Sexual Health
Your college years are an exciting time of meeting new people, developing new romantic relationships, and coming to understand your sexual identity. During this time, there may be positive and negative experiences regarding dating and intimate relationships. We want to help you make healthy and informed decisions.
An STI is a sexually transmitted infection, and an STD is a sexually transmitted disease. The terms are often used interchangeably.
There is not one general test to cover all STIs/STDs. Some tests can be done together in the same procedure, but others require different samples and testing techniques.
If you have a sore or some unusual symptom, please let Student Health Services know when you call so that they can schedule you as soon as possible. There are male and female providers, so let them know if you have a preference.
Things You Should Know
Abstinence is ALWAYS an option. Take time to decide your choices and preferences BEFORE you're in the situation, check out the checklist at www.scarleteen.com
The Gardasil® vaccine is strongly encouraged for both men and women; it protects against 90% of the strains of genital warts and 70% of Cervical Cancer cases in women. This vaccine is available at Student Health Services.
If you have questions regarding your sexual health, don't be afraid to ask a provider at Student Health Services.
Types of Condoms Offered Free at UND
Free condoms and other materials are available at Health & Wellness Promotion as well as Student Health Services.
We offer a variety of sizes, colors, textures, and brands. We are unable to guarantee any specific type, brand, style or size.
All condoms in the United States that are FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved are equally effective against pregnancy and STIs. Condoms are considered Class II Medical Devices by the FDA, which puts them in the same category of regulation as IV tubing and prosthetic heart valves, and means that samples from each type of condom go through a battery of tests, including electric current tests, water leak tests and air burst tests in order to become FDA-approved.
How to Use a Condom and Oral Dental Dam
Condom
- Buy condoms (or get them for free from the Health & Wellness Hub or Student Health Services)
- Store them in a safe place, at room temperature (not in your car or a wallet)
- Discuss safer sex options with your partner (before you're in the act)
- Get consent from your partner
- Check expiration date on the condom
- Open condom, with hands, not teeth
- Check condom for holes or tears
- Dab lubricant on the tip of the penis
- Pinch tip of condom, to squeeze out any air
- Place rolled condom over the tip of the hard penis
- Roll the condom down the length of the penis
- Smooth out any air bubbles
- Lubricate outside of the condom (use water-based lubricant)
- Have sex
- Ejaculate
- Hold the condom against the base of the penis
- Pull out before the penis softens
- Remove condom from penis
- Tie off the end of the condom so semen doesn't spill out
- Throw the condom away—in a trash can, not in the toilet
- Wash the penis with soap and water
Oral Dental Dam
- Buy condoms (or get them for free from the Wellness Center or Student Health Services)
- Store them in a safe place, at room temperature (not in your car or a wallet)
- Discuss safer sex options with your partner (before you're in the act)
- Get consent from your partner
- Check the expiration date
- Open condom, with hands, not teeth
- Check condom for holes or tears
- If using a male condom as an oral dam, unroll the condom all the way out and cut up the side of the condom. This is the only time you can use scissors or fingernails on condoms, be careful to only cut along one side
- If lubricant (water-based) is used, it's recommended it be placed on the side that will be facing the "receiver" of oral sex. This will also help hold the oral dam in place
- Place the oral dam over the vagina or anus
- Lubricant (water-based) can be used on the side of the "giver" of oral sex if desired. This can be flavored or non-flavored
- Hold the oral dam in place as you're giving oral sex. (IMPORTANT: Once the oral dam touches your partner you should not turn the oral dam over; if it slips/drops away from the body, it's recommended you throw it away and get a new one as the fluids are already on the oral dam.
- Once you have finished, remove used oral dam from your partner.
- Carefully dispose of the oral dam in the trash can. Do not flush it down the toilet.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Repeat these steps for each and every time you engage in oral sex, even if you switch types of sexual activity during the same session.
There are many ways to prevent pregnancy, including abstinence! Not all contraceptives protect against STI's and some are more effective than others. Because of the many options available we encourage you to check out the resources below and visit with your medical provider about the option that best fits your needs!
Student Health Services at UND provides many of these options - schedule your appointment today.
What is consent?
- A voluntary, sober, mutual, honest, and verbal agreement.
- An active agreement, which cannot be coerced.
- A process, which must be asked for every step of the way.
- Never implied and cannot be assumed.
- A joint decision.
When in Doubt
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Red: Stop |
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Yellow: Talk before proceeding |
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Green: Go |
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Adapted from the American College Health Association.
Sexual Assault and Harassment
UND takes sexual assault and harassment seriously. UND's Title IX policy addresses these concerns.
CVIC and UND have partnered to offer advocacy services to UND students and employees who have been impacted by intimate partner violence, sexual assault, harassment, and stalking and to provide prevention education for students.