It's easy to feel as though the whole world is having sex. The truth is that some people are having loads, and some aren't having any. Whether you have a different partner every night, or are a virgin and intend to stay that way, what matters is that you have access to the right information when you need it. Whatever you chose to do, the most important thing is to ensure that you stay safe.

Contraception

There are loads of different methods of contraception, the most common being the condom and the pill. For a comprehensive guide to the different types, take a look at the CUSU guide.

Condoms

Despite being the most commonly used form of contraception, a recent survey from The Terence Higgins Trust and NUS has shown that many students are clueless about condoms! Check out the facts in our exciting Condom factfile!

Where to get hold of contraception

CUSU sells condoms, dental dams, lubricant and latex gloves at cost price. You can drop into the CUSU office (on the New Museums site in the Old Examination Halls, number 21 on this map http://www.cam.ac.uk/map/v4/drawmap.cgi?mp=nmus;xx=181;yy=165;mt=c ) to pick them up or contact the CUSU Welfare & Graduates Officer. Click here for a list of the exciting goodies they have on offer:

http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/services/sexualhealth.html.

Some contraceptives (e.g. the pill, diaphragm and cap) are available only through your GP or family planning clinic. Others can be brought over the counter from a chemist (e.g. morning after pill). If you wish to find out more about going on the pill, or want to get a diaphragm, you will need to make an appointment with you GP, there's absolutely no need to feel embarrassed about this, they do it all the time! For more information on the morning after pill, take a look at the Emergency Contraception page in the women's section.

***After literally months of negotiations, Queens' now has a FREE condom machine!***

In the past the welfare committee has always been able to distribute condoms (and this service will continue), however due to security risks this has always had to take place face-to-face. The new machine will be situated in the laundry room, and dispenses boxes of three Safex condoms. It is for EMERGENCY USE ONLY, for all grads and undergrads in Queens'.

This machine is the result of a great deal of hard work on the part of the JCR welfare committee, and will be funded and maintained by the welfare and women's officers. For this reason, we ask that you please do not abuse the system, and do use it only for emergencies, rather than to replace any regular supply. Please see below for more details about where to get hold of a regular, free/cost price supply of condoms.

We will place a collection box next to the machine. The cost price of the condoms is approximately 50p for three, if you do have any change, please do pop some in the box as you take the condoms, as this will ensure that we can keep the service running, and that on the occasion that you don't have change there will still be a supply available.

The machine will be checked and re-stocked on a regular basis. However, if it should be empty, please send an email to me (ajbd2), or Charlotte, the women's officer (jm550) and we will re-stock it as soon as possible.

You can also still get condoms for free from Ali Dykes, Erni Visser or Charlotte Benton (We also have satchets of lube. For condoms, I'm afraid you have to come to our room, we can't leave them in your pigeon hole), Finally, there's a condom machine in the womens and mens' toilets in Cripps court too.

Beyond the university, condoms are supplied free of charge by the Family Planning Association, The Laurels, Clinic 1A and some GPs. Condoms, femidoms, dental dams and lubricant are available free of charge from DHIVERSE.

Sexual Health

Due to the vast number of them, and their scary sounding names and symptoms, STIs can be a bit of a daunting topic. However, there are a few simple things you can do to stay STI free.

The only way to ensure that you remain entirely free from all infections is abstinence. However, if you do wish to have sex, using a barrier or shield will protect you from almost all STIs. These include condoms, femidoms, oral sheilds/dental dams and latex gloves.

What are they?!

Condom

What: Latex penis shaped 'glove' that fits over an erect penis.
How to use: Firstly, check that the condom has the British Standard (kite) Mark and the European Standard (CE) Mark. Also check that it's expiry date hasn't passed. The condom needs to be put on just before penetration, to catch any precum. Carefully tear the foil, being careful not to damage the condom - you may find it useful to push the condom to one side of the foil to keep it well clear. Make sure you've got it the right way round (so it can be rolled down the penis) and place it onto the end of an erection, making sure you squeeze the teat - otherwise there'll be nowhere for the semen to go, and the condom may well split. Carefully roll the condom down the shaft of the penis - this can be fun to do together. After ejactualtion, hold the condom on to the base of the penis as you withdraw. Carefully remove the condom, wrap in tissue and place in a bin - don't flush down a toilet. Condoms can't be reused - only use once, and that includes if you come before penetrating.
What protects against: condoms offer protection against unplanned pregnancy, and when used correctly provide 99% protection from STIs which can be caught during intercourse. They're a simple, quick and easy way to make your sex safer.

Femidom

What: a 'reverse condom' which fits inside the vagina or anus.
How to use: insert before penetration by squeezing the ring in the closed end so it becomes long and thin. Slowly insert and release so that the ring expands. Make sure that the penis is inserted into the femidom, and not to the side.
What protects against: STIs that can be prevented by using a barrier method.

Oral Shield

What: a thin square of latex (although non-latex versions are available)
How to use: place over the area you're making contact with (the vagina for oral sex, the anus for rimming) and use it as a barrier between your tongue and your partner.
What protects against: STIs that can be prevented by using a barrier method.

Latex glove

What: a thin glove made of latex.
How to use: wear for activities such as fisting or fingering.
What protects against: STIs that can be prevented by using a barrier method.

For a list of STIs, their symptoms and a bit of sciencey information, the CUSU site is great. Alternatively, try the NHS direct site for comprehensive information and advice.

Getting Tested

STI free? How sure are you?

If you are sexually active, it is generally recommended that you get tested as a matter of course once per year. The easiest way to do this is to go to a GUM clinic. The nearest clinic to Queens' is The Laurels, which is within walking distance (just behind the Grafton Centre).

The Laurels is open:

* Tuesday: 9.30-13.30
* Wednesday: 14.00-17.00
* Thursday: 14.00 - 17.00
* Friday: 9.30 - 13.30

For appointments or advice call: 08456505152
Scary although it might sound, visiting the clinic shouldn't be something to worry about. However, if you would like company, I am happy to come with you, email me at hvu20.

Chlamydia Tests

Did you know that 1/10 people have chlamydia?
That it can have no symptons?
That it can cause infertility and blindness?
Or that it can be treated with a simple course of antibiotics?

Queens' is currently offering free. self-administered chlamydia tests! All you have to do is either wee in a pot (men) or take a simple swab (women, don't worry, it's completely painless), drop it anonymously in a box in the reception of a doctors surgery, and pop a form in the post. Then you will be texted or called to find out your results, it really is that easy!

To get your test, just email me (Helen Undy), Juliet Mushens (Women's officer) or Russel Pritchard (LBGT), and we will put one in your pigeon hole. Alternatively, you can put an anonymous note in one of our pigeon holes, and we will leave one in there in an un-marked envelope.

When you fill in the information on the test pot, please do make sure you fill in every field, especially the date, otherwise the lab might not be able to test it. You will also need to fill in the code for the test centre, ours is 5JHUG.