“If I’m with a girl, and I realize I don’t have a condom, can I just use a garbage bag instead?”
I used to teach sexual education classes to teenagers, and this was one of the first questions a student asked me. I wish I could chalk it up to his age, but I can’t. Even at Hopkins, I’ve had to dispel myths about everything from condoms to emergency contraception to the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
This year, I’m bringing that information here, with this biweekly sexual health column. I’ll be providing “the birds and the bees” for the Blue Jays– the Jays and the bees, if you will. Now full disclosure, I’m not an expert: I’m just a 21-year-old former fact-checker, who’s tired of hearing all the misconceptions students have about sex.
See, there’s a problem. On the one hand, people perceive our generation as steeped in “hookup culture”—but at the same time, not even half of the 50 states require sexual education to be medically, factually or technically accurate, leading many students to come to college underprepared. Not to mention, the general awkwardness when it comes to talking about sex!
In the following weeks, I’ll highlight reliable ways to reach sexual health services on campus and tackle common questions about contraception, reproduction and STIs. (For example, no, you should not use a garbage bag, sandwich bag or any other sort of bag in lieu of a condom.)
Here are some sexual health resources at your disposal at JHU…
1. Center for Health Education and Wellness (CHEW)
There’s a lot of confusion surrounding CHEW. While it’s under the purview of the student health center, it’s not the same thing. And it’s not a student group, though it oversees five (Bystander Intervention Training, Hopkins Kicks Butts, Preventative Education & Empowerment for Peers, Stressbusters and Sexual Assult Resource Unit). CHEW is the “health promotion arm” of the health center, providing health information to the student body on topics like contraception and STIs. The center is managed by Barbara Schubert, a former Towson University adjunct professor, who holds a masters of health science with a concentration in community health. Call the office, 410-516-8396, or email Barbara, bgwinn1@jhu.edu, to schedule a time to visit the office in AMR II (near the entrance to the FFC) to pick up health brochures, request a peer education workshop or find specialized campus and community resources.
2. Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC, better known as “HelWell”)
When you need prescriptions, testing or other treatment, this is the place to go. We know they’re not the most friendly, and I’ve heard stories about them being down-right judgemental, but the health center folks are trained clinical staff, including physicians and nurse practitioners. Their services— which I’ll discuss in later posts—are also usually reasonably priced and discrete (but for something like STI testing or birth control, you may need to ask about their separate confidential options, if you don’t feel comfortable with your treatment showing up on your next insurance statement). As a Hopkins undergrad, you can schedule one-on-one office visits to discuss your worries, completely free. But beware: even for urgent concerns (like purchasing emergency contraception) you still need an appointment, and might have to wait a few hours. For a same-day appointment, stop by their office, 1 E. 31st St. (on the corner of East 31st Street and North Charles Street), or call 410-516-8270.
3. Online resources
We’re lucky to live in the Internet age, so if you prefer to learn solo, go for it! Planned Parenthood provides up-to-date medical information about everything from anatomy to relationships. Columbia University answers questions about sex and reproduction through their health website Go Ask Alice!. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has a sexual health web portal, with information about birth control, pregnancy and STIs. And, of course, look out for “The Jays and the Bees” every other week! My next entry will be about something very important—consent!