Pelvic exams are a routine part of preventive health care for women. At some point in life, all women should have a pelvic exam so it is important to familiarize yourself with the procedure and the reasons that health care providers recommend it. Why do I need one? What exactly is a pelvic exam?

A pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. A pap smear may or may not be a part of a pelvic exam. For more information on when and why you need a pap smear go to http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pap-smear/MY00090

Protect yourself and your partner from unintended pregnancy, HIV, and STIs (sexually transmitted infections)!

Remember:

• Choosing not to have sex provides 100 percent protection from HIV, STIs, and pregnancy.
• Using alcohol or drugs can impair your judgment and make you less able to make good decisions about sex.
• Use a condom every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
• There are ways to express sexual feelings without having sex – masturbation, massage, and kissing are all no or low risk activities.
• Sharing needles can also transmit HIV, so don’t do it!
  

Know your STI facts and keep yourself safe!

One of the best resources for information is the GYT (get yourself tested) site http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/know/

Here's another source of information from the CDC (center for disease control) http://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm

What is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)?

You can be vaccinated against HPV! For details go to http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hpv/vac-faqs.htm

Men take note: an HPV vaccine (Gardasil) has now been approved for use in males ages 9-26. For details on HPV in men and the importance of being vaccinated go to http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm

Note: The HPV vaccine is expensive! If you are insured and your insurance covers the vaccine you may want to contact your primary care provider about getting the vaccine through them. If your insurance doesn't cover the vaccine or you are uninsured, there are two options:

• If you are uninsured or underinsured, the Portage County Health Department offers the vaccine for $5 per shot. For information and the location go to http://www.co.portage.oh.us/healthdept_pages/hpv.htm
• If you have insurance but it doesn't cover the HPV vaccine, please stop at the Student Health Service front desk and we can assist you in getting coverage for the vaccine through the Merck Patient Assistance Program.

What are my birth control options?​

Emergency contraception (EC) is medication that can be taken to prevent pregnancy after no birth control was used during sex, or if the birth control method failed, such as a condom breaking or slipping. Women can take emergency contraceptive pills up to 5 days after unprotected sex, but the sooner the pills are taken, the better they will work. If you think you need EC, please call Student Health Service at 715-346-4646 to schedule an appointment with a medical provider. EC is also available without a prescription to women over age 18 at area pharmacies.

Sexual assault is any sexual contact or sexual intercourse in which the victim does not give or cannot give consent. (See Wisconsin State Statute 940.225)

What to do if you are a victim of sexual assault:

• Get to a safe place and seek medical attention immediately - call 911 if you have safety or medical concerns. St Michael's Hospital ER (900 Illinois Avenue, Stevens Point - 715-346-5100) is the nearest facility with staff trained to perform exams in sexual assault cases.
• Do not shower, bathe, douche or change clothes. This is your only opportunity to collect evidence although you do not need to decide today whether you will seek any legal action.
• When you seek medical care, you can expect to be examined for physical injuries and will be evaluated for and given information and testing for pregnancy and STI's including HIV. Evidence will be collected for a criminal investigation. Having this examination keeps your options open should you decide to pursue legal action now or in the future.
• Contact the UWSP Counseling Center at 715-346-3553 and Sexual Assault Victim Services (SAVS) at 715-343-7114 for free and confidential support.
• Write down everything you remember about the assault in the event that you take legal action at any point.
  
• If the sexual assault occurred within the last 24 hours, you should proceed as noted above to the nearest local emergency room for evaluation. However, if this is a past history of assault, whether it happened in the distant past or more recently, Student Health Service is a safe and non-judgmental place to seek care. Simply call 715-346-4646 to schedule an appointment with a medical provider. You will be counseled and offered evaluation including testing for pregnancy and STIs including HIV. You will also be provided with resources on campus and in the community to help support you in your healing process.

Learn how to perform a Breast Self Exam​

Using a condom every time you have sex is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. So put one on and protect both you and your partner!  Also,a dental dam (a latex square which is placed over the genital area) can provide protection for men performing oral sex. If you don’t have a dental dam, a condom can be unrolled and cut to create a barrier.  Learn how to properly use a condom with this video from Trojan Condoms.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in American males between the ages of 15 and 34. Regular testicular self-examinations can help identify growths early, when the chance for successful treatment of testicular cancer is highest.

Learn how to perform a Testicular Self Exam

Using a condom every time you have sex is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. So put one on and protect both you and your partner!

Also,a dental dam (a latex square which is placed over the genital area) can provide protection for men performing oral sex. If you don’t have a dental dam, a condom can be unrolled and cut to create a barrier.

Learn how to properly use a condom with this video from Trojan Condoms.

Protect yourself and your partner from unintended pregnancy, HIV, and STIs (sexually transmitted infections)!

Remember:

• Choosing not to have sex provides 100 percent protection from HIV, STIs, and pregnancy.
• Using alcohol or drugs can impair your judgment and make you less able to make good decisions about sex.
• Use a condom every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
• There are ways to express sexual feelings without having sex – masturbation, massage, and kissing are all no or low risk activities.
• Sharing needles can also transmit HIV, so don’t do it!

Know your STI facts and keep yourself safe!

One of the best resources for information is the GYT (get yourself tested) site http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/know/

Here's another source of information from the CDC (center for disease control) http://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm

What is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)?

You can be vaccinated against HPV! For details go to http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hpv/vac-faqs.htm

Men take note: an HPV vaccine (Gardasil) has now been approved for use in males ages 9-26. For details on HPV in men and the importance of being vaccinated go to http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm

Note: The HPV vaccine is expensive! If you are insured and your insurance covers the vaccine you may want to contact your primary care provider about getting the vaccine through them. If your insurance doesn't cover the vaccine or you are uninsured, there are two options:

• If you are uninsured and under age 19, the Portage County Health Department offers the vaccine for $5 per shot. For information and the location go to http://www.co.portage.oh.us/healthdept_pages/hpv.htm
• If you have insurance but it doesn't cover the HPV vaccine, please stop at the Student Health Service front desk and we can assist you in getting coverage for the vaccine through the Merck Patient Assistance Program.

Sexual assault is any sexual contact or sexual intercourse in which the victim does not give or cannot give consent. (See Wisconsin State Statute 940.225)

What to do if you are a victim of sexual assault:

• Get to a safe place and seek medical attention immediately - call 911 if you have safety or medical concerns. St Michael's Hospital ER (900 Illinois Avenue, Stevens Point - 715-346-5100) is the nearest facility with staff trained to perform exams in sexual assault cases.
• Do not shower, bathe, or change clothes. This is your only opportunity to collect evidence although you do not need to decide today whether you will seek any legal action.
• When you seek medical care, you can expect to be examined for physical injuries and will be evaluated for and given information about STI's including HIV. Evidence will be collected for a criminal investigation. Having this examination keeps your options open should you decide to pursue legal action now or in the future.
• Contact the UWSP Counseling Center at 715-346-3553 and Sexual Assault Victim Services (SAVS) at 715-343-7114 for free and confidential support.
• Write down everything you remember about the assault in the event that you take legal action at any point.
• If the sexual assault occurred within the last 24 hours, you should proceed as noted above to the nearest local emergency room for evaluation. However, if this is a past history of assault, whether it happened in the distant past or more recently, Student Health Service is a safe and non-judgmental place to seek care. Simply call 715-346-4646 to schedule an appointment with a medical provider. You will be counseled and offered evaluation for STIs including HIV. You will also be provided with resources on campus and in the community to help support you in your healing process.