Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: Valentines Day Guide 2008

Media Credit: Jim Moldenhauer A student reaches for some free condoms at Student Health Services. About 66 percent of ISU students having vaginal sex use condoms.

With Valentine's Day rapidly approaching, couples worldwide are scrambling in order to make the day as romantic and memorable as possible.

Between the methodical plans for candlelight dinners, bouquets of flowers and boxes of chocolates, there are two unwanted gifts distributed regularly that a significant other wants no part of.

These white elephants are unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, surprises that are easily preventable.

"Most people are aware that there are a lot of sexually transmitted infections out today, so it's a good idea if you're having sex to use [a condom]," James Almeda, health educator and sexual health and peer education coordinator at Student Health Services, said.

He added that one of the keys to avoiding these diseases is finding out about the partner's past.

"Just because you've been with someone for a long time, you don't necessarily know who they have been with before or if they've been exposed to something," he said. "The problem is you can never tell when someone is infected. They may have never had an outbreak, but can still transmit it."

So what is the best way for students to avoid contracting infections on such a historically passionate holiday?

"You need to use a barrier method like a condom to protect yourself," Almeda said. "Condoms or not engaging in intercourse are most used against STI's."

To stay clear of pregnancies, Almeda said the pill is the most popular form of contraception, but also offered advice for sexually active students.

"I recommend to students that are worried about STI's and pregnancy to use both a condom as well as another birth control method," he said.

However, some students are leery of condoms due to rumors of their ineffectiveness. But according to Kathie Spegel, director of education of East Central Illinois' Planned Parenthood, many condom failures are due to incorrect use.

"Most failure is through user mistakes, not condom failure itself," she said. "Using petroleum based lubrication, instead of water based, will break down the latex. Bubble backing, the use of two condoms at once, causes friction between the two pieces of latex and causes the break."

Continued...

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