This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at San Francisco chapter.

Sex. It’s a topic we either love talking about with our gal pals, or cringe at the thought of a pee pee in a va-jay-jay (so mature, I know).

But lets face it, sex is important to talk about. It isn’t just important to talk about so you can vent and make fun of your ex’s oddly shaped penis. Sex is important to talk about because it is healthy. Why is talking about sex healthy? Well, sex is a part of life and it plays a role in our overall health. Yes, sex is fun, hot, sweaty, dirty, and yeah I could go on and on with these suggestive adjectives…but it can also be dangerous if you don’t know how to be safe. So, it is important for all college students whether you are sexually active or not to understand, learn, and yes… talk about sex.

Lucky for us, SFSU has an amazing health center that offers an array of health and clinical services. Why should you use SFSU health & clinical services? First of all, you can talk to professionals about your sexual health. It is important to learn about your sexual health in order to take the necessary precautions to be safe. Second of all, it is easy to make an appointment. Lastly, many of the health services and treatments they provide are free or affordable, and since I am somewhat of an opportunist, I say take advantage of them while you can.

Talking about sex is hard; especially, if you aren’t having it. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get routine check ups, and talk to a doctor about any concerns you have in your nether regions. Sometimes an itch isn’t just an itch, and a bump isn’t a pimple, so why risk not understanding your personal sexual health? It is better to understand your body because it can make sex a lot more comfortable and enjoyable.

Seriously people, I can’t stress enough how easy it is to schedule an appointment. All you have to do is click here: http://health.sfsu.edu/content/appointments and login to myhealth. If you haven’t used myhealth before it is self explantory. You login using your SFSU email or ID# and password. It will ask you for your birthdate and then it will take you to your homepage. This is where you can make appointments, complete medical forms, check billing statements and messages. The website listed above has step-by-step instructions on what informaton you need to bring to your first appointment. Don’t have access to a computer? Call this number (415) 338-1719 between 8:15am -4:45pm, Monday through Friday. If you are on campus simply walk over to the health center and schedule an appointment in person. They couldn’t have made it more convenient for us.

There are some things you don’t need to make an appointment for. For example, do you need a refill on your birth control? No problem – they got you covered during birth control walk in hours. This service is for women who need to refill their birth control. The walk in hours are specifically for women just wanting to refill, restart, or renew an expired prescription. You can find the walk in hours here: http://health.sfsu.edu/content/womens-services. If you need more guidance on birth control you can always stop by and make an appointment. If you have questions about birth control you can also check out www.bedsider.org.

Now – you may be asking yourself, “How do I know if I am eligible for free services?” Simple – fill out a Family Pact Form from this website: http://health.sfsu.edu/content/family-pact. They have step-by-step instructions on the website. If you are eligible, you can get free services such as access to contraceptives, STI and HIV testing, diagnosis and treatment of STI’s and vaginal infections at the SFSU health center. Even going in and asking for information is free.

If you are not eligible for Family Pact, or already have health insurance, you are still eligible to use SFSU’s health services. As long as you are a registered student, you have access to their primary and specialty health care services. You can still get information about sex because the health center offers education and testing on STI’s and HIV. If you are sexually active and have never been tested, or haven’t been tested within the last year, I highly suggest you get tested. Seriously, what are you waiting for?

Besides sexual health, SFSU’s health center offers primary services, specialty care, and more! For more information please click here: http://health.sfsu.edu/content/clinic-services. I suggest you check out the health center’s overview page, so you can get more of an understanding of the benefits these programs and services have for you. You can find out more information here: http://health.sfsu.edu

At the end of the day, even if you are just curious about sex or have questions, go in and ask. It is better to ask questions than remain clueless. Remember, sex is fun – until it burns when you pee. The lesson to learn here is to not be afraid to talk about sex. Even if you aren’t having sex, it is still important to talk about it with professionals because sexual health is a vital part of your overall health. Honestly, safe sex feels even more amazing since you won’t have to worry about anything, and that means all you have to do is enjoy the moment, so you can reach the “Big O”.

And did I mention orgasms are good for your health too? But, that’s for another topic. Until next time…

HCXO,

Nicole

Safe Sex and The College Student – Why You Should Use SFSU’s Health Services

We wanna slide into your DMs