Documents

Sexual Wellness Education

SEX 101

Terminology: within this page a number of questions will be answered, but we'd like to be on the same page regarding terminology.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): this is synonymous to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The term STIs is used instead as a number of STIs can be cured if caught in time whereas the use of the term "disease" leads some to believe they cannot be cured.

Risk reduction versus protection: the only way to protect oneself from STIs or an unplanned pregnancy is to abstain from sexual intercourse (oral, anal, and vaginal sex). If it's not realistic for an individual to abstain then they can only reduce their risk of an unplanned pregnancy and/or contracting/transmitting a STI. Therefore, throughout this website, you will see the term "risk reduction" or "reduce your risk" rather than the term "protect" or "protection".

Questions answered:

What is abstinence?

Abstinence means that there is no chance for bodily fluids to exchange (semen, vaginal secretions and/or blood) between partners. Therefore, abstinence means not having oral, vaginal or anal sex. However, abstinence may take on different definitions for different people, but it is important to know what your definition is, what risks are involved when following your definition, and where you stand regarding sexual activity before you get physically intimate with someone.

Can I be abstinent if I’ve had sex before?

Absolutely! Abstinence is a choice that can be made for a night, days, months, even a lifetime, or simply waiting until you find the right person and/or waiting for the right time and place to have sex. You can always choose abstinence, whether at the beginning, middle or end of any relationship.

What is sex?

Sex is any intimate physical activity in which there is a possible exchange of bodily fluids, including semen, vaginal secretions, and/or blood, between partners. Sex includes oral, vaginal, and anal sex!

How many partners does the average OSU student have in a year?

The majority of OSU students have 0 - 1 sexual partner(s) in a year (including oral, anal, and vaginal sex partner(s)):

  • 26.5% of OSU students reported having had no sexual partners in the last year.
  • 52.7% of OSU students reported having had one sexual partner in the last year.

From: The American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment completed by students from OSU in Spring 2006.

How many sexual partners in a year is considered "high risk" for STI transmission?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if a person has 3 or more sexual partners in a year (keep in mind, sexual partners include those who one has had oral, vaginal and/or anal sex with), they are considered "high risk" for the transmission of STIs, including HIV.

What exactly is "safer sex"?

Safer sex refers to sexual activity (oral, vaginal or anal) where a barrier is used (i.e., a condom or dental dam), which reduces the risk of bodily fluid transmission (semen, vaginal secretions, and/or blood) between partners.

Is there such a thing as "safe sex"?

No. No sex is 100% safe as there is always risk of STI transmission and/or unplanned pregnancy. The only 100% safe method is abstinence.

Am I still a virgin if I participate in oral and/or anal sex, but not vaginal sex?

If you consider "virginity" as not having had vaginal sex, then yes, you could still be considered a virgin if you have had oral and/or anal sex, but never vaginal sex. However, remember that STIs can be transmitted from all three types of sex - oral, vaginal and anal!

How do I get pregnant?

Vaginal sex is the only way to get pregnant (compared to oral and anal sex); however, infections and diseases, like chlamydia, gonhorrhea and HIV, call all be spread through oral, vaginal and anal sex.

Can I get pregnant and/or transmit an STI the first time I have sex?

Yes! It only takes one time to transmit an STI or get pregnant. This is why it's so important to practice safer sex for each and every sex act!

Are there STIs that can be spread without having sex?

Yes. Herpes (both Simplex 1 and Simplex 2), Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and some strains of Gonorrhea can all be spread by just skin-to-skin contact; no bodily fluid (semen, vaginal secretions, or blood) is needed to transmit these STIs.

If I choose to be sexually active, how can I reduce my risk of STIs and an unplanned pregnancy?

In general, practice safer sex. Condoms, both male and female, and oral dams are they only barrier methods that also reduce the risk of STI transmission. Other contraceptives, like the pill, patch, ring, Depo Provera, diaphragm, cervical cap and shield, are efficient at reducing one’s risk for pregnancy, but they do not reduce the risk of STIs.

Also, being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone who you know is not infected and who is only having sex with you will help you reduce your risk of STI transmission and limiting the number of sexual partners you have, in general, will also help to reduce your risk of STI transmission.

What is the "continuum of risk"?

This refers to all types of sexual activity, including oral, vaginal and anal sex, in which the risk associated with each type of sexual activity and whether or not a barrier is used is on a continuum. In general, risk for STIs is associated with all forms of sexual activity; however, unprotected oral sex is the least risky followed by unprotected vaginal sex followed by unprotected anal sex (least risky to most risky: oral sex - vaginal sex - anal sex). If a barrier is used for any of these sex acts, one’s risks of STIs is reduced (i.e., anal sex with a barrier is less risky than unprotected vaginal sex).

Is it harmful to masturbate?

Masturbation is actually very healthy as it helps to relieve sexual tension and stress, and when done alone, there is no risk for STI transmission or an unplanned pregnancy. Masturbation is a very personal issue, as some people choose to masturbate often, some choose to masturbate infrequently and others choose not to masturbate at all. How ever often one chooses to masturbate is perfectly fine as long as that person is comfortable. Masturbation becomes "harmful" if it starts to interfere with your daily life, activities and/or relationships with others (friends, family, partners, etc.), and/or if it is painful to you.

Where is the clitoris (clit)?

The clitoris, a small external female organ that is highly sensitive, is located above the opening of the urethra (the structure urine comes out of) and the vagina.

What is the "G-spot"?

There is some controversy surrounding this issue, some say it exists and others say that it does not exist. For those researchers (and others) who believe it exists, it is called the Grafenberg spot, or G-spot for short, and is sometimes called the "female prostate." It is located on the top side of the vagina, about half way between the pubic bone and cervix, when a female is lying down on her back. When this spot is stroked, there is a sensation or urge to urinate, but if the stroking is continued for a little while longer (a few seconds), it can be sexually pleasurable for females (Shibley Hyde, J. and DeLamater, J.D., Understanding Human Sexuality, Eighth Edition (2003)).

Is ejaculation the same thing as an orgasm?

No. Ejaculation is the release of semen from the penis; whereas, orgasm is a series of muscle contractions that release sexual tension and is usually very pleasurable. Although ejaculation usually occurs during orgasm, it does not have to (i.e., one can ejaculate without orgasm and one can orgasm without ejaculation). This is similar for female ejaculation as well.

If I choose to be sexually active, how often should I have sex?

This is a personal choice and there is no set number of times one should have sex in a day, a week, a month, or lifetime. Again, some sexually active people have sex more frequently than others. The thing to keep in mind is that the sex should always be consensual and agreed upon without force or coercion by every person involved. Like masturbation, sex becomes a problem if it interferes with your daily life, activities and/or relationships, and/or if it is painful or hurts you or the others involved.