Sexual Health

We support students as they explore and develop personal agency over their sexual health by:

• encouraging open conversations around pleasure, boundaries, and consent, 
• providing safer sex supplies (external condoms, dental dams, lubricant, emergency contraception, etc.), 
• hosting free STI testing clinics, 
• referring students to DU-based resources and community-based resources, 
• and offering sexual health education in the form of: 
• digital resources, 
• customizable workshops, 
• community events, 
• resource tabling, 
• etc. 

Are you a current DU student interested in ordering free safer sex supplies? Use this form to find out what's available and to make your request! Someone from the Thrive Health Promotion Team will follow up with you soon to coordinate your pick-up! Explore the menu below to learn more about some sexual health basics. 

• Consent

  For important information about consent, please visit: https://studentaffairs.du.edu/health-counseling-center/survivor-advocacy/consent 

• Annual Exams

  Annual exams are recommended for people with a uterus after the age of 21. What these exams entail can depend on your age, sexual history, and medical history. You might talk about your period, your plans for pregnancy, or get shots like the HPV vaccine. Annual exams also include pelvic exams, Pap tests, and breast exams — all tests to make sure you're healthy.

  If you want to get your annual exam at the HCC, you can schedule an appointment via MyHealth or call 303-871-2205.

• Birth Control

  Birth control (contraceptive) methods give you the power to plan when and if you get pregnant. There are a variety of methods that work in a variety of ways so you can find the one that fits best into your life. You can also get most methods, including birth control pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs), here on campus at the HCC!

  To learn more about each method and to learn which one may be the best for you, check out the Method Explorer at Bedsider.org.

  If you want to talk to a provider at the HCC about getting the birth control method that is right for you, you can schedule an appointment via MyHealth or call 303-871-2205.

• Emergency Contraception

  Emergency contraception reduces the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sex. It must be taken within 120 hours (five days) of unprotected intercourse to avoid pregnancy, but the sooner it is taken, the more effective it will be. Emergency contraception will not harm an existing pregnancy.

  If you want to get emergency contraception, you can make an appointment with a provider at the HCC via MyHealth or call 303-871-2205.

  You can also request emergency contraception from the Thrive Health Promotion team by filling out the Safer Sex Supply Request Form. 

   

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

  Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can affect anyone who is sexually active. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people between the ages of 15 and 24 acquire half of all new STIs. 

  STIs are commonly transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and/or skin-to-skin contact. Some infections are bacterial and can be cured with antibiotics, while others are viral and can only be treated with medication to reduce symptoms.

  To learn more about the different kinds of STIs, visit the Cleveland Clinic’s website. 

  The HCC provides STI testing and treatment. If you're interested in seeing a provider, you can schedule an appointment via MyHealth or contact 303-871-2205.

• Get Tested for STIs

  Did you know that you can't always tell if you have a STI just by the way you look or feel? A lot of people with STIs don't have any symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you have a sexually transmitted infection is to get yourself tested. Knowing whether or not you and your partner(s) have a sexually transmitted infection allows you to make fully informed decisions about your sex life and allows you to protect your health and the health of your partner(s).

  Depending on what you are getting tested for, testing usually involves drawing some blood, collecting a urine sample, and possibly having a genital, anal, or throat swab.

  To get tested at the HCC, you can schedule an appointment via MyHealth or call 303-871-2205.

  For off-campus STI testing services, check out:

  • Hey Denver!

    • Phone number: (303) 962-2880 

  •  Bee the Vibe 

    • Phone number: (720) 382-5900 ext. 700 

  • Vivent Health 

    • Phone number: (303) 393-8050 

• Barrier Methods

  Barriers such as condoms and dental dams are common ways that people reduce their risk of sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy. They both cover the skin to decrease skin-to-skin contact and prevent the exchange of body fluids, making it harder to transmit a sexually transmitted infection or get pregnant.

  External Condoms

  External condoms slip over the penis to prevent pregnancy and lower the risk of STIs and pregnancy by keeping semen inside of the condom. Condoms come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find the brand and type that work for you. External condoms are commonly made of latex; however, latex-free condoms are available for folks with an allergy. Using water- or silicone-based lubricant with external condoms can make sex more pleasurable and fun!

  Internal Condoms

  The internal condom is a pouch that is inserted into the vagina or anus to lower the risk of STIs and pregnancy by preventing the exchange of bodily fluids. Internal condoms such as the FC2 Female Condom are usually available by prescription with no out-of-pocket expense, or can be purchased on the FC2 website.Internal condoms are latex-free and using water- or silicone-based lubricants can make sex more pleasurable and fun!

  Dental Dams

  Used as a barrier during oral-anal and/or oral-vaginal sex, dental dams are commonly made of latex and come in different flavors and colors. Dental dams prevent STIs by limiting the amount of skin-to-skin contact and preventing the exchange of bodily fluids.

  Lubricants

  Along with making sex more pleasurable and fun, lube decreases friction and the likelihood of a condom breaking. Lube comes in a variety of forms:

  • Water-based lube is easy to use, easy to clean off your body and sheets, and is safe to use with condoms and sex toys.
  • Silicone-based lube is longer-lasting and can be used in water. Silicone-based lube is also safe to use with condoms; however, silicone-based lube is not safe to use with silicone sex toys.
  • Oil-based lubes are not safe to use with condoms because they make the latex more likely to break.
• PrEP and PEP

  Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an injection or pill or that, when taken daily, reduces the risk of contracting HIV. To learn more about PrEP, visit Planned Parenthood's website. 

  Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an emergency medication that can be taken if you believe you may have been exposed to HIV. PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV. To learn more about PEP, please visit Planned Parenthood’s website.

  Both PrEP and PEP are available at the HCC. You can schedule an appointment to talk with a provider via MyHealth or call 303-871-2205. If you need PEP and the HCC is not open, contact the Denver Sexual Health Clinic at 303-602-3540 or an emergency room as soon as possible.

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

  Nearly everyone who is sexually active will get HPV at some point in their lives. HPV most commonly goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. If HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and certain cancers.

  Fortunately, there is a vaccine that protects against cancers caused by HPV infection. The HPV vaccine is recommended for people through the age of 26. 

  The HCC offers HPV vaccines and testing for STIs. You can schedule an appointment via MyHealth or call 303-871-2205. 

  For off-campus facilities that provide the HPV vaccine free of charge if you are under 26, check out: 

  • Denver Public Health – 303-602-3540 

  • Children's Hospital – 720-777-2248