Richmond sex experts playfully and informatively confronted topics
such as “How big is big?” and “What happens when you get bored with
sex?” during a VCUVOX-hosted event Thursday night.
VCUVOX, a student-run organization affiliated with nationally run
Planned Parenthood, brought Shawn McNulty, department manager for
health outreach at the Fan Free Clinic, and VCU professor of human
sexuality Virginia Totaro to the stage to answer students’ questions about
everything sexy and sex-related.
McNulty and Totaro talked to an audience of about 60 people in the
University Student Commons. They said students should always be trusting
and open with their sex partners.
“Lots of communication is necessary,” Totaro said.
She urged students to be sure they know what they are doing and they
know enough about their partners.
Even though you might have your own sexual agenda, before acting
on that desire, make sure that your partner is on the same page, Totaro
said.
McNulty said not talking about issues when they come up can cause
conflict between you and your sex partner.
They don’t always know what you are thinking or feeling, McNulty said.
Until you begin talking honestly about your hang-ups, fears and desires,
your partner will continue as if nothing is wrong, he said.
The benefit of knowing a sex partner well is not just having a great time
together. There are benefits of knowing a person’s history, Totaro said.
“A few years ago, Richmond was No. 1 for chlamydia and No. 2 for
gonorrhea,” McNulty said.
Although those statistics have changed, gonorrhea and chlamydia are
still the two most common sexually transmitted infections on college
campuses, NcNulty said.
It is important to learn and understand your body, Totaro said, but it
is not a good idea to self-medicate.
“Unless you need to, don’t artificially stimulate your sex drive,” said
McNulty.
Taking, for example, prescriptions like Viagra when you don’t have a
prescription can cause a heart attack, he said.
“You might not realize it, but if you’re lucky, your body will one day
be 80,” McNulty said.
Therefore, it is important to pay attention and think about what you
are doing to your body, he said.
It is also important to realize everyone has hang-ups about their bodies,
he said. When you are with someone who voices insecurity, you should
work with that person and that aspect of who they are, he said.
“Treat them as if it was them that mattered . not their body,” McNulty
said.
Regardless of what is wrong, whether it is a sexually transmitted infection,
an uncomfortable sexual situation, a birth-control issue or anything
else, Totaro told students they shouldn’t sit and suffer in silence.
With all the resources available to students, such as the University
Student Health Services and the Fan Free Clinic, they should not hesitate
to see somebody if they have a question or concern, Totaro said.
University Student Health Services is located on the second floor of
1300 W. Broad St. The telephone number is (804) 828-8828. The Fan
Free Clinic is located on 1010 N. Thompson St. The telephone number
is (804) 358-6343.