Where to find protection on and around campus

It’s very important for the modern young adult to be conscious of his/her sexual health. Sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies can stop the party rather abruptly. During the merriment and go-go lifestyle of Kent State’s Sex Week, it’s of the utmost importance to have knowledge of the risks involved in the occasional promiscuity. For that reason, kentwired.com has taken the liberty of compiling a reference of resources to help the student populace minimize these risks.

Condoms

Rubbers. French letters. Vietnamese raincoats. Don’t be a fool, wrap your tool.

Sure, easy one. Anybody with two brain cells to rub together knows that condoms are a good idea. However, not everyone knows where or how to acquire them. Sometimes, the solution is closer and simpler than you might think.

The University Health Services practically give the things away. Actually, that’s exactly what they do. Free condoms are available for all students at the DeWeese Building on Eastway Drive.

Let’s say you want to pay for condoms. Maybe you want the advantage of selection, maybe you feel weird getting rubbers handed to you by strangers. The point is, you have options here. There are plenty of places to buy condoms around here. Gas stations, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, most with good brands at fair prices. Go pick your poison.

The Pill

You know, the pill. What better way to make babies without making babies than altering the flow of your hormones? Nothing, that’s what!

But seriously though, the birth control pill is a serious medical option that, in almost every case, must be prescribed by a physician. Going on the pill requires professional medical consultation, and it’s a serious decision. There are facilities that can assist you in gaining a prescription for birth control. However, be aware that the pill only protects you from unwanted pregnancy, not STDs.

The Kent Health Center at 138 E Main St. (2nd Floor) can help you out here. They offer birth control services and emergency contraception services. Students can also go to the Ravenna Health Center, which is just down the road at 209 S Chestnut St. #203 in Ravenna.

Other

So, those are the big two, the most obvious and common options. However, there is a plethora of alternatives including but not limited to:

-Female condoms

-Pulling out (not a good idea on its own, but feel free to combine with your chosen method)

-Diaphrams/barriers

-Internally implemented long-term options (such as NuvaRing)

There are ample resources for sexual health in northeastern Ohio. For a comprehensive list of nearby Planned Parenthood Centers in the area, go here and search the 44240 zip code.

Below is a helpful map to help you find some nearby facilities.

View Sex Health Centers in a larger map

Photo courtesy of www.healthmango.com