You can avoid STIs and unwanted pregnancies by abstaining from sex entirely. Apparently, 25 percent of college students choose this option, according to national research. For many people, masturbation is a reasonable alternative to sex with a partner.

If you’re in the remaining 75 percent, you’ll be safer, in terms of STI transmission, if you have only one partner. As a responsible adult, you have the option to choose your sexual experiences. Whether you’re monogamous or not, you should always protect yourself by using a condom or being sure your partner uses one.

In addition to offering contraceptive protection, a condom can help prevent the spread of STIs, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomavirus (HPV). A condom offers effective protection against the spread of disease during anal, vaginal, and oral intercourse. The most up-to-date research indicates that condoms are 90 to 99 percent effective at both preventing the transmission of STIs and preventing pregnancy when used correctly and consistently for every act of anal, vaginal, and oral intercourse. Note that only latex rubber condoms and polyurethane condoms—not lambskin or other types of natural membrane condoms—provide this protection. The polyurethane condom is a great alternative for individuals who have allergies to latex. Use a water-based lubricant such as K-Y Jelly rather than an oil-based lubricant, which can cause a latex condom to break.

The problem of STIs on college campuses has received growing attention in recent years as epidemic numbers of students have become infected. In general, STIs continue to increase faster than other illnesses on campuses today, and approximately 5 to 10 percent of visits by U.S. college students to college health services are for the diagnosis and treatment of STIs. STIs are usually spread through genital contact. Sometimes, however, these infections can be transmitted mouth-to-mouth. Leaving the light on before intercourse can give you an opportunity to notice symptoms of an STI on your partner, and it can also help with proper condom use.

There are more than twenty known types of STIs; seven are most common on college campuses. One particularly common STI is HPV, a sexually transmitted infection that is closely linked to cervical cancer. In fact, the CDC estimates that 20 million people in the United States are currently infected with HPV. Gardasil, a vaccine that became available in 2006, provides protection for both men and women against the strains of HPV that cause genital warts, anal cancer, and cervical cancer. For more information about this vaccine or to receive the three-injection series, contact your college or university health services or your local health care provider.