Sexual Health Education
Sexual Health Education
The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.
An individual who is physically or mentally impaired, generally, cannot give consent to sexual activity. Physical or mental impairment includes: visual, speech or hearing impaired, a person with a cognitive impairment; a person who is unconscious or sleeping; or a person who is voluntarily or involuntarily under the influence of alcohol or other substance(s).
If you have been a victim of sexual assault, please click here for more information on Title IX reporting. Call the Wellness Center at 856-256-4333 for confidential support.
Free Condom Friday allows Rowan students to take a bag of five external latex condoms and information on how to use them both on a penis and as a dental dam.
How to use a latex condom as a dental dam
HCI respects the right for all people to have safe, consensual, and enjoyable sex- whatever that means for them. Communicate with your partner on boundaries, STI/STD protection, and pregnancy prevention. And communicate what you like!
Free Condom Friday is held every Friday during the fall and spring semesters from 10a-12p in the Wellness Center. It will return 9/3/21. If you need supplies before then, please stop by.
Looking for information on sexual health, consent, LGBTQIA+-specific information, pleasure, and STI prevention? Read our Sex in the Dark panelists' answers! This event, held in 2018 and 2019, will return in 2021-2022!
Sexual Health Information
Abstinence
Not all college students are sexually active. Students have a variety of reasons for choosing not to have sex. Decide what your definition of abstinence is and what your boundaries are and discuss these with your partner. Abstinence can mean different things to different people. Make sure you and your partner are on the same page about what you’re comfortable with.
Contraception
Contraception helps to protect both partners from STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and females from pregnancy. No form of contraception is 100% effective in prevention STIs or pregnancy. Condoms are available from the Wellness Center on Free Condom Friday or from the small vending machine in the lobby. Hormonal birth control (birth control pills, the ring, IUD, etc.) can be obtained through your physician or through FamCare in Glassboro. Call the Wellness Center (856-256-4333) for information about obtaining contraception. It’s the responsibility of both partners to discuss contraception.
Safer sex means:
• Use a new condom every time you have sex (oral, anal or vaginal)
• Check the expiration date and store condoms in a cool, dry place (not your wallet or car)
• The female condom, cervical cap, diaphragm and other methods of barrier contraceptives are also available as forms of contraception
Bedsider.org is a great website that discusses different kinds of contraception.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
The CDC estimates that youth ages 15-24 make up just over one quarter of the sexually active population, but account for half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted infections that occur in the United States each year.
Since the most common symptom of many STIs is nothing at all, it’s important to get yourself tested regularly. Condoms are an effective method of helping to prevent STIs, though abstinence is the only 100% effective prevention method. Below are symptoms of common STIs in America.
Chlamydia: symptoms can include a burning sensation when urinating or a discharge from the genitals. Women can experience lower back pain, pain during intercourse or bleeding between menstrual periods.
Gonorrhea: women can have bleeding during intercourse; both men and women can have a discharge from the genitals or pain during urination.
HIV/AIDS: symptoms can be dormant for 10 years or even longer. Some symptoms may be swollen lymph glands, slight fever, fatigue or muscle aches. Currently there is no cure for HIV/AIDS though many medications exist to help manage the disease.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV): genital warts are the most commonly recognized symptom, however many with HPV do not exhibit symptoms. Only avoiding direct contact with the virus will prevent this infection. Condom use does not directly prevent against HPV.
Both FamCare in Glassboro and the Gloucester County Health Department offer STI/HIV testing. Click here for more information about scheduling an appointment.
