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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 2003)
WELL NOW Fall, 2003 o UNIVERSITY OF OREGON Kick the Habit! Tobacco related dis eases are top killers in America and most smokers want to quit. Here’s how. Balancing Act Can you strike a bal ance between work and play? Of course you can. _EAfiE 3 _ Ephedra: Undressed! If you still think this is a harmless herb, read about one study from Poison Control Centers. At Your Service The University Health Center offers a vast range of serv ices for sick and well students. Factoids Interesting health tidbits to get you thinking PAGE 4 Mental Training Don’t forget about your brain when de veloping your brawn. Fresh la Best! The wonderful craze over vege diets and books to help guide you. Health Happenings Find out about up coming events through the Univer sity Health Center’s Health Education Program Plays Well With Others: A brief guide to happy sex By Anna Hall his is not a guide to just-like-in-the-movies sex with suave, passionate scenes and mood-music surging in the background. No, this is a suggestion manual for those aspiring to the real thing:sex that can be sultry,funny,excit ing, romantic, daring, or crazy—just as long as everybody present is having a good time. For the vast majority of us, happy sex in one form or another is our goal when heading into a sexual encounter. Yet despite this surge of good will, 1 out of every 6 college age women,and 1 in 10 college age men are the victims of rape or sex ual assault. According to the American College Health Association^ in 5 victims of sexual assault know their attackers. The implication is that even among proponents of happy sex (i.e. individuals opposed to sexual assault),the boundaries be tween acceptable and unacceptable sexual be havior are sometimes blurred and crossed unwit tingly Knowing when to let the good times roll, how to understand what your partner wants, and when to call it all off,are the keys to keeping the sex good and the mojo flowing. Oftentimes open communication is left in the dust for fear that starting a dialogue about sex will “break the mood”. However,there is NOTHING that destroys the mood more than overstepping your partner’s boundaries. In addition to irrepara bly destroying the lovin’feeling, it can result in lifelong emotional damage for both parties - as well as criminal charges. Communicating with your partner and verifying that both of you are equally gung-ho about the imminent events (more commonly called obtaining consent) is a crucial element of any sexual encounter. Consent is voluntary actively offered positive approval or encouragement of sexual activity giv en by someone who is in no way intoxicated or incapacitated,and which can be revoked at any time. This is true whether in a long term relationship or not. While consent can be given in a variety of ways,enthusiasm for one level of activity (say kissing or touching) does not in any way im ply that the individual has agreed to go further. It’s important to keep in mind that expressing willingness and sexual desire is an ac tive process. Simply be cause an individual is not re sisting or responding with negative feedback, one can not assume that consent has been given. How can you approach the situation without sounding like a broken record (“Is this okay? How about now? Still okay? Now?”)? How about asking your part ner what they would like to do and how they like it done? This allows them to establish boundaries that they are comfortable with, while also letting you in on their favorite turn-ons. Be sure,howev er, that you go no further than they have asked you to go,and be ready to stop at their request. On the flip side,clearly communicating your own desires to a willing partner enables them to better respect and satisfy you. While stopping to talk about sex during a moment of passion may seem like an awkward proposition.it demonstrates confidence and respect for yourself and your partner. Ultimately it is the only way to insure that sex will be as happy as you were hoping for. Other ways to support happy sex include be ing aware of friends or acquaintances who en gage in non-consentual sexual behaviors,and joining with others to monitor their social interac tions. This can mean intervening,warning poten tial victims,and alerting authorities if need be. Supporting survivors of sexual violence and con tinuing to educate yourself and others regarding healthy sexual attitudes and practices are also important elements to ending acquaintance rape. There are a variety of resources both on and off campus for survivors and those interested in wiping out sexual violence in our community To find out more about programs,resources and classes on this topic,stop by the Fteer Health Edu cation Office,Counseling Center,or the ASUO Women’s or Men’s Centers in the EMU. “Did You Just Say Oops?” 8/ Danielle Chiacco he fear and uncertainty involved with an unprotected sexual encounter can be extremely overwhelming. As if the raft of diseases that we can contract weren’t enough, there is the risk of pregnancy for heterosexual women. Whether you are away on vacation or at home.it is important to know your options when dealing with sexual health and safety Let’s start with possible pregnancy Unprotect ed sex, whether your contraception method failed or was never used,can result in pregnancy Emergency contraception (EC) or Plan B is now available as two hormone pills taken within 120 hours of unprotected sex. It is most effective if taken within the first 24 hours. According to Woman’s Capitol Corporation,emergency contra ception reduces the risk of pregnancy by 95% when used correctly However, EC is not recom mended as a regular substitute for a primary form of birth control. It is not as effective as any ongoing contraceptive method. Most important ly, it does not protect against HIV or any other sex ually transmitted infections (STI). The increased amount of hormone in Plan B prevents fertilization from occurring by delaying ovulation and altering the lining of the uterus. In this way EC actually prevents pregnancy It should not be confused with RU-486,which works after pregnancy is established. Some women complain of nausea and vomiting after taking EC. However, the newer regimen has pro duced fewer side effects and your health practi tioner can prescribe medication to help alleviate these symptoms. EC requires a prescription in Oregon and stu dents can get such here at the UO Health Center. We are open seven days a week, but some practi tioners still suggest that sexually active women keep a prescription at home in case an emer gency arises and it’s difficult to get to the clinic. Plan B is available for $ 12.50 or free to students who qualify for FPEP a federally funded health program. Call 346-2770 to see if you qualify Like any hormone method of contraception, EC doesn’t reduce the risk of infection with STls. Medical practitioners at the Health Center can test for STls, most of which can be treated or cured. EC also can’t undo a sexual encounter that was not consentual. For individuals who have experienced sexual assault,Health Center practitioners can help connect students to re sources including Sexual Assault Support Ser vices and the Office of Student Life. To locate a provider while away from home,contact the na tionwide EC Hotline at 1^800-584-9911. This hot line is available 24 hours a day in Spanish and English.
