🌻Weekly Wellness Newsletter - Spring Quarter - Week 5💚

Sexual Health and Well-Being: Debunking Myths and Stigma

Spring Quarter, Week 5

Support children and families in the Chicago community experiencing abuse by donating menstrual products. All products go directly to Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. Tampons and pads can be individually wrapped or in packs. We can also accept new menstrual cups and discs.

Visit our tables at the locations and dates listed to donate!

At Student Wellness, we believe in the importance of staying informed about reproductive and sexual health as well as building healthy relationships. We want everyone to feel safe, supported, and empowered with the resources they need to engage in safe practices. Check out Student Wellness resources below to support your well-being!

Safer Sex Supplies and Emergency Contraception
- Student Wellness partners with departments and divisions on campus to provide free safer sex supplies to UChicago students throughout campus. Not sure which contraception options are right for you or how to use them? Visit our YouTube channel for easy-to-follow tutorials and helpful information. Students can request refills at Safer Sex Stations or request personal supplies for pickup at Student Wellness here.
Contraception
- Free Contraception and PrEP (HIV prevention) prescription evaluations are also available at Student Wellness. Students may also obtain emergency contraception as well.
STI Testing
- Many STIs can be asymptomatic, making regular testing essential for anyone sexually active. Student Wellness offers confidential STI testing and treatment. Visit our website to learn how to schedule an appointment.
Healthy Relationship Building
- All relationships, platonic or romantic, have their ups and downs. Check out our resources on building strong, healthy relationships. Student Wellness also offers couples therapy, as long as at least one partner is a UChicago student.

Debunking Sex Education Myths 😬

Fourteen states in the U.S. still provide abstinence-only sex education. Combined with unrestricted internet access at a young age, this can lead to many individuals being misinformed about sexual health and common myths. As humans, we are always growing and learning, and sexual health is no exception!

This quiz highlights several important topics and misconceptions related to sexual health. To quote Coach Carr from Mean Girls: “Don’t have sex, because you will get pregnant and die!”...a perfect example of what is NOT real sex education.

Sex education should focus on consent, sexual health, and the curiosities and questions individuals may have.
Click below to test your safe sex knowledge and debunk some common myths!

Let's talk about Sex: Prioritizing Sexual Health

In this TEDx Talk, Jessica Ladd, the founder of Sexual Health Innovations, starts with a very simple idea: Sex can be awesome, STDs…not so much. We live in a society where sex and talking about it are very taboo. It is even harder, and arguably more awkward, to discuss STDs. However, Jessica reminds us that, while it is difficult, STDs and STIs are important conversations to have with your sexual partners to both protect yourself and others.

Many STIs are even asymptomatic, so it is very important to prioritize your health and get tested. It doesn't have to be a topic we all love, but it is nonetheless an important one. Click below to hear more about Jessica's take on how we can use technology to improve conversations around sexual health.