Safer Sex
Safer sex is anything that we do to lower our risk of STIs, unwanted pregnancies, and sexual harm. We use the term “safer sex” and not “safe sex” because safety exists on a spectrum, and all partnered sexual activity does carry some level of risk.
There are a lot of ways to practice safer sex with your partners, and we invite you to use the ones that work best for you and your partners.
Here are some examples of possible safer sex practices:
- Using a barrier method, such as a condom or dam, to prevent fluid exchange and lower risk of STIs during sexual activity.
- Using a glove or finger cot while engaging in manual play if you have an open cut or sore on your hand.
- Getting tested for HIV and STIs regularly & informing all partners of most up to date status.
- Doing a genital self-exam before having sex with a new partner to check for changes such as bumps, rashes, sore, blisters, or changes in discharge.
You have both the right and responsibility to your partners to engage in safer sex. Safer sex looks like a variety of practices that help protect you and your partner from STIs and/or unwanted pregnancy. There are many safer sex practices you can use, and you should use the ones that both feel best for and protect you and your partners.STI Testing
Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV, is available for students by appointment at University Health Services. To schedule an appointment, use the online or call (847) 491-8100.
The cost of STI testing is covered under NU Student Health Insurance. The cost of STI testing is covered at 100% under the NU Student Health Insurance Plan (NU-SHIP). Those with other insurance plans, your insurance will be billed and any remainder will be billed to you. Call your insurance provider to ask about your coverage.
If you are looking for free or low cost testing services off campus, here are a few suggestions:
Evanston:
- Free & confidential HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, & Syphilis testing provided by Howard Brown on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 3 – 7 p.m.
- - Free HIV testing & low cost STI testing. Open 7 days a week. Appointments can be made by calling (312) 666-3494.
Chicago:
- Sexual Health Walk-in Clinic HIV & STI Testing
For more information about STIs and STI testing, visit , , .
HIV
HIV testing is available at the Student Health Service. It is billed to your insurance. Those with NU-SHIP are covered at 100%; those with other insurance plans should contact their plan for information about their coverage. The Student Health Service also offers prescriptions and monitoring for PrEP and PEP. Schedule an appointment with a clinician to talk about your options.
For more resources and information on HIV, AIDS, Pre- and Post- Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP/PrEP), and DoxyPEP, visit the following links:
FAQs
If I make an appointment at Student Health Services, what STIs will I be tested for?
The decision about what to test for and how often depends on each individual’s risk for different STIs. Individual risk is related to the number of sexual partners a person has had, types of sexual behavior they engaged in, whether any STI symptoms or abnormalities are present, and when the most recent sexual contact occurred. Talking to your healthcare provider can best help you assess your options.
Most commonly, STI testing services will test for bacterial and viral infections, such as HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis.
Some STI testing clinics may also include testing for Trichomonas. Testing for Herpes is most frequently done when symptoms are present or when a known exposure has occurred.
Testing for Hep B will depend on whether a health care provider determines a person to be at increased risk. Testing for Hep C is recommended for all adults over 18, and it is recommended that those who inject drugs or are HIV positive are tested regularly.
Is STI testing done during routine physicals or OB/GYN exams?
STI testing is not automatic, even during a genital exam, a pelvic exam, or a rectal exam. If you would like STI tests, speak with your healthcare provider to request them specifically.
What kinds of tests will be performed?
Depending on which STIs are being screened for, you could be asked to give a urine sample, have a small amount of blood taken, either through a finger stick or a blood draw, or have a pelvic exam. Swabs and cultures of the vagina, cervix (opening to the uterus), urethra, anus or mouth and throat may also be performed, as many STIs are site specific.
What factors should I consider when deciding whether to get tested for STIs?
STIs can be transmitted in two ways:
- Through mucous membranes in the vagina, penis, rectum, or mouth coming into contact with infectious body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid and blood.
- Through skin-to-skin contact with sores or lesions. Skin-to-skin contact can include genital-genital contact, oral-genital contact, or hand-genital contact
Modes of transmission vary for different STIs. STIs that are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact may be transmitted without penetrative intercourse, and condoms provide only partial protection -- although they are certainly much better than no protection.
You might want to be tested for STIs if you:
- Had sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral, or anal) without a condom
- Have been sexually assaulted
- Had a condom break
- Had multiple sexual partners
- Learned that a past or current partner has an STI
- Discovered that a partner has been exposed to an STI
What can I do if I suspect I have been exposed to an STI?
If you suspect that you have been exposed to an STI, there are some things you can do:
- Within 72 hours of potential exposure:
- Seek out a healthcare provider to ask about being prescribed doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis or Doxy PEP. Recent research shows that taking doxycycline within 3 days (or 72 hours) after sex can help some people reduce the chances of getting bacterial STIs like syphilis, chlamydia, and, in some studies, gonorrhea.
- Seek out a healthcare provider about HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. This is a short course (28 days) of HIV medicines that are taken after a possible exposure to prevent HIV infection. The sooner PEP is started after a possible HIV exposure, the better. Every hour counts. Although PEP effectively reduces the risk of HIV when taken correctly, it should only be used in emergencies and cannot replace regular prevention methods like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
- After 72 hours of potential exposure:
- Schedule an appointment for STI testing. Many STIs take between one week and six months to show up on tests (this is called a “window period”), and many remain asymptomatic for months or even years.
- Depending on your results and guidance from your healthcare provider, schedule a retest closer to the end of the window period. Many organizations recommend testing once every three to six months.
- Utilize barrier methods like condoms, dams, or gloves to prevent partners from being exposed to asymptomatic STIs.