Sexual Health
Welcome to the Students' Union sexual health page. Here you can find information on protection, clinics, std's, tips and advice. If you are having any issues and need to speak with someone, then contact the Welfare Officer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call one of the many support lines in the Welfare Contacts section.
Sexual Health Click a title below to expand or collapse
- Relationships
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Communication
The most important part of any relationship (be it platonic, sexual, professional) is honest, open communication.
If you can have sex with someone, you should at least try and talk to them – it’s how you can guarantee that you both have the best time for the time you know each other (whether that’s 2 years or 2 hours).
Abuse in Relationships
Both Men and Women can find themselves trapped in abusive relationships. If you are worried about your partner’s behaviour, please read on.
If your partner displays two or more of the following traits, you might want to consider the possibility that your relationship is not healthy or safe for you. Even if he/she displays just one (e.g. “my partner has pushed, slapped, punched or otherwise hurt me”) it can indicate an unsafe situation for you that needs to be addressed:
Checklist
[] My partner is very jealous, gets jealous easily
[] My partner follows me around, checks up on me a lot
[] My partner tries to control how I dress or who I spend time with (friends, family, coworkers)
[] My partner yells, calls me names, puts me down
[] I hide things that I think would upset or anger my partner (phone numbers, letters, photos)
[] I am afraid to say no to sex
[] My partner threatens me, or has threatened me
[]My partner hits, throws or breaks things when angry
[] I am fraid to disagree with my partner
[] My partner has pushed, slapped, punched or otherwise hurt me
[]I feel like my partner's anger is my faultIf you are trapped in an abusive relationship, please contact OSS Cork 1800 497 497 or read more on www.osscork.ie and www.amen.ie – service for men in abusive relationships.
Breakups
Breakups are a shit sandwich, but ultimately finite – the pain does ease. If you’re having trouble dealing with the end of a relationship in your life and need someone to talk to, check out the contacts page for a list of UCC and Cork-based listening services.
- Protection
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For information on the contraceptive devices pictures below, visit http://www.thinkcontraception.ie/
Condoms – male and female (extra large):
Dental Dams
A sheet of latex used as a barrier during cunnilingus (oral sex on a woman):
Intra-uterine Devices
The Implant
The Patch
Vaginal Ring
Diaphragm
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
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Sex is great- but unprotected sex can have nasty consequences.
Over 60% of sexually transmitted infections are diagnosed in the 20-29 year old age group – that means a lot of students fall within the high risk category.
To protect against STIs a condom must be used each and every time you have sexual intercourse.
To be fully protected, dental dams and condoms must be used during oral sex.
STIs break down into 3 rough categories:
Parasites
Creepy crawlies like pubic lice (crabs) that live on you – these are passed on through skin to skin contact and sometimes through contact with infected bedclothes etc.
Bacterial
These are caused by bacteria and include Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and Syphilis. Problematic but curable – these can generally be looked after and dealt with.
Viral
Hepatitis, HIV, Herpes – these all fall under the viral category. In general these can only be treated, not cured. And in HIV’s case, it can develop into AIDS - an illness that will kill you. HPV (Genital warts) can lead to illnesses like cervical cancer.
A lot of STIs have NO symptoms until it’s too late e.g. Chlamydia can cause infertility in women but can have no symptoms until its late stages. To be sure you’re 100% STI free – please get tested for STIs.
Remember to get your status checked – our Student Health Centre now provides an STI screening service. Contact them from October on 021 490 2311 to find out details on the service.
For More Infromation
Check out the contacts page for details on other STI testing facilities in Cork.
For more details on STIs, their symptoms and their treatment, check out:http://thinkcontraception.ie/stis_types.asp
- Emergency Contraception
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What is Emergency Contraception?
Emergency contraception is a secondary form of contraception – it is used when other forms (e.g. a condom) have have failed or not been used at all.
It is effective up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. If you need Emergency contraception (i.e. the morning after pill) then it can be prescribed and dispensed to you by the Student Health Centre for €15. When you go there, tell the receptionist that you need to get the morning after pill and you will be seen immediately.
Visit http://thinkcontraception.ie/emergency.asp for more information and FAQs about Emergency Contraception.
Q&A About Emergency Contraception
Link: More information on Emergency Contraception
If you need the Morning after pill at the weekends, please contact South Doc as the student health centre will be closed Telephone: 1850 335 999. E-Mail: info@southdoc.ie.
If your partner is not a student, emergency contraception can be obtained by contacting:
http://www.corkfamilyplanning.com/contact.htm
or if you're under 21, contact the Youth Health Service on Shandon St:
Tel.: 021-422 0490. Email: YHS@mailp.hse.ie - Pregnancy
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An unplanned pregnancy can result in a whirlwind of emotions for any woman – young or old. As upsetting as this time can be, it’s important to remember that there are a lot of support services to help you through it and to discuss all your options with you and help you decide what path you wish to take.
If you suspect you are pregnant, if you know you are, or if you’re just worried about it, don’t hesitate to contact me either by phone, e mail or by calling in.
- You can freetext LIST to 50444 for a list of services in the area of unplanned and crisis pregnancy.
- www.positiveoptions.ie offers details of support services and information about crisis pregnancy.
See Welfare Contacts for Cork-based services that will provide counselling and advice during this time.
- Sexual Violence
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- An estimated 1 in 3 women worldwide are victims of a sexual assault.
- In America, 13% of males will be sexually assaulted during their lifetimes.
It is not your fault if you have been sexually assaulted.
If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, the resources below may be helpful for you:
- Cork Sexual Violence Centre - http://www.sexualviolence.ie/?page_id=21
- Welfare Officer – Pádraig Rice – welfare@uccsu.ie or call him on 021 490 2181.
- An Garda Siochana- Anglesea Street – 021 452 2000
- Student Counselling and Development – 021 490 3565
If you have been attacked, there are people who will listen, will not judge and can help you recover – please reach out and talk.
