Condoms
Latex condoms and spermicide are very
effective against sexually transmitted
infection transmission during vaginal or anal
intercourse. It is strongly recommend that
condoms always be used with additional
lubricant (even if your condom is
prelubricated with a spermicide), giving
about a 99% effectiveness rate against
pregnancy, when both are used correctly
every time.
Dental Dams
A dental dam is a small sheet of latex, which
acts as a barrier between the vagina or anus
and the mouth. Dental dams get their name
because they are used during dental surgery
such as root canals. Due to the possible
infectious secretions from both the vagina
and anus, the dental dam is becoming a
more popular safer sex tool.
Female Condoms
The Female Condom 2 (FC2), approved by
the FDA, now available at the University of
Maryland’s Health Center. More popular
overseas, the FC2 offers women a choice
that they can initiate that will provide dual
protection again unintended pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include
HIV/AIDS.
For information about the female condom
and other sexual health related information,
contact the University Health Center’s
Sexual Health coordinator Ms. Jenna
Beckwith, jbeckwith@health.umd.edu, or
call 301.314.8130
All of these Safer Sex barriers are available for FREE
at the Health Promotion Office, ground floor Health Center.
301-314-8130 or jbeckwith@health.umd.edu with any questions.
Male
Condoms
•Intended to prevent pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and other STIs.
•Only use one at a time and DO NOT RESUSE!
•Come in latex & non-latex.
•UHC has a wide variety of shapes, brands, and sizes to best meet your needs.
•Flavored condoms are available for Oral Sex (many STIs can be passed through Oral Sex).
The #1 reason why condoms break/fail is because they aren’t stored, used, and/or
lubricated properly. Please read the enclosed directions to get the maximum protection out
of your condom.
Female
Condoms
•Intended to prevent pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and other STIs.
•Only use one at a time and DO NOT RESUSE!
•Come non-latex material.
•Provide even more protection against HPV & Herpes than Male Condoms.
•An alternative to Male Condoms, offers another option and variety
•Can be used for vaginal and anal sex (remove inner ring for anal).
•Can be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse.
•Inner and outer rings can provide enhanced sensations.
If interested in Female Condoms, please read the enclosed instructions, talk with a Health
Center staff member, or visit http://www.fc2femalecondom.com/
Dental
Dam
Lubrication
(not a barrier)
•A small sheet which acts as a barrier between the vagina, anus , or any part of the body
coming in contact with the mouth (except the penis - use a flavored condom).
•Come in latex, non-latex, and scented varieties.
•Highly effective in reducing the oral transmission of STIs such as Herpes, HPV, and HIV.
•Before using, make sure that it is free from holes or punctures. You may want to place some
lube between the dental dam and the part of the body on which it is being placed
(increases natural sensation and helps to keep it in place).
•Make sure only one side is facing the genitals and do not flip it over.
•Use only once
•When it comes to sex, LUBE IS YOUR FRIEND! It will keep your barriers stronger and lasting
longer to prevent breakage.
•Lube can increase pleasure while reducing small tears in the skin caused by too much
friction. These small tears can promote the transmission of HIV/STIs.
•Water & Silicone based lube is safe to use with latex condoms.
•Do not use anything oil based and be careful or massage oils/lotions coming in contact
with the condom; oil can break down latex and promote breakage.
Your Sexual Health is YOUR Responsibility, ARE YOU COVERED?
If you choose to be sexually active, here are a few ways to make sex safer:
CONSENT
GET CONSENT. Sex without
consent is RAPE. If someone is
under the influence of alcohol
or other drugs, they cannot
LEGALLY give consent.
TESTING
If you are sexually active, it is
recommended to be HIV & STI
tested every 6 months or in
between partners.
You must ask your doctor to run
a full HIV/STI panel, they will NOT
automatically test you at your
annual/regular appointment.
*The most common symptom of
an STI is NO SYMPTOMS – you
don’t know your status until you
get tested!
SELF EXAM - KNOW YOUR BODY
The sooner you recognize that
something “out of the ordinary”
is going on with your body:
•the sooner you can get
treatment
•the less damage it will do to
your body
•the less chance you will spread
it to other people.
MONOGAMY
We all define monogamy
differently, and that’s OK. But if
you are going to use
monogamy as a safer sex
practice, it’s best to know your
and your partner’s HIV/STI status.
Otherwise, you could be passing
an STI back and forth or reexposing yourself every time you
are sexually intimate!
VACCINATION
If you are interested, the Health
Center provides vaccinations
against the most common
strains of HPV. HPV is the most
commonly diagnosed STI at
UMCP. The vaccine is safe for
men and women
•Gardasil: vaccinates against
high & low risk HPV
•Cervarix: vaccinates against
high risk HPV only
EDUCATION
Come by the Health Center or
schedule one of our Sexual
Health Programs!
Many STIs are passed through
genital skin to skin touching and
through oral/anal sex. Know
how to reduce your risks with
every sexual act.
Be aware that sex under the
influence is more likely to lead to
STI transmission and/or
unplanned pregnancies.
Plan B is available over the
counter (17+)at the UHC
Pharmacy ($30)
COMMUNICATION
A few things that could be
helpful to discuss with your
sexual partners:
•HIV & STI testing status/results
•Boundaries/limits
•Protection
•Birth Control
•The “WHAT IFs”
BARRIERS
The UHC provides the following
Safer Sex barriers to you for FREE:
•Condoms
•Female Condoms
•Dental Dams
•Lubrication (not a barrier)
The #1 reason why
condoms/barriers break or fail is
because they are not stored,
used, and/or lubricated
properly. Please read the
instructions inside if you are
interested in getting the most
safety out of your protection!
If you are sexually active, it is recommended to be HIV & STI tested every 6
months or in between partners.
You must ask your doctor to run a full HIV/STI panel, they will NOT
automatically test you at your annual/regular appointment.
*The most common symptom of an STI is NO SYMPTOMS – you don’t know
your status until you get tested!
Throughout each semester the University Health Center
offers FREE testing to both students and non-students. The
services are on a first come, first served basis! All testing
will be located on the ground floor of the University Health
Center.
•
Call 301-314-8184 or visit www.myuhc.umd.edu to schedule an
appointment.
•
The cost may range depending on whether you are paying out of pocket or
billing to insurance and what kind of insurance you have.
•
If you do not want the test billed to your insurance, notify your doctor at
the beginning of the appointment.
NOT EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS?
1. Still want to see a doctor? Follow the instructions above.
2. Looking for a LOW-COST option? Visit our No Symptoms - STI Clinic.
$24 STI Testing
$25 HIV Testing
$49 for both
3. Come to a FREE testing event (check website for details).
4. Go directly to our LAB on the 1st floor for HIV testing ONLY.
$10 – 2 week results
$25 – next day results
STI TESTING
EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS?
Sexual Health
For many people, talking to a healthcare provider about your sexual health can
be intimidating. You might feel embarrassed about the questions that you
have; you might not want to admit to certain feelings or fears about your
health.
However, being able to communicate with your healthcare provider about
your sexual health and concerns is critical for them to provide you with the
highest quality and most accurate care.
Birth control methods are not one-size-fits-all. A method that’s perfect
for one person may not be right for another. Picking a birth control
method that fits your life is the key. You may prefer to use a hormonal
contraceptive, a barrier method, or a combination of the two! Only you
can decide what is best for you. But sometimes figuring out which
method to use can be a bit overwhelming. Our staff is here to help you
with that process
The Pill
The birth control pill is safe and
effective for preventing
unintended pregnancy. However,
birth control pills, like all hormonal
methods of contraception, do not
protect you from HIV or other
sexually transmitted infections
(STIs).
The Patch The Ring
The birth control patch (Ortho Evra) is
an adhesive patch that contains both
Estrogen and Progesterone. One
patch is applied on the body and it
stays on for one week.
The Vaginal Ring (Nuva Ring) is a vaginal
contraceptive ring. One ring is placed in
the vagina and remains in place for three
weeks. At the end of the third week, the
ring is removed and thrown away.
Maggi Bridwell
Center for Women's Health
Second Floor, University Health
Center
(301) 314-8190. Fax: (301) 3143596.
Appointments
Select appointments may be
made via the web at
www.myuhc.umd.edu.
Appointments may also be made
by phone (301) 314-8190
Monday through Friday, 8:30am
to 4:30pm.
Women’s Health Services offered at the
University are:
 Annual Gynecology Exam
Colposcopy
Contraceptive (birth control) Services
and Emergency Contraception
Pregnancy Testing and Counseling
Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing