HEALTH & WELLNESS: SEXUAL HEALTH & SEXUALITY
Though sexuality is sometimes uncomfortable or taboo to talk about, sexual health is just as important as any other area of health, and protecting our sexual health is crucial to our overall wellness. University Health Services at the A.P. Beutel Health Center provides wellness exams, STI testing, pregnancy tests, birth control counseling and prescriptions, as well as many additional services to support students' sexual and reproductive health. Call 979.458.8310 for more information.
If you or your partner are not interested in getting pregnant right now, it's important to choose a birth control method that works best for you. There are four general categories of contraception:
Choosing a birth control method is a very personal decision. Despite various levels of effectiveness, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to birth control. Various details including personal values, cost, accessibility, and ease of use may factor into your decision. Talk with a healthcare provider to help you choose the method that's right for you.
Curious about emergency contraception? Learn about your options.
Resources
STIs (also known as STDs) are infections that are spread between partners via oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Many people do not experience symptoms of STIs, which is why it's super important to get tested regularly. STIs are common, and most are easy to treat, so let's beat the stigma and protect ourselves and our partners!
STIs fall into three main categories:
- Bacterial (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, etc.)
- Viral (HIV/AIDS, Herpes, HPV, Hepatitis B, etc.)
- Parasitic (Pubic Lice, Scabies, Trichomoniasis, etc.)
Although many are asymptomatic, the following symptoms could indicate an STI. Visit a healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Pain during sex or when urinating
- Pain in the pelvic area
- Discharge from the penis
- Itching around the vagina or unusual discharge
- Genital sores, warts, or blisters
- Any itching, sores, pain, or other discomfort in the anus (if you have anal sex) or throat (if you have oral sex)
Internal (AKA "female") and external (AKA "male") condoms, as well as dental dams, are great tools for helping to prevent STIs. STIs are transmitted through semen, vaginal secretions, blood, breast milk, and skin-to-skin contact (Herpes or Genital Warts). Condoms and dental dams do an excellent job at creating a barrier to prevent the exchange of body fluids, but they are not perfect. Open communication with your sexual partners about each other's sexual history can help you become aware of your risks. It's okay to be selfish about YOUR health!
Resources
A variety of clinics offer sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing for students.
Texas A&M University Health Services Laboratory
A.P. Beutel Health Center
(979) 458-8333
Testing Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm
Self-Referral Tests Available: HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
All other tests need provider appointments. Schedule appointments online.
Brazos County Health District
201 N. Texas Ave., Bryan, TX 77803
(979) 361-4440
To find testing information, visit brazoshealth.org.
Texas Department of State Health Services
(254) 778-6744
Call to find next local testing opportunity.
Taking care of our reproductive systems is important for reaching our optimal wellness. Regularly check in with your body and get used to your "normal" - that way, you'll be better able to recognize when something might be abnormal or different. Genital hygiene is a topic that we often hear conflicting ideas about. Follow these guidelines to support your genital health:
In addition to cleanliness, some things can affect our reproductive systems beyond the surface. Some of these afflictions require screening by a healthcare provider (so schedule an annual reproductive wellness visit!), and others we can examine for at home. Follow these links to learn more about screenings and exams:
Note: Safer Sex Resource Requests will no longer be available after May 1, 2024. This form will close on May 1, 2024. Condoms will be accessible in an open-access basket on the 2nd Floor of Student Services Building until supply runs out. Please take what you need!
Safer Sex Resource Request
Health Promotion offers free internal and external condoms, dental dams, and lubricant as availability permits. Health Promotion cannot guarantee availability of all products and all times due to demand and event use. Due to supply, Health Promotion cannot honor requests for large numbers of condoms.
Please allow at least 1 full week for all resource requests. All condoms (internal and external), dental dams, and lubricant samples are donated, so availability is based on our supply. If you would like dental dams and/or internal condoms, please select "custom request." <b>We do not provide pregnancy tests or Plan B/Emergency Contraception.</b> Resource requests are NOT confirmed until you receive a confirmation email.
Pick up location for all requests:
Health Promotion, Student Services Building 2nd Floor Front Desk
The employee at the front desk will provide you with your items. ALL ITEMS NOT PICKED UP WITHIN THREE WEEKS OF THE DATE OF REQUEST WILL BE RETURNED TO STOCK.
Let us know if you have any questions! Healthpromotion@tamu.edu