Home | Departments | Clinic Services | Men/Women's Health
The department provides annual health exams with appropriate
screenings, pregnancy testing and counseling, birth control
services, testing and treatment for sexually-transmitted diseases
and other conditions affecting sexual and general health. Our
clinicians and support staff are sensitive to the health issues and
concerns facing gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and
heterosexual students. We invite you to discuss your concerns with
certainty of nonjudgmental treatment.
We do serve men as well. Men who would feel more comfortable
seeing a male clinician will be referred to a male clinician.
Sexual health problems of men may include concerns about
sexuality and sexual functioning, diagnosis and treatment of
sexually-transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections and
prostate conditions. Men need to be as concerned about the health
of their sexual organs as women. We encourage male students to do
regular self-exams of their testicles to check for the presence of
abnormalities (e.g., lumps) that could signal a serious condition
such as testicular cancer. This cancer occurs most commonly in
young men, so regular self-exam is critical. A brochure on this
self-exam procedure is available in the brochure rack by the second
floor main lobby.
An "annual exam" is recommended for all women starting at age 21
or 3 years after first sexual contact. This exam includes an
assessment of general health as well as sexual health; it includes
a thorough breast exam, pelvic exam and often a Pap smear - a laboratory
screening for cervical cancer. Women who have never been instructed
in the practice of breast self-exam will also be taught how to do
this procedure. Breast self-exam is an important first-line of
defense against breast cancer. If you have never had a pelvic exam,
our pamphlet titled, "Pelvic Examinations" will help you know what
to expect. The clinicians are sensitive to nuances surrounding this
important exam and can help you work through your feelings about
it.
Nationally, about 70 percent of college students report being
sexually active.The majority of these students are in heterosexual
relationships and therefore are capable of becoming pregnant,
whether or not they desire it. For many college students, pregnancy
creates a situation that requires difficult decision-making.
Sexual Health Services provides comprehensive birth control
services to registered students and we encourage students who are
sexually active to consider their need for contraception in advance
of sexual activity.
Whether you are seeking information about birth control or you
need help selecting a method that is suitable to your health,
lifestyle, and relationship, our clinicians can assist you. All
methods of birth control are available at SHS. Emergency
Contraception is also available. This is a medication that can be
taken within 5 days after unprotected intercourse to lower
pregnancy risk. It is more effective if taken as soon as possible
after unprotected intercourse.
Pregnancies do occur among OSU students -- planned and desired
ones as well as unplanned ones. Whether a student is afraid she is
pregnant or hopes that she is, our clinicians can provide accurate
diagnosis through a combination of examination and laboratory
testing. When an unplanned pregnancy is confirmed, all options are
made available to the student. No one will tell you what the best
option is for you. You will be provided adequate information to
carry out whichever decision is right for you and advised to make
that decision on the basis of personal and family values and other
relevant factors.
SHS does not perform abortion or adoption services. Referrals
for these resources are routinely made by the clinician who
diagnoses a pregnancy.
Pregnant students may continue to take advantage of all
available services unrelated to the pregnancy, including nutrition
counseling. However, since we do not provide obstetrical care,
students will be referred to local obstetricians or midwives for
prenatal care.
