Sexual health is one aspect of Valentine’s Day that students don’t always consider right away. Kent State offers several options for students to educate themselves on sex before the day of love approaches and you and your partner try anything “special.”

Trojan Brand Condoms released information regarding sexual health on college campuses nationwide.

The report card was based on 12 categories: hours of operation, whether the university allows drop-ins or require appointments for student scheduling, separate sexual health awareness programs for students, contraceptive availability – free or at a cost, HIV testing on-site (on/off campus, cost), STI testing on-site (on/off campus), anonymous advice for students available through center (e-mail, phone, text), lecture/outreach programs for sexual health issues, student peer groups, availability of sexual assault programs and website usability and functionality.

Kent State ranks 46th among the 141 schools participating in the rankings. Schools across the nation participated in a Trojan’s Sexual Health Report Card competition in order to raise awareness of sexual health.

Each school participating in the competition received a letter grade and cumulative GPA based on the 12 categories. The study was conducted by Sperling’s Best Places and is associated with the Rock the Vote campaign.

Bruce Tetreault, group product manager of Trojan Condoms, said in a pamphlet, “The Trojan Sexual Health Report Card is designed to get people talking about sexual health on campus.”

When it comes to sexual concerns, Kent State’s DeWeese Health Center services its students, faculty and staff with confidential and free STD testing and will answer any sexual health questions students may have.

The Health Center also has an extensive women’s health center that provides women with sexual health care upon appointment. The department acts as a full functioning gynecological unit that can prescribe birth control, evaluate irregularities of the menstrual cycle and vaginal issues, perform pap smears and issue Plan B emergency contraceptive.

The university health center also contains a full-functioning pharmacy that will fill any prescription upon request. When issues occur after hours, students can turn to the twenty-four hour nurse hotline for aide and assistance. To access the KSU Nurse Line, call the number (330) 672-2326.

The center’s hours are: Monday and Thursday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Free HIV testing upon appointment will be Feb. 24.

Birth Control Methods

Barrier Methods

Male Condom- a rubber tube placed on the male penis lined with spermicide to stop sperm from entering the female body. The advantage allows males to take an active roll in safe sex.

Female Condom- a rubber barrier that is inserted into the female uterus to stop sperm from entering the female body. Female condoms are more expensive and rare but are an effective contraceptive.

Spermicide-a chemical agent used to kill off unwanted sperm. They come in many forms such as gel, foam, and cream. While effective, spermicide is best used as a second line of defense when combined with the male condom.

Hormonal Methods

All hormonal methods work through the female body by combining the hormones of Oestrogen and Progestogen to stop the release of the monthly egg. There are many different ways to consume the necessary hormones:

Injections- Injection into the female body through a syringe taken every twelve weeks.

Daily Pill Pack- Tiny pill taken at the same time every day for three weeks of the cycle with the remaining week taking sugar pills. If even one day is missed, this method can be ineffective.

Contraceptive Implant- Form of contraceptive inserted by a device into the uterus wall of the vagina.

Plan B Emergency Contraceptive- Last line of the defense, this pill is taken within 48 hours of sexual intercourse and should only be taken in case of emergency.

Contact Julia Floreak at [email protected] and Laura Lofgren at [email protected].