What's Your Safer Sex IQ?
By Dr. Joni Frater & Esther Lastique, Sex Ed Boot Camp
For many students college can be a time of sexual discovery. According to the spring 2011 American College Health Association–National College Health Assessment of 105,781 college students, about 70% said they were sexually active with at least one partner in the past 12 months. If you count yourself among those who are sexually active or are considering diving in, you need to know the facts about sexual protection. While sex can be an incredibly pleasurable and often bonding activity, it can be even better when you engage in safer sex by using protection. When you use proper sexual protection, you can feel less worried, more at ease, and able to enjoy sex even more. You might be surprised at the number of students who have misconceptions or misinformation about sex. Students who are exploring sexual relationships with different partners may be especially susceptible to STIs and unplanned pregnancies, so it pays to know the facts. No matter what your sexual orientation, take this quiz and test your knowledge about staying safe and healthy!
1. I can’t get pregnant if:
a) I have my period
b) I am breastfeeding
c) He pulls out before ejaculation
d) All of the above
e) None of the above
#1. The correct answer is…e.) None of the above
You can get pregnant during your period and breast feeding because live sperm are present and can thrive in the vagina. Every woman’s fertility level is different so there is not any guaranteed safe time because the ovulation and menstrual cycles can vary. This is especially true when under stress. There is live sperm present in pre-ejaculate fluid (pre-cum), so pulling out is not reliable either. And any time you engage in vaginal intercourse without barrier protection, you are exposing yourself to STIs.
2. Receiving oral sex is safe so I don’t need to use protection.
a) True
b) False
#2. The correct answer is…b.) False
Giving and receiving oral sex can be risky behavior for both males and females. Flavored condoms are available for performing oral sex on a male partner and use a dental dam or plastic wrap for performing oral sex on a female. Dental dams and plastic wrap can be used on both men and women for oral-anal sex.
3. What kinds of lubricants can you use with male condoms?
a) Oil based
b) Silicone based
c) Water based
d) b and c
#3. The correct answer is…d.) b and c
Water-based and silicone lubricants are the best to use with latex condoms. Oil based lubricants may break down the latex and should not be used. Silicone lubricants are best for sex in the water (shower, tub, hot tub), since water based lube will wash away. It is safe for both types of lubrication to be ingested and both lubricants help to make sex more pleasurable and enjoyable for all involved. A little bit of lubrication on the inside of the condom helps to increase sensitivity for the wearer in addition to aiding with putting the condom on.
4. Male condoms are the only form of reliable barrier protection to prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancy?
a) True
b) False
#4. The correct answer is…b.) False
Yes, there is another option called the Female Condom. It is inserted into the vagina, is made of nitrile (a synthetic rubber) so that it is non allergenic, and can be inserted before sexual activity occurs. (Ideally it should be inserted at least 20 minutes before penetration, so the nitrile has time to warm to body temperature, helping it to adhere to the vaginal walls.) Female condoms are just as effective as male condoms, as long as you use them correctly. Be sure to practice inserting them before using them for the first time. Do not use a male and female condom at the same time—the friction can cause both barriers to tear. Also note that traditional male condoms offer protection from STIs for both men and women who engage in anal sex. According to Avert.org, some people use the female condom for anal sex, but it is not approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) for such use.
5. Safe sex should always be consensual. I can tell when my partner is agreeable to having sex and likes what we’re doing sexually because:
a) I ask and only have sex if he or she says yes.
b) My partner is actively participating in our sexual acts.
c) My partner is breathing heavy and moaning
d) a and b
e) All of the above
5. The correct answer is…d.) a and b
Sex is consensual when partners have clearly given consent, and they are actively participating in the sexual acts. The Washington State University website says that “obtaining consent is an ongoing process of mutual communication as sex progresses, regardless of who initiates it.” Sexual assault occurs when there is an incident of “non-consensual” sexual conduct. The Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault has a lot of good information on what constitutes consent and non-consent. To find out more, CLICK HERE.
6. What percentage of all new STIs occur among 15- to 24-year-olds?
a) 10%
b) 25%
c) 50%
d) 75%
#6. The correct answer is…c.) 50%
50% of sexually active 15- to 24-year-olds will contract an STI. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
7. What are the best ways to ensure that a condom doesn’t break?
a) put it on correctly
b) make sure that your partner is lubricated enough
c) practice using condoms alone (masturbation) to be sure that you are using the right size and level of sensation for you
d) all of the above
#7. The correct answer is…d.) All of the above.
Just because a condom says it’s lubricated doesn’t mean it’s lubricated enough. Lubrication for sex including anal and vaginal penetration is mandatory to keep the condom intact. Men should practice using different types of condoms alone (i.e., during masturbation) so that they can find a size and brand that gives the most sensation and best fit. The anus does not create natural lubrication so when engaging in anal sex, the use of lubrication will help decrease tearing of the lining of the anus and/or condom in addition to increasing pleasure.
8. HPV infections may lead to which of the following long-term complications?
a) cervical cancer
b) penile cancer
c) anal cancer
d) throat cancer
f) genital warts
g) all of the above
#8. The correct answer is…f.) All of the above.
While there is no cure for the human papillomavirus (HPV), the changes caused by HPV, if left undiagnosed and untreated, can cause cancers years after exposure and may not show any symptoms. For the strains that cause genital warts, symptoms can take weeks to show, and are difficult to see in the dark! Treatment options for abnormal cells on the cervix include cryosurgery (freezing off the tissue) and laser treatment. Note that the majority of individuals appear to rid themselves of this virus and only a small percentage will go on to develop cancer. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
9. If you are sexually active, how often should you get tested for STIs?
a) once yearly
b) every six months
c) I have a regular partner so I don’t need to get tested
#9. The correct answer is…b.) Every six months
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends getting tested annually, recent surveys show that people who have multiple sexual partners should be tested every six months and use protection consistently until the results come back from the testing center. Per year or per partner is a good rule of thumb when it comes to getting tested.
10. What is the most common STI to be transmitted between partners?
a) HIV
b) HPV
c) Chlamydia
d) Genital herpes
e) B & C
#10. The correct answer is…e.) Chlamydia & HPV
According to the CDC, Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. An estimated 2.8 million infections occur annually. HPV is the most reported viral sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. According to the CDC there are an estimated 6 million new infections of HPV each year. It can cause genital warts, as well as cervical, penile, anal, oral, and throat cancer. It is an incurable virus that can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact and in many cases has no symptoms, making the rate of transmission very high.
11. If I do everything right and my form of barrier protection still fails, I have no way to prevent pregnancy.
a) True
b) False
#11. The correct answer is…b.) False
Plan B is a pill that is emergency contraception for when your form of birth control fails, or you didn’t use any protection. It needs to be taken within 120 hours after a risk, but the sooner you take it the more effective it is. Many campus health centers offer Plan B, and it is available over the counter without prescription if you are over 17.
12. How can you tell for sure if a potential sexual partner has an STI?
a) By sight
b) By asking the partner
c) By making sure your partner has been tested for STIs
d) All the above
#12. The correct answer is…c.) By making sure your partner has been tested for STIs.
Testing is the only sure way to know if someone has an STI. Doctors often can’t tell by sight if someone has an STI. Asking a person is no guarantee. The person may not realize that he or she has an STI, or the person could lie about his or her health history.
How Did You Score?
If you answered 10-12 correctly, you most likely have a good knowledge of STIs and other important factors to consider when having sex.
If you answered 7-9 correctly, you may know some fundamentals about safer sex, but you really should find out more about STIs and protection.
If you answered 6 or fewer correctly, you need to learn a lot about the basics of safer sex.
Go to the Find Out More box at the end of this article and CLICK through to the resources listed.
Sex on Campus: A Look at the Latest Statistics
The Spring 2011 American College Health Association–National College Health Assessment surveyed 105,781 university students and found that:
• 38% reported receiving a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV).
• 28% reported being tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
• 16.5% of university students who drank alcohol reported having unprotected sex in the last 12 months as a result of their drinking.
• 29% reported having no sexual partners in the past 12 months.
• 44% reported having 1 sexual partner in the past 12 months.
• 10% reported having 2 sexual partners in the past 12 months.
• 16% reported having 3 or more sexual partners in the past 12 months.
DR. JONI FRATER & ESTHER LASTIQUE ARE SEXOLOGISTS WHO TEACH COLLEGE STUDENTS ABOUT SAFE AND HEALTH SEXUALITY. THEY ARE CREATORS OF “SEX ED BOOT CAMP” (WWW.SEXBOOTCAMP.COM).
Find Out More
Click for more about safer sex options and how to protect yourself from the Planned Parenthood website.
Click for more safer & smarter sex tips from the Bacchus Network website.
Click for some great ideas on how to start a conversation with your partner about STI testing from HealthFinder.gov.
For more on sexual protection and birth control, CLICK HERE.