By JORDAN EVANS
Staff Reporter
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Housing Department hosted Sexual Health 101 in the Coronado Hall lobby Feb. 24.
Lori Louthan, registered nurse, presented Sexual Health 101 to students in order to raise awareness of the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases.
With nearly half of all STD’s affecting those between the ages of 15 to 24, this problem is a great threat to college students. An STD is considered any disease that can be transmitted through sexual contact.
“Many times there are no signs or symptoms,” Louthan said, “and if there are the symptoms, they may only last a day to a week.”
The only absolute way to prevent an STD is to practice abstinence. However, if you are sexually active, barrier methods, such as condoms, are the most effective protection.
Louthan urged the audience to “protect yourself now so you can protect those you love down the road.”
Louthan also urged students to begin routinely checking yourself for breast and testicular cancer. “It is important to start checking early so you become familiar with how everything feels,” Louthan said, “that way you know when there is a change.”
If you believe you have an STD please contact your physician right away. For further information on STD’s and sexual health you can visit www.cdc.gov/std.