Madeline Kuhns is a journalism senior and Mustang News opinion columnist. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
Never did I think I would embarrass myself more than the horror of watching a condom fall out of my pocket while I was walking around campus. No, I don’t usually carry condoms around in my pockets, but this rare occasion was from the free condom dispensary in the gym locker room. I can’t help myself from taking them when they have sexual puns written on the wrapper.
I consoled myself from embarrassment with the feeling that I don’t want to be ashamed for being a safe, sexually active woman. Having contraception so widely available around my college campus is a privilege (people in Ireland didn’t have legal access to non-medical contraceptives until 1985).
There were more than 2.5 million reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in the U.S. in 2021, according to the National Library of Medicine. Furthermore, college students exposed to “risky” situations and sexual experiences are more likely to pass on and receive said diseases.
With many students having their first sexual experience on a college campus, knowledge of where to go for help when things go wrong is extremely important. Inexperience can bring a lack of caution and preparation to an intimate situation. Luckily, we have plenty of great (and free) options on campus you can take advantage of.
If you’ve never grabbed a free condom from the health center or locker rooms on campus, you’re missing out on free access to birth control and a funny joke.
But the health center offers much more than condoms. They also provide sexually transmitted infection testing, which will be free during the month of October. Compared to costs for STI testing sold at CVS starting at $90, I’d rather be $100 richer and ensure I’m negative for an STI. This is a big deal compared to free condoms, and it helped me realize we aren’t accessing enough of the free sexual health resources that the campus has to offer.
If you are sexually active, whether with a long-time partner or many short-lived partners, it is your responsibility to get tested to ensure you and your partner’s sex safety.
Let’s be real here: mistakes happen. Even if you are a straight couple having sex on birth control, sexually transmitted diseases aren’t protected by the pill.
Vivian McNally, a materials engineering senior, found the health center’s free testing to be less daunting than she expected. “The people were super helpful and non-judgemental,” she said. “It was nice because it was really scary!”
She found the free STI testing at the health center in perfect timing, as she had a possible transmission scare at the exact time. For McNally, going to the health center was a no-brainer compared to the $40 testing that other places asked. “I think also having it free for students was even better and a really good way to encourage people to go.”
Even if your man claims his “massive junk” was the reason for the condom breaking, he should put in the extra effort to help find birth control and be up on his testing. Many STIs that are common in colleges are asymptomatic, and students are unaware of their existence.
Julius Hoffman, a Cal Poly graduate and intern at Front Porch Coffee, had no hesitation in answering about his usage of the health center resources. Regular STI testing is plain common sense to him: “so you don’t spread anything, and that you know you’re not giving anyone that you’re sexually involved with diseases that you’re unaware of,” Hoffman said.
If you are still freaked that your peers will see you typing in STI testing at the health center computers, self-testing is also available online and through pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens (albeit with an added cost compared to on-campus options).
Taking care of your sexual health shouldn’t end at eating pineapple to make your lady garden taste good or exercising regularly to improve stamina. Post-sex is just as important for both you and your partner. Especially for those in non-monogamous situations (I’m all for a hot girl era), just take care of yourself and get tested!