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.