Sexual Health
All SHWC services are provided in-person with some services via telephone. Contact the SHWC at 435-797-1660 or schedule an appointment online.
Utah State is committed to students’ well-being, and an often-overlooked component of wellness is sexual health. Shame and stigma can prevent us from speaking with our physician about our sexual health. Whether you are sexually active or not, taking care of your sexual health is part of leading a fulfilling life. We want to make sure you have the knowledge and tools to do so.
Health Services
Sexual health care appointments are available, whether you’re seeking medical advice, care for a specific issue, or have general questions you’d like to discuss related to sexuality and health.
Including:
- Instructions for self-examination
- Gynecological and sexual health exams
- Information on anatomy and physiology
- Erectile questions
- Cancer screenings and pap smears
- Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- Including HIV, HPV (pap test), HSV, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis
- Counseling
- Including weight and body image/odor, contraceptive, pre-sexual activity, preconception, natural family planning, and pregnancy counseling
- Contraceptive information (non-hormonal and hormonal)
- Prescriptions for all forms of birth control options including emergency contraception
- Discuss options best for each person
- Acute care for gynecological and/or genital problems
- Menstruation, pregnancy/fertility, and menopause treatment and counseling
Healthy Sexuality
In order for sexual experiences to be fulfilling and pleasurable, it’s important to practice elements of healthy sexuality:
Gynecological and Sexual Health Exam Appointment Preparation
It’s best to prepare and know what to expect at your gynecological or physical exam appointment. Follow these tips to maximize your visit when seeing a health care provider:
- Give as much detail as possible. For example, if they ask about pain, tell the truth about the severity, when it first happened, when it occurs now, how long it lasts, etc.
- Answer all the clinician’s questions truthfully. If you have pain, say so. Your clinician needs accurate information to better assess your condition.
- Understand that you may have to repeat your concern several times (nurse, clinician, etc.). Be patient and provide a complete response to all individuals who ask about your condition.
- Ask all of your questions. Clinicians are often under pressure to see many patients, but you are entitled to good service and have your questions answered.
- The best time to check yourself is in the shower or after a warm bath. Fingers glide over soapy skin making it easier to concentrate on the texture underneath. The heat causes the muscles to relax, making the exam easier.
- Examine each testicle gently with both hands. The index and middle fingers should be placed underneath the testicle while the thumbs are placed on the top. Roll the testicle gently between the thumb and fingers. One testicle may be larger than the other. This is normal.
- The epididymis is a cord-like structure on the top and back of the testicle that stores and transports the sperm. Do not confuse the epididymis with an abnormal lump. Now repeat the exam on the other side.
- Feel for any abnormal lumps about the size of a pea on the front or the side of the testicle. These lumps are usually painless.
- In early stages testicular cancer may be symptomless. When symptoms do occur, they include: lump on the testicle, slight enlargement of one of the testes, and heavy sensation in testicles or groin.
- Schedule exam for when you are not menstruating.
- For the 24-hour time period before your exam, avoid intercourse and don’t use tampons. Your Nuvaring may remain in place.
- Bring any medications you are currently taking and any relevant medical records, for example, documentation of previous abnormal Pap test results.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes early to prepare for the exam and provide a urine sample.
- We will ask you to provide a urine sample.
- We will provide you with an examination gown to wear throughout and ask you to undress.
- You will be asked to lie down on an examination table, place your feet in foot rests, and then we will ask you to relax and let your legs fall apart so we may examine your external genitalia, vagina, uterus, and ovaries.
- Wearing exam gloves and using a warmed instrument called a speculum, we will examine your vagina and cervix for cancer and infection, and take skin/mucus samples from the cervix and vagina.