Checking for air bubbles in a condom to make sure it’s safe for use before having sex was one of many topics covered in the first “Let’s Talk About Sex” workshop Feb. 5 at the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Petaluma campus.
The multifaceted workshop included an informative slide show on the particulars of sexual intercourse such as STDs, contraception, sexual communication and resources for students.
“Having the ability to communicate needs and desires with partners and health care providers around when, how, and with whom we would like to be sexually active is the key to mitigating unsafe, undesirable, or unintended situations,” said PEERS Coalition Coordinator Becky Fein in an email interview.
“I thought it was very informational. It was interesting, of course, because it’s about sex,” said SRJC student Nina Mendia.
SRJC nurse practitioner Cindy Dickinson presented a slideshow about the various aspects of healthy sex. The PEERS [People Empowering Each other to Realize Success] Coalition team also presented an interactive and informative presentation on STDs, disease statistics, specifics on the many methods of contraception and condom use. “I have heard great examples of women making condom use exciting and men getting really skilled at condom use. The sense of safety and relief of risk can be a real pleasure enhancement for many people,” Dickinson said on email.
Dickinson and members of the PEERS team addressed common STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes and syphilis, and specified how they affect our bodies. Statistics showing the rate of diseases in the United States gave attendees insight on the increase, decrease and severity of STDs.
Both Dickinson and the PEERS Coalition team showed many methods of birth control and their general effectiveness. Condoms and withdrawal fell on the lower end of the effectiveness spectrum while the pill, patch, shot and IUDs fell on the higher end.
Students rotated around different tables to learn more about each particular topic. “I got a lot of questions answered,” said SRJC student Erika Malfavon. “It’s important to know the resources you have in school.”
Fein had more to add. “It is important for students to take advantage of the many free or low-cost services and resources that are available to them, both on and off campus,” she said. Know where and how to get tested, receive birth control and emergency contraception, find information and other important tools for a healthier, more pleasurable life.”