Sex in college is a personal choice. Most of us are old enough to realize that we are responsible for the decisions we make, including those related to intimacy. For sexually active women, sex ideally occurs between two mature, consenting individuals who do “it” as safely as possible. This means not only minding the potential for sexually transmitted diseases, but also striving to protect against pregnancy. Options like the“the Pill,” condoms and other contraceptive methods are inexpensive and readily available at VCU’s Student Health Services–including access to “Plan B.” However, even with these options, many college women still deal with the overwhelming stress of a pregnancy scare.
One VCU transfer student, identified as “K,” shares the stress and anxiety of her pregnancy scare in the hope that it encourages other women to be responsible and safe in their choices.
For K, her pregnancy scare began a few days after having sex with her boyfriend. She remembers her boyfriend putting on a condom, but was not sure if it tore. She asked her boyfriend and he told her not to worry. However, like many young women, the thought of losing everything—her education, the respect of her parents, her dream of becoming a doctor—because of an unexpected pregnancy made it nearly impossible to focus.
“I’d kiss med school goodbye…along with any chance of a bachelor’s degree. What if my boyfriend and I break up? What if he hates me? The list of questions continues. It’s just downright scary,” K said. She remembers sitting around waiting for her period, making plans, “just in case it never came.”
Fortunately for K, she didn’t end up pregnant and her period came as usual that month. Nevertheless, her experience reminded her to be careful and attentive when intimate with her boyfriend. K urges young women to be responsible by making sure they are ready for sex and all the potential implications. “I always thought you had to be stupid to have a condom come off during sex, but it’s easier than I thought,” she said.