In only a few short days, the greatest reward for college students will be upon us:  Christmas Break.  This is three weeks when our hectic lives at BC take a pause and we get to spend time with our families and friends from home.  Needless to say, we’re all pretty happy about it.  While enjoying this time off, your friends at BCSSH wanted to send you a friendly reminder that sexual health should not be forgotten along with past (or passed…hopefully) exams and schoolwork from the fall semester.  We’ve compiled this short list for you of ways to improve your sexual health over the holiday break.
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Make an Appointment with your OBGYN:  Yes.  We know this is an unpleasant task but, as women, it is one way to ensure your sexual health is a-ok.  Your OB (or gynecologist) is able to check for things that you wouldn’t necessarily catch, such as STIs that have no visible symptoms or irregularities in your internal system.  This is a great thing to squeeze in over break so you can come back to school knowing you’re healthy!  Keep in mind that most doctors recommend going for the first time before you turn 21 or within two years of becoming sexually active.  Men, make sure you see your primary care physician to get checked out.
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If you are on the pill (patch, ring, shot, etc.), make sure you’re covered through the spring: Many doctors won’t refill a prescription without a check-up first to make sure the medication is working for you.  If you know you’ll be needing a new prescription soon, make sure to check with your doctor to see what his/her policy is.  You don’t want to find out you don’t have any refills left halfway through spring semester.
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Spice up your sex life with that boy/girl from home:  Whether you’re in a relationship, or are just having a Christmastime Crush, here are some great tips we put together to increase your sexual pleasure, which is a big part of sexual health.  Experiencing pleasure releases endorphins and other chemicals, which, as Elle Woods tells us, make you happy.
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Try out that amazing sex toy you won at Sex Toy Bingo:  Sex toys are a great way to express your sexuality solo.  Maybe Christmas break is your favorite because you don’t have to deal with all the BC bros (or biddies).  Hey, we understand.  But there are other alternative toys, if you so choose.  If you didn’t win a toy at Sex Toy Bingo, no problem!  Check out our good friends at Good Vibes!
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Protect yourself against STIs:  Make sure while you’re at home on break, you’re using condoms to protect yourself from STIs.  Aside from abstinence, condoms are the most effective way of protecting yourself.  Visit one of our safe sites before the break if you’re running low!
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Get plenty of sleep:  While this seems trivial, it’s important to catch up on all that sleep you missed during the school year.  Sleep is proven to help your body run smoother, which includes your reproductive system.
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Be a safe partier:  One of the best parts about Christmas break is by far all the New Year’s Eve parties. While you’re dancing the night away or getting ready for that midnight kiss, make sure you’re being a savvy partier.  In addition to drunk driving, you should be conscientious of the other perils of alcohol consumption, specifically unwarranted or unwelcome sexual behavior.  Read about some warning signs of sexual assault and how to react here!
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Make sure to give consent:  If you do decide to take that midnight kiss one step further, we don’t blame you.  But make sure you’re not in a dangerous situation first.  According to the law, no one is able to give consent if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  For most people, alcohol is involved in their holiday festivities in some way or another, so make sure you have/give consent before anything happens.
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Make sure you keep working out:  We know, we know – break is the time to sleep and relax.  I mean, didn’t we just say that earlier in this blog?  Well you have to do both…complicated I know.  While sleep does benefit your body greatly, so does exercise.  In addition to maintaining mental well-being, exercise has been shown to improve one’s sex life.
- Perform a breast self-exam:  You should be doing this year round to check for abnormalities in your breasts, but if you haven’t been keeping up with it, break is a great time to talk to your doctor about how to perform one on yourself.  Don’t have time to go to the doctor?  Check out this website for directions and other helpful information.  If you do find anything unusual, make sure to contact your doctor.  Men, if you’re looking for information on a testicular self-exam, you can learn more here.Â
With this checklist of ideas in mind, we hope you have a very safe and sexually healthy break!  As always, if you need any information, check our website or send us an e-mail at info@bcssh.com and we’ll get back to you! Good luck with finals and we’ll see you in January!
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Peace, love, and lube,
BC Students for Sexual Health
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Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/
http://www.everydayhealth.com/
Photo Sources:
http://pzrservices.typepad.com/advertisingisgoodforyou/condom_advertising/