Sexual Health Care

Communication with your partner(s) is a critical part of healthy sexuality. Open communication with partners about sexual history, STI testing, condoms, and boundaries/preferences can help make sure you’re on the same page for preventing unintended pregnancy, STIs, and HIV. Of course, honest and open communication about sensitive topics like sex and STIs can be challenging.  

• Schedule a health coaching appointment to address concerns or questions about personal readiness, partner communication, pregnancy, STI prevention, and/or sexual performance and pleasure.  

Consent, at its most basic level, means everyone involved wants to participate. There are three pillars to consent: 

• Knowing exactly what and how much a person is agreeing to
• Expressing intent to participate. 
• Freely and voluntarily expressing that intent      

• Agreeing to one kind of sexual activity does not mean agreeing to another kind of sexual activity (for example, agreeing to oral sex does not mean agreeing to intercourse).   
• Agreeing to sexual activity once does not imply future consent (just because you hooked up once doesn’t mean you will hook up in the same way again). 
• Consent is a continuous process, so it’s a good idea to keep checking in with your partner(s) throughout the exchange (“Is this okay? How are you doing?”).    
• Consent can be withdrawn at any point in the sexual encounter. 
• The golden rule is to ask! Asking for consent is mandatory, and it leads to more respectful, consensual, and communicative sex!
• Consent cannot be given:     
  • Under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
  • If someone is passed out, unconscious, asleep, or coming in or out of consciousness
  • Under direct or implied threat of bodily harm or other forms of coercion 
  • If any party is under 18 years of age
  • If someone has a physical, developmental, or mental disability that impairs their ability to understand the act

Learn more about consent(link is external), services for survivors(link is external), and sexual assault and violence prevention(link is external) at UC Berkeley.   

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that can be acquired during sexual or intimate contact. STIs are also sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Being familiar with both terms is useful since many students and some healthcare providers may still use both. It is important to understand that a person can be infected with an STI without showing symptoms of a disease. 

STI symptoms vary by infection. Changes in odor, color, and texture of penile or vaginal discharge, as well as visible lesions, bumps, redness, itching, and tenderness, are common symptoms of some STIs. However, the most common symptom of an STI is to have no symptoms at all. 

STIs are generally discussed in one of three categories: viral, bacterial, and other. The main difference between these categories is what causes them and how they are subsequently treated. The exchange of bodily fluids and skin-to-skin contact can spread STIs. Semen, blood (including menstrual blood), and vaginal secretions are the most likely to transmit STIs; fluids such as saliva, sweat, and urine are unlikely to transmit STIs, though they can still transmit some bacteria and viruses.    

Learn more: Information on transmitting STIs by behavior(link is external)

Viral STIs      

A virus causes viral STIs. Some viral STIs are treatable - though not curable - by taking antiviral medication; you can think of them as the gifts that keep on giving. Other viral STIs may resolve on their own, or with clinical treatment. Many of the more common viral infections start with the letter “H.”   

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)(link is external)
• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
• Hepatitis A, B, and C - Learn the Differences
• Hepatitis A
• Molluscum Contagiosum

Bacterial STIs 

Bacterial STIs are caused by microorganisms called bacteria. Bacterial STIs can often be treated and cured with antibiotic medication. However, if you are re-exposed to bacterial STIs, you may be at risk for repeated infection. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the two most common bacterial STIs.   

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis

Other STIs 

Other STIs can be caused by living organisms. STIs under this category can be effectively treated and cured by using prescribed medication in the form of pills, ointments, or creams.      

• Trichomoniasis (link is external)
• Pubic Lice(link is external)

Reproductive health planning - deciding for yourself whether, when, and how you would like pregnancy to fit into your life, now or in the future - is an essential part of both sexual health and overall wellness.    

Although planned pregnancies lead to healthier outcomes, nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Approximately 85% of people who are sexually active with someone who can get them pregnant will become pregnant in 1 year without using any form of contraception. Whether you’re actively seeking pregnancy or actively trying to prevent it (for months, years, or ever), thinking about family planning now empowers people to make informed decisions about their reproductive lives.  

Learn more: Contraception and Family Planning Services at UHS 

Our goal is to ensure that LGBTQIA+ students receive the highest quality care in a safe, respectful space. We do this by using inclusive language as well as offering a variety of services to help LGBTQIA+ students maintain optimal physical, mental, and emotional health.  

Visit our LGBTQIA+ Services webpage for more information about how to schedule LGBTQ-specific medical appointments, our Trans Care Team, education, and coaching for coming out to friends and family.    

Let’s face it, the reason most college students participate in sex is because it is pleasurable! There are many ways to increase pleasure during solo sexual experiences and with partners.       

• For increasing sexual pleasure with others, it is best to communicate openly and honestly. Don't be afraid to ask your partner what they like or how what you're doing feels to them. Don't be afraid to give your partner feedback about what they're doing to you.  
• Have a basic understanding of anatomy—yours and your partner's. Take it slowly, especially if you're trying something new. Being relaxed and aroused increases your pleasure, and makes some activities, like vaginal penetration with a penis or toy, anal play, and fisting, much easier and more enjoyable. 
• Don't treat orgasm, sexual intercourse, or any other sexual act as a goal that must be achieved. Spend time exploring each other's bodies and finding out what feels good. 
• Use lube. Many sexual activities are enhanced by the use of lubrication—and some, like anal play or fisting, require it. Adding lube to condoms not only increases sexual pleasure but also increases durability.  
• Use your hands. They're like built-in sex toys! Have fun with it!
• If you are experiencing difficulty with arousal or other sexual functions, consider whether stress, poor sleep, anxiety, or other factors may be the culprit.    

• Visit our Sexual Health Education Program web page.
• Schedule a health coaching appointment to address concerns or questions about sexual performance and pleasure.
• Review our Porn Literacy handout.  

• Sexual Health Education Program (SHEP) - The Sexual Health Education Program's (SHEP) mission is to empower students to feel comfortable with their bodies and make informed decisions about their sex and sexuality, including whether or not to be sexually active.
• Public Health 182: Sexual Health and Sexuality(link is external) - The course encourages students to make informed sexual decisions and to be aware of the bio-medical, cultural, sociological, psychological, and public health education aspects of their sexuality.
• Healthy Sexuality Health Coaching - a 45-minute coaching session will help you make changes in your lifestyle or sexual behaviors to improve your sexual health and sexuality. Partners are welcome!