Sex, intimacy, and sexual pleasure are a normal part of life, and healthy experiences with sex and intimacy can make a positive impact on our physical and emotional well-being. Good sex starts with understanding how your body works, knowing what you’re into and what you’re not into, taking precautions to prevent STIs (and unintended pregnancy if needed), and communicating with your sexual partner(s) about respecting each other’s boundaries.
Safer Sex is Healthy Sex
Safer sex refers to the precautions that we take to reduce our risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancy (when a person unexpectedly finds out they are pregnant and/or the pregnancy was not planned). Safer sex recognizes that all types of physical intimacy and sex carry some level of risk – even the things we consider to be “safe” such as kissing or using a sex toy to masturbate. No type of sex can be guaranteed risk-free, though there are many effective and inexpensive strategies to reduce our risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy.
Consent
Consent Need to Knows
- Ask for consent before and during any physical intimacy or sex
- Check in with your partner(s) during physical intimacy or sex to make sure you still have their consent
- A personal can’t consent if they are under the influence of alcohol and other drugs
- A person has the right to reverse or stop their consent at any time
Sexually Transmitted Infections & Getting Tested
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), also known as STDs, are infections that pass from one person to another during physical intimacy or sexual activity and usually affect the penis, vagina, anus and skin around those areas, and can occur in other parts of the body such as a person’s mouth and throat. STIs are transmitted most often through vaginal, oral, and anal sex but can be transmitted via physically intimacy such as heavy petting (i.e. intimate touch). STIs are very common but are often stigmatized.
It’s possible and common for people to have an STI and not know it, as STIs often don’t show symptoms right away, and some infections take weeks to notice. All STIs are treatable and some are curable. If left untreated, an STI can cause considerable and in some cases, irreversible damage. The CDC recommends testing at least annually if you are sexually active, however getting tested on a regular basis or every 3-6 months, especially if you have multiple partners, can greatly reduce your risk.
STIs have different symptoms, but typical signs of an STI include:
- Sore or bumps on and around your genitals and the surrounding areas that weren’t there before
- Pain, itching, irritation, burning, and/or swelling of genitals
- Unusual or different discharge
- Having to pee a lot
- Cold and flu-like symptoms such fever, body aches, swollen glands, and feeling tired.
If you’re unsure if these signs are new, or if you have no symptoms at all, consider getting tested. It’s the only way to know for sure if you have an STI.
Contraception
Contraception, also called birth control, is any method or combination of methods used to prevent pregnancy by keeping the sperm and egg apart. There are many types of contraception, and each type works in different ways to prevent pregnancy. Review Planned Parenthood and the Center for Disease Control for more in-depth explanations of the following contraception methods.
- Intrauterine
- Hormonal and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Hormonal and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Hormonal
- Implant
- Injection or “shot”
- Pills
- Cervical ring
- Patch
- Barrier methods
- Diaphragm or “cervical cap”
- Sponge
- External or “male” condoms
- Internal or “female” condoms
- Spermicide
- Permanent
- Female sterilization—Tubal ligation or “tying tubes”
- Male sterilization – vasectomy
It’s important to remember that IUDs and hormonal birth control methods do not protect against STIs. Consider “doubling up” and using a condom in addition to another birth control method during intercourse to greatly increase the likelihood of avoiding both unintended pregnancy and STI transmission.
Birth control often requires a prescription. Talk with your doctor about what’s right for you. There are many lifestyle factors that are involved when choosing which contraceptive method(s) will work for you, such as safety, effectiveness, availability (including accessibility and cost), and acceptability. Note that condoms do not require a prescription, are inexpensive, and are accessible over the counter or for free at local clinics.
How to Wear a Condom
Planned Parenthood’s provides a guide to putting on a condom that has clear instructions, and illustrations of a penis, to assist with learning how to put on a condom.
The correct way to wear a condom.
Picture courtesy of Planned Parenthood.
Condom Tips
- Store in a cool (not cold), dark place and out of direct sunlight and moisture.
- Don’t keep them in your car, wallet, or backpack where they will constantly rub on other items, even while they are still in the individual wrappers.
- Check the expiration date of each condom before use! The expiration date is on each individual condom wrapper.
- Before use, feel the condom wrapper for a little air bubble when you lightly squeeze the wrapper. If there is no air bubble, if condom is torn, dry, stiff, sticky, or if the package is in any way damaged, throw it away and do not use it.
- Avoid wearing more than one condom at once. Tension between the condoms will break them.
- Oils and silicone-based lubes will damage latex condoms and cause them to break. Use water-based lubes with latex condoms.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception is not intended to be a regular contraception method but rather a “backup” method for if regular birth control was not used during sex or if it was used during sex and failed, such as a condom breaking or if you missed a pill. Emergency contraception is a safe way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.
Certain IUDs can be considered emergency contraception if placed within 5 days after unprotected sex. There are also emergency contraception pills which work best in the first 72 hours after sex, many of which are accessible without a prescription and over the counter in Washington State and online.
Addressing myths and misunderstandings about emergency contraception is important. Emergency contraception is
- NOT the same as the abortion pill
- NOT capable of preventing an established pregnancy
- NOT capable of harming a developing fetus
- NOT capable of affecting your ability to become pregnant in the future
- NOT protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS
Planned Parenthood provides thorough information about emergency contraception.
HIV, PrEP & PEP
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV spreads through anal or vaginal sex and by sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment. Once a person is infected with HIV, they will have it for life. There is no effective cure for HIV, but there are very effective strategies to control it. People with HIV treatment can live long, healthy, happy lives and protect their partners.
Preventing HIV: PrEP & PEP
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can reduce your chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. PrEP is a prescription, and when taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. There are several financial assistance options for PrEP.
Learn more about PrEP in this video from the CDC.
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) means taking medicine to prevent HIV after a possible exposure. PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV.
Learn more about PEP in this video from the CDC.
Free Safer Sex Supplies
Student Health offers free safer sex supplies to UW Tacoma students. Supplies are available to discreetly pick up on-campus.
Supplies are based on current inventory and include:
- Latex, lubricated external (male) condoms (10 count)
- Latex, non-lubricated external (male) condom (10 count)
- Non-latex, lubricated external (male) condoms (10 count)
- Non-latex, silicone-based lubricated internal (female) condoms (5 count)
- Single use water-based lubricant packets (10 count)
- Specialty condoms (studded condoms, extra strength, etc. based on current inventory) (5 count)
Resources
Click the links below to learn more about specific health topics, local testing options and resources.
Planned Parenthood provides high-quality, inclusive, and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services; provides medically accurate and age-appropriate education that advances the understanding if human sexuality, healthy relationships, and body autonomy; and advocates for public policies that protect and expand reproductive rights and access to health care.
Men and male-identified and non-binary folks are welcome to use services at Planned Parenthood.
Make an appointment online or over the phone to the Tacoma Health Center location. If you are uninsured, you may qualify for a state-funded program or a lower fee scale.
Services at the Tacoma Health Center location include:
- Abortion
- Primary Care
- Birth Control
- Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)
- STD Testing, Treatment & Vaccines
- Pregnancy Testing & Services
- Abortion Referrals
- HIV Services
- Men's Health Care
- Women's Health Care
- Transgender Hormone Therapy
The Pierce County Aids Foundation is dedicated to assisting persons living with HIV to meet their needs for food, housing, healthcare and personal support. PCAF provides personalized case management services to people living with HIV and extensive outreach/education/prevention programming to help stop the spread of HIV and combat HIV related stigma.
A wide range of services include HIV testing kit home delivery, free safer sex supplies, basic needs assistance, case management, care coordination and PrEP and PeP navigation, support groups, mental health services and vouchers, a legal clinic, and more.
Sea Mar Community Health Centers is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos.
There are two clinics in Tacoma. The clinic on 11th St. offers a wider range of sexual and reproductive health services including STI and HIV testing, women’s care, birth control, and more.
Sea Mar provides sliding fee scale discounts for eligible patients, dependent on household size and annual income.
Community Health Care is a private, non-profit clinic system that provides medical, dental, pharmacy and behavioral health services for all.
No one is denied care due to inability to pay. If you are uninsured or under-insured, Community Health Care offers a sliding scale based on family size and income. In some instances, the sliding fee discount may also apply to a patient’s co-pay or deductible.
For those living at 200% of poverty and below Community Health Care uses a sliding fee scale to reduce cost and applies to all Community Health Care services and fees: medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy. At Community Health Care no one is denied care due to inability to pay.
Notable services are:
- 100% free and confidential pregnancy tests at any clinic center. You don’t have to be a patient to access a test.
- Gender Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People
- The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program offers multidisciplinary primary and specialty HIV care to patients in our Hilltop Regional Health Center’s third floor in downtown Tacoma. All Community Health Care medical clinics offer primary medical care for those with HIV/AIDS. Our Hilltop Clinic offers primary and HIV specialty care.
Student Health Services is a partnership between UW Tacoma and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Student Health Services provides a range of covered services to current UW Tacoma students at no cost. Student Health Services is located off-campus in downtown Tacoma at Franciscan Prompt Care at St. Joseph.
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health can bill insurance for services that are not covered by the partnership. Current students will not be turned away for inability to pay or for being uninsured when seeking services that are not covered, but any services that are not covered will be billed to the student. See more about costs and payments.
Office visits are free for covered services such as STI screening, however lab work for a covered service is not free. For example, the STI screening appointment is free, but the lab work to run the tests are not free.
Reproductive health and family planning, and well-women exams require an appointment.
Bring your Husky ID card with you to Student Health Services.