College students often talk about hooking up with someone they meet at a bar or party. The one night of passion is supposed to be enjoyable; however, it can go wrong with consequences that last a lifetime.
Sexual health is an important topic that many students are aware of, but not many know what options are available to assist them when problems arise. Pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are topics that many are afraid to discuss even with their closest friends.
UW-Madison students are fortunate to have a variety of options for confidential help. University Health Services offers a special Blue Bus service to serve students with sexual health visits. Planned Parenthood has two clinics located in Madison and the Pregnancy Information Center, 1605 Monroe St., offers help to people faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
Each year UHS screens 3,600 students for sexually transmitted diseases. Of those tested, about 300 have an STD. Another 7,000-8,000 come in for birth control or other women's health issues.
With a student population of approximately 40,000, the number of STDs diagnosed at UW-Madison each year is relatively low.
Craig Roberts of UHS said, \It is probably less of a problem than students think it is. We see far more people who are just routinely getting tested out of concerns than actually have [STDs].""
Roberts also said there is a ""relatively high rate of condom use among college students compared to other populations.""
However, not all students with STDs come into UHS. Many students go to Planned Parenthood or to their doctor at home.
Sex Out Loud is a student group that informs students about different issues related to sex. While the pleasure presentation is the most requested, the safer sex presentation is also highly requested because many housefellows want residents to have safer sex.
""There is a problem but it could be much worse,"" Jessica Brumm of Sex Out Loud said.
""I think we do need to do more than we are doing as a campus,"" she added.
""I think [students] are concerned [about sexual health] when there is a problem,"" George Jungbluth of Sex Out Loud said.
Brumm said one of the biggest misconceptions students have is that oral sex is safe. During oral sex you can get and pass sexually transmitted infections. Oral herpes can also be passed to the genitals during oral sex.
""No one ever thinks they are at risk. They are surprised when they see how easy it is to contract,"" Jungbluth said.
Planned Parenthood offers confidential assistance to anyone. Patients pay based on a sliding scale according to their income.
The two Madison offices are located at 416 W. Mifflin St. and 2202 S. Park St., Ste. 400.
In 2001 Planned Parenthood had 14,000 patient visits with 35 percent of those visits being women ages 20 to 24.
Seventy-three percent of services are for contraceptives and 64 percent are for health exams.
Confidentiality is a major concern of most students.
""Our services are completely confidential,"" Public Affairs organizer for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Lauren Rank said.
Planned Parenthood offers annual health exams, STI treatments and screenings, HIV and AIDS testing, and condom distribution.
""The parents sometimes are not aware that they are using our services. We do definitely encourage discussion to any of the clients that come in and their parents, but it is completely confidential so it is up to them as to what they want to disclose,"" Rauk said.
People are often afraid to discuss sexual health issues because, Brumm said, ""There is a huge stigma against having an STD. It is something very shameful.""
