Unprotected hookups: Steps to keep safe
By Hannah Drown, Staff Writer
October 30, 2007 | 6 a.m.
It’s a Saturday night. Students all over Ohio University’s campus are out to have fun. Whether they are headed to an uptown bar or a party, there’s a chance things could get out of hand.
The Morning After
“The first thing I would do is set up an appointment at Hudson. This may sound funny, but the first thing I would be worried about is getting that morning-after pill,” junior Krystina Taylor said.
For anyone, especially a woman, who has engaged in an unprotected sexual act the fear of pregnancy would understandably be a primary concern. Students have been told over and over again since their first sex education class in middle school that the threat of pregnancy is imminent, especially when protection has been omitted.
“If a woman came in to see me after engaging in unprotected sex, I would refer them to a gynecological exam where they would then recommend Plan B,” said Kyla Lee, a registered nurse at Hudson Health Center.
Plan B is an emergency contraceptive that can prevent a pregnancy after unprotected sex. However, it isn’t the only option. Recently, home pregnancy tests have become more time-friendly by offering results before a missed period. This gives men and women the opportunity to take a more discrete measure.
Plan B, however, is the only alternative that can say, with 89 percent certainty, that the problem is resolved. “Plan B is available in our pharmacy and just about anywhere else, like CVS uptown, without a prescription,” Lee said.
Infection
Another concern that is more universal among the sexes is the rapid spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in society. It can be seen anywhere from the “One Less” commercials on television (promoting the GARDASIL vaccine to help protect women against the diseases that are caused by the human papillomavirus) to the “Stop at the Buzz” flyers around the residence halls.
“I probably wouldn’t do anything unless I start to see symptoms,” freshman Tim Brennan said.
For those who are immediately concerned, there are choices. “Firstly, we have baseline testing for the infections that can be traced immediately, and I would recommend that the patient have those done,” Lee said. These baseline tests, however, cannot test for all possible STIs because some do not show up on the tests until months after the exposure.“That’s why I recommend coming back in three months to get the final tests done to make sure that there are no infections present,” Lee said.
If an infection is present there are other measures to take. “If we do find something that is treatable you might need medication. If so, we will prescribe you something that you can pick up at our pharmacy,” Lee said.
“Overall, with all of this hassle, that one fun night might not be worth it," Taylor said. "I guess for me I wouldn’t want to give that up. My lesson learned would probably be to use a condom next time.”
---
For more information on Plan B contraception, check out Hudson Health Center’s Web site at http://www.ohio.edu/hudson/topics/contraception.cfm