevent genital warts. How much are we willing to pay to prevent genital warts?”

Critics note that most cases of HPV clear on their own and raise doubts about the lasting power of the vaccine. They also question its safety.

Merck counters that research shows immunity lasts at least 8.5 years, and that proof of enduring protection has not been a requirement of other vaccines.

As of May 1, more than 24 million doses of Gardasil were distributed in the United States. There were 13,758 reports of adverse events, with 7 percent considered serious, according to the government’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

Although studies have yet to show that Gardasil prevents oral cancers, scientists remain optimistic that it can. “No one can make a claim that it will do anything for other cancers. But there is no reason to believe it won’t work,” said Dr. Maura Gillison, a leading expert on HPV and oral cancers.

Researchers attribute the rise in HPV-associated cancers, especially oral cancers among younger white men, largely to changes in sexual attitudes. The greatest risk factor for developing a cancer from an HPV infection is multiple sexual partners, Gillison said. All of which may add a challenging twist for doctors if the vaccine is approved for males.

“Talking to boys or their parents about protecting girls from cancer is not going to get them to take the vaccine. They have to see a direct benefit,” said Dr. Cynthia Rand, who has studied public perceptions toward HPV vaccination.

Written by Henry L. Davis
The Buffalo News
July 12, 2009

Accidents Happen. Be Prepared.

2009-07-14T09:30:00.004-04:00

On July 13, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Plan B® One-Step, a new emergency contraception pill. Plan B One-Step gives women the option of helping to prevent an unplanned pregnancy with a single dose instead of two doses. It will be available in about a month.

Emergency contraception (also known as the morning after pill) is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. It can be taken up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected intercourse.

Accidents happen. Did you have intercourse without using protection? Did you forget to use your birth control correctly? Did the condom break, leaving you worried about becoming pregnant? If so, emergency contraception might be a good choice for you.

The FDA has also made Plan B available from drugstores and health centers without a prescription for women and men 17 and older (previously, it was available to people 18 and older). If you are interested in getting Plan B and are 17 or older, you can now get it directly from either a Planned Parenthood health center or from your local drugstore. If you are younger than 17, you'll need to go to Planned Parenthood, other health center, or private health care provider for a prescription.

We all like to be prepared. That is why it's a great idea to keep some Plan B in your medicine cabinet or bedside table in case of an accident. Having the morning after pill on hand will let you take it as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, when it is most effective. If you are younger than 17, you can ask your health care provider for a prescription that you can fill ahead of time.

Post from Planned Parenthood Action Center

NYS Political Chaos Hurts Women

2009-07-01T11:01:00.002-04:00

For the past week, we've been watching the political circus that has become our state government, glued to our computer screens for the unfolding story. But there's another story that hasn't yet been told.

While you saw two men cross the aisle, I sat in the New York Senate chamber and saw three years of hard work and real coalition-building in the service of women's health go up in smoke. While you watched the lights go out in the Senate chamber, I watched the state go dark on reproductive rights.

Because last Wednesday, the Reproductive Health Act -- landmark legislation to codify Roe vs. Wade in New York -- was scheduled to be voted upon in the Senate. NARAL Pro-Choice New York and other advocates had commitments from 34 senators, across party lines, to pass a clean, amendment-free bill.

With passage of this legislation, every woman in New York would have been assured that her fundamental right to choose abortion would be protected. Critically, the Reproductive Health Act would also have clarified that a woman would be allowed to have an abortion if her health or life was endangered. The bill, which has been loudly debated for three years, was going to be voted on quietly and respectfully so that each senator could fully vote his or her conscience.

But two days earlier, the Republicans -- with the help of Sen. Pedro Espada and Sen. Hiram Monserrate, both Democrats, ostensibly -- engineered a coup that took down the pro-choice Senate leadership and attempted to reinstate the same anti-choice Republicans who've been blocking pro-choice legislation for 40 years.

This maneuver appears to have effectively derailed the bill -- ironically, as both Monserrate and Espada are co-sponsors of the Reproductive Health Act.

One would think that Monserrate, of all people, might want to make women's issues a priority. One would think Espada, whose health center serves low-income women, might want to make women's health a priority. One would think that Sen. Dean Skelos, who really ought to be noticing the national trend away from Bush-era extremism, might want to make women's issues a priority.

Women's health and rights matter in New York. Polls have repeatedly shown that nearly three quarters of New Yorkers (across all party lines and demographics) support the Reproductive Health Act.

Yet the anti-choice Republican leadership has maintained a stranglehold on the Senate, kowtowing to fringe interests. The behavior of Skelos reveals the lie behind his so-called coalition and its claim of bipartisanship and reform. New Yorkers thought they had pro-choice leadership in the state Senate, a decision that Skelos and his cronies are now effectively rejecting at their peril.

Women in New York have held a powerful role in swinging elections toward Democrats and moderate Republicans. No statewide elected official in over a decade has been anti-choice. You simply do not win in New York by taking that position.

Regardless of who leads the Senate in the coming weeks, we call upon legislators of both parties to come together and pass a clean Reproductive Health Act, without larding it up with amendments that could compromise women's health.

The Reproductive Health Act is ready. Women are waiting. Let's finish the story.

Written by Kelli Conlin for the Albany Times Union 6/16/2009
Kelli Conlin is president of NARAL Pro-Choice New York.

CONDOMS! CONDOMS! CONDOMS!

2009-06-18T13:37:00.003-04:00

The latex condom is pretty amazing! It’s one of the only forms of birth control that can protect you from both pregnancy and STDs. And when used properly each and every time, condoms are up to 98 percent effective at keeping you safe! Check out this video to see how condoms are made and tested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u22BbGNzLWo

Did you see how big a condom can get when inflated? Some guys will give excuses for not wanting to wear a condom like they’re too tight or I don’t fit into condoms. But guys complaining about condoms are full of hot air! Any guy, no matter the size, can fit into that condom! And since condoms come in different sizes there’s no excuse for not wearing one during sex.

Condoms are thoroughly tested for strength and checked for any leaks. Even the tiniest hole will be detected during the testing process! So if a condom breaks during sex, more often than not, it’s because of human error. Here are a few common mistakes people make when using condoms:

The condom was expired. Condoms deteriorate over time, so never use an expired condom.
The wrapper was opened improperly. Never use your teeth to open a condom wrapper, since that could tear the condom.
The condom wasn’t put on properly. Make sure to follow the directions, since condoms will only be effective when put on properly.
The wrong lubrication was used. Always use a water-based lubricant, since other kinds of lubricants can break down latex.

Do you know how to properly put on a condom? Test your knowledge and play The Condom Game!

The Murder of Dr. Tiller

2009-06-18T13:35:00.001-04:00

On May 31, 2009, Dr. George R. Tiller, a late-term abortion provider in Kansas, was murdered while attending church services. For years, Dr. Tiller had been threatened and harassed by anti-abortion supporters: He was shot in both arms and his clinic was bombed and vandalized.

Dr. Tiller’s murder comes a few weeks after President Obama called on Americans to have an open and honest debate on abortion. Obama said he was “shocked and outraged” by the murder. “However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence,” he said.

We often forget about the power of words. Dr. Tiller was called a “murderer” and “baby killer,” and his murder is a tragic example of how words can incite violence. While Tiller was physically and verbally attacked, not all people who are anti-choice condone violence. In fact, Operation Rescue, an anti-choice organization, has spoken out strongly against the murder of Dr. Tiller. And while people on both sides of the abortion issue feel very strongly, we can all agree that violence is never the answer.

It would be great if we—whether we’re pro- or anti-choice—could come together in support of preventing unplanned pregnancies and addressing those hard ethical questions that come up when a woman’s life is endangered by a pregnancy.

MTV's new series on Teen Pregnancy

2009-06-18T13:16:00.002-04:00

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to walk in the shoes of a pregnant teen? MTV’s new documentary series 16 and Pregnant takes a deeper look at the everyday lives of teens handling the ups and downs of growing up all while dealing with pregnancy. Take a look at the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLiXS02Mj7U

16 and Pregnant looks like it could be an eye-opening TV series on teen pregnancy. If you plan on watching the show, let us know what you think about it!

HPV Transmission

2009-06-18T13:06:00.003-04:00

It is estimated that 80% of women will get HPV at some point in their lifetime.

HPV is easily spread. Any type of genital contact with someone who has human papillomavirus (HPV) can put you at risk — intercourse isn’t necessary. And since there are often no signs or symptoms, many people don’t even know they have HPV. That means HPV transmission can happen without anyone knowing it.

There are about 6 million new cases of genital HPV in the United States each year.*

*Number represents more than 30 genital HPV types, not just HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18.

For more information about how you can prevent HPV transmission:
http://www.gardasil.com/hpv/pap-test/HPV-protection/index.html

The link between HPV and Cervical Cancer

2009-06-18T13:03:00.003-04:00

Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina). Unlike other cancers, cervical cancer is not passed down through family genes. It’s caused by certain types of a virus, human papillomavirus (HPV).

When a woman becomes infected with certain types of HPV, and the virus doesn’t go away on its own, abnormal cells can develop in the lining of the cervix. If these cells are not found early and treated, precancers and then cancer can develop.

While half of all women diagnosed with cervical cancer are between 35 and 55 years old, many of these women were probably exposed to cancer-causing HPV types in their teens or 20s.

For more information about Cervical Cancer:
http://www.gardasil.com/hpv/human-papillomavirus/cervical-cancer/

Learn more about Gardasil, the HPV vaccine:
http://www.gardasil.com/

Date Rape Myths & Facts

2009-06-18T12:57:00.002-04:00

Myth: Rape is only committed by strangers in dark alleys and parking lots.

Fact: As many as 84 percent of women are raped by someone they know, such as friends, family or an acquaintance.

Myth: If a woman is raped, then she must have deserved it, especially if she agreed to go to the man's room or wore sexy clothing.

Fact: No one deserves to be raped. Being in a man's room or wearing revealing clothing does not mean a woman has agreed to have sex.

Myth: Women who don't physically fight back haven't been raped.

Fact: If a woman did not or could not consent to having sex, it is considered rape. Forcing a woman to have sex against her will, whether she physically fights back or not, is rape, plain and simple.

Myth: If there isn't a weapon involved, you haven't been raped.

Fact: Whether the man uses a weapon, his fists, the weight of his body, verbal threats, drugs, alcohol, or takes advantage of a woman's diminished physical or mental state to force her to have sex, it is rape.

Myth: It's not rape if the man is her boyfriend or husband or if they have had sex before.

Fact: A woman has the right to decide what she does with her body at all times - if she does not want to have sex, it is her decision, even if she willingly had sex with the man before.

Myth: If a woman lets a man buy her dinner or pay for a movie or drinks, she owes him sex.

Fact: No one owes sex as a payment to anyone else, no matter how expensive the date.

Myth: When a woman agrees to "make out" with a man, she is implying that will have intercourse with him, too.

Fact: Everyone has the right to say "no" to sexual activity, regardless of what has preceded it, and to have that "no" respected.

Myth: Women lie about being raped, especially when they accuse men they date or other acquaintances.

Fact: Rape really happens -- to people you know, by people you know.

Myth: When men are sexually aroused, they need to have sex or they will get "blue balls." Also, once they get turned on, men can't stop themselves from forcing sex on a woman.

Fact: Men don't physically need to have sex after becoming aroused any more than women do. Moreover, men are still able to control themselves even after becoming sexually excited.

Myth: Only women are raped.

Fact: Ten percent of rape cases involve men as a victim.

Myth: If both people are drunk at the time of the incident, no one can be accused of rape.

Fact: Being drunk does not mean someone cannot be accused of and convicted of rape.

Recovering from Sexual Assault

2009-06-18T12:53:00.002-04:00

Being assaulted is not your fault. If you have been assaulted, get help from someone who you trust, whether it is the police, a friend, a rape crisis center or a relative. Don't isolate yourself because you have no reason to feel guilty, and, most importantly, don't try to ignore it. Rape, even by someone you know, is a crime and a violation of your body and your trust. Counseling and support groups can be helpful to deal with the emotional trauma caused by rape.

How to be supportive in the wake of an assault

"My sister was raped by a family friend, but I am not sure whether I should believe her…"
Whether it's you or someone you know, the effects of rape can be widespread and have the ability to affect groups of people, not only the victim. If someone you know is raped…

Believe the person.
Offer comfort and support. Go with him or her to the hospital, police station, or counseling center.
Let him or her know they are not to blame and they are not alone.
Encourage him or her to report the crime.

"I am strong, I am a survivor…how do I fight back to make sure this doesn't happen again?"
Taking a stand against rape can be one of the best things you can do to help yourself or anyone else you know that could possibly become a victim of this crime.

Ask your student government or a parent group to sponsor a workshop on date rape and sexual stereotyping for students. Work with a hotline or crisis center to persuade rape survivors to join the workshop.
Volunteer at a rape crisis center or hotline.
Monitor the media for programs or videos that reinforce sexual stereotypes. Write or call to protest. On the other side, publicly commend the media when they highlight the realities of date rape.
Ask college or professional athletes or other role models to talk to high school students about sexual stereotyping and responsible behavior.

What to do if you are Sexually Assaulted

2009-06-18T12:49:00.002-04:00

If you are a victim of a sexual crime…

Do not shower, wash, douche, or change your clothes because valuable evidence could be destroyed.
Report the crime to a counseling center, police department, campus officials or professors - just tell someone that you have been violated.
Get medical attention as soon as possible.
Follow medical advice given, including advice about return medical visits, counseling and medication.
Females should ask medical workers for emergency contraception.
Ask medical workers to test for STIs. HIV tests can be conducted six weeks after the assault.
Don't urinate before seeking help, if possible. If you suspect that you may have been drugged, the first urine that leaves your body is the most likely to contain evidence of drugs.

What is RAPE?

2009-06-18T12:47:00.002-04:00

Rape is defined as forced sexual intercourse; force may involve psychological coercion (being "talked into it") as well as physical violence. This includes situations where the victim may be drunk, drugged, asleep, unconscious, or for any reason unable to say yes or no. It doesn't matter if a girl dresses sexy or a guy is really "bombed," sex without proper consent is RAPE. Period.

Sex Under the Influence

2009-06-18T12:43:00.003-04:00

Alcohol abuse and using drugs can:

Inhibit clear thinking and decision-making skills.
Make talking and listening more difficult.
Make it harder to assess potentially dangerous situations.
Increase aggression.
Decrease motor function so that it may be difficult to use a condom or another barrier method correctly.

Think Getting Drunk Is Sexy? Think Again…Too Much Alcohol Actually:

Numbs the nerve endings in both male and female genitalia.
Decreases female lubrication and can lead to painful sex.
Affects the rational processes of the brain.
Can increase one's expectations for the sexual experience, yet decrease desire, arousal and satisfaction.

Sex Myths and Mysteries

2009-06-18T12:36:00.002-04:00

Every campus has them…some sort of myth or mystery floating around about sex or improving your chances of scoring. Below is a sampling of amusing - and sometimes frightening - myths that have been handed down from generation to generation on campuses around the country.

You can't get pregnant when you're menstruating.
MYTH (Yes, you can!) Sometimes ovulation can actually occur before the bleeding from a woman's period has stopped. Or it may occur within a few days after her period has finished. In both of these cases, having sex before the period has finished or just after it has finished, can result in pregnancy.

Losing weight will make your penis bigger.
MYTH If you lose weight all over your body, there's a pad of fat that is located at the base of your penis that will also shrink - this pad of fat is where part of your penis hides when it's erect, and where even more hides when it's not erect. Losing this pad of fat may make the appearance of the penis larger, but it will not actually grow.

Unsightly dark bags under the eyes, hair growing thicker in unattractive places, and decreased ability to get and maintain an erection are all symptoms of excessive masturbating.
MYTH Symptoms of excessive masturbation may include chafed and sore genitalia, but there's no evidence your appearance will change. What's excessive to one person may not be enough to another.

Masturbation causes gas.
MYTH (Well, this would certainly explain a lot about some people we know, but, there isn't any scientific evidence that supports this.) Masturbation will also not cause hair loss, acne or loss of eyesight!

Virgins can't experience orgasms.
MYTH As any virgin who has ever masturbated can tell you, this is not true. Both male and female virgins who have technically never had intercourse can have orgasms.

Condoms will protect you from all STIs.
MYTH Condoms protect you from STIs transmitted via bodily fluids, including HIV, but may not protect you from STIs transmitted via skin contact, such as HPV.

You can get STIs from oral sex, but you'll be safer if you brush your teeth right after.
It's a MYSTERY why more people don't know that you can get STIs like gonorrhea or herpes from giving or receiving oral sex. It's a MYTH that brushing your teeth has any protective benefit when it comes to oral sex. In fact, brushing can cause microscopic tears in your mouth that make bacteria transmission easier!

Sexual Health Resources

2009-06-18T12:33:00.002-04:00

http://www.smartersex.org/stis/sex_health_resources.asp

STI Statistics

2009-06-18T12:30:00.002-04:00

One in five people in the United States has an STI

Two-thirds of all STIs occur in people 25 years of age or younger

Cervical cancer in women is linked to Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV

STIs, other than HIV, cost about $8 billion each year to diagnose and treat

One in five Americans have genital herpes, yet at least 80 percent of those with herpes are unaware they have it
At least one in four Americans will contract an STI at some point in their lives

Human Papillomavirus is the most common STI in the United States

More than 5 million people are infected with HPV each year

Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STI other than HIV/AIDS

At least 15 percent of all infertile American women are infertile because of tubal damage caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the result of an untreated STI

Two-thirds of Hepatitis B (HBV) infections are transmitted sexually and are linked to chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer