Revealed - How sex makes you more intelligent

 

Sex not only helps decrease stress levels and burn away calories, but boosts your intelligence too!

 

Love-making proved to greatly increase the creation of new neurons located within the hippocampus – an area of the brain that is responsible for the formation of long-term memory, say researchers.

 

‘We discovered that even though there had been the production of new neurons, the cognitive abilities acquired during the experiment decreased once the mice were subjected to long periods without sexual activity,’ psychologists from the University of Maryland in the US were quoted as saying. Read more about reasons why your sex life may have fizzled out.

 

Increased sexual activity floods an individual’s brain cells with oxygen, they noted. Another study by Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea, provided further substantial evidence. According to the Korean study, sex increases intellectual functions. Sexual activity buffers the creation of neurons in the hippocampal region of the brain, which acts against detrimental functions caused by extreme stress. Older couples that are more sexually active have less odds of getting dementia which is due to a variation of complicated reasons, said a report in Glamour magazine.

 

Other health benefits of sex

Besides making you intelligent, sex has some other health benefits too that you probably didn’t know about.

 

1. Makes you look younger

Yes! Believe it or not, sex can make you look younger. According to a study conducted by Dr David Weeks of Royal Edinburgh Hospital, people who had sex more than 4 times a week, felt as much as 10 years younger. Besides having sex, you can do the following things to look younger.

 

2. Boosts your immunity

While eating fruits and vegetables are known to boost your immunity, having sex can have a similar effect. A research conducted at Wilkes University, Pennsylvania, revealed that people who had more sex had 30% higher levels of the antigen immunoglobin A, as compared to people who didn’t. The higher levels of antigen improves our body’s defence against cold and flu. Read more about the health benefits of sex.

 

Categories: activity, Health Benefits, higher levels, nbsp, sexual, sexual activity, university, younger

The better the university, the better the sex?

Better grades, better university, better facilities, better variety of people … but better sex?

 

In a video released by The Huffington Post on Feb. 18, two student journalists and sex columnists, one from Cornell University and the other from Brown University, debated why they believe students at high-caliber universities have better sex than those who don’t attend such universities.

 

Of course, there is no actual scientific evidence or study to prove or disprove this statement, but Purdue’s sexual health education coordinator, Chico Jensen, found it to be a discussion-worthy topic. He has taught and given keynote speeches at many universities, including Indiana University, Purdue and Ball State, and experience tells Jensen that what we don’t know might be made up for by what we do.

 

“I’m not saying (better universities mean better sex); I can’t know that,” says Jensen. “But would it surprise me if we did a survey study and it was? Absolutely not.”

 

Part of this opinion is based on a sociological theory he has read about, called the “Matthew effect.” Based on the biblical verse Matthew 25:29, it is the sociological truism that says “the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer,” or that similarities attract.

 

“I think there is a possibility that being at an institution that is more educated across the board might affect how well-educated the students are,” says Jensen. “And, honestly, there might be a lot of people who disagree with this, but because of what I do for a living, I would say knowledge about sex is absolutely going to improve your sex life and your relationships.”

 

Furthermore, Jensen said better universities could also have better sexual education and sexual health resources which could in turn have a positive effect on students’ sex lives.

 

Maxwell Foreman, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University, isn’t completely convinced of the preceding point, though. IU is the home of the nationally renowned Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction; however, he says many of his peers “haven’t even heard of the Kinsey” but have good sex lives anyway, signaling to him that facilities have nothing to do with sex quality on a college campus.

 

“Well, I’m only one person, but it isn’t like students are (short on dating opportunities) here. Regardless of if you are part of the Greek scene, the bar scene, or even in the dorms, if you are looking to get laid and willing to put in some effort, class should be more difficult,” said Foreman, interjecting some humor.

 

According to Jensen, though, the quality of the university is only part of what determines a college student’s sexual satisfaction. Other factors, such as the size of the university, a variety of demographics and whether or not a university is residential or non-residential all matter when it comes to students finding and having the kind of sex that makes them happiest.

 

Alex Overway, a senior in the College of Engineering at Purdue, said he definitely could see how these factors could shape students’ experiences.

 

“I feel like the average sex life at Purdue is probably representative of most large colleges just because there’s such a diverse group of people that are all bound to have varying degrees of sexual interest and experiences,” said Overway. “Smaller schools might have more people with similar backgrounds, which could limit both variety of opinions and opportunities for exploration.”

 

And exploration is what Jensen says makes college sex what it is; it’s good, it’s exciting and it’s fun because, for many students, it’s their first time to experiment and explore without any parental influence.

 

“It’s why I love (teaching) this particular demographic,” he said. “The overwhelming majority – and I’m talking about (those inside) the bell curve – of college-aged students that are specifically at a residential university in the United States … are Americans who are on their own for the first time (and figuring out who they want to be).”

 

Good sex, Foreman agreed, is a highly variable thing based on this experience.

 

“I’ve visited friends at small schools like IUPUI and (Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne) where the atmosphere wasn’t the same, but that doesn’t mean people weren’t (having sex),” says Foreman. “I have friends at Wabash College (an all-male school) that have zero complaints in that department, so it just seems to be a university-by-university thing, with the size or guy-to-girl ratio not seeming to be that big of a factor.

 

“I’d really bank on everyone just being horny college kids, and no one should have any sort of problem with it,” laughed Foreman.

Categories: college, indiana university, nbsp, sex life, sex lives, sexual health, students, university, university purdue

How to Give Your Partner the Best Sex of Her Life

Your mates may have a few tips to help you bolster your sexual wellbeing, but do you really trust what they have to say? When it comes to sexual health and performance, it’s better to ask the experts. We’ve rounded up the best of the best, so you can be the best of the best in the bedroom – you’re welcome.

 

1. Tell Her She Looks (and Tastes) Great: According to Debra Lynne Herbenick, PhD, of Indiana University, ‘It’s been proven that women who feel confident about the appearance of their genitals are more open to different kinds of sexual activity, and are more likely to orgasm because they feel relaxed… When a man goes down on his partner, he should be enthusiastic, tell her how beautiful she is and how great she tastes. Don’t treat it like a chore.’

 

2. Use Your Ears: ‘The only difference between a gigolo and a regular guy is that a gigolo listens to what a woman wants in bed,’ asserts Dr. Helen Fisher, Department of Anthropology, RutgersUniversity. ‘So, ask. I would also advise that you to ask her while not in the bedroom — raise the discussion while out walking or doing some other casual yet intimate thing together.’

 

3. Touch Her Everywhere: Carol Cassell, PhD, former president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, points out, ‘Sensual touching releases a powerful sex hormone called oxytocin, which increases a woman’s testosterone levels and ignites her sex drive. The seductive silky feel of oil being rubbed on skin is a turn-on for more passionate sex — for both of you.’

 

4. Eat Right: ‘Arginine is the basis for Viagra, so men should stick with foods high in it — such as oysters, fish, and other lean proteins,’ advises Lynn Edlen-Nezin, PhD, co-author of Great Food, Great Sex. ‘Everything that’s good for you above the waist is good for you below the waist as well: greens and beans; high protein/low-fat foods; and brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, high in antioxidants.’

 

5. Undress Slowly: Take Your Time Undressing: Behaviour Therapist and Consultant Andrea Kuszewski notes, ‘There is a degree of manipulation when it comes to the amount of neurotransmitter released… Looking at a nude picture will trigger a quick and strong release of dopamine and possibly oxytocin, but it fades quickly… Let her work for it a little; she’ll enjoy the prolonged neurological orgasm more.’

 

6. Take a Shower: ‘There’s no proven human pheromone to make you irresistible,’ warns Dr. Tristram Wyatt, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford. ‘So, until one is found, wash well — you can have too much of a good thing. (But why not leave a worn T-shirt at her house? It will keep you always in her mind.)’

 

7. Turn the Lights Down: Ian Kerner, PhD, FAACS, author of She Comes First: the Thinking Man’s Guide to Pleasuring a Woman, details, ‘For women to get aroused, parts of their brains associated with stress and anxiety need to de-activate, according to neurological studies in the Netherlands. If women aren’t relaxed, they’re not going to enjoy sex. So dim the lights and share a fantasy. A Harvard study found that when you hug a woman longer than thirty seconds, it increases her oxytocin levels and anticipation of sex.’

 

8. Reverse Cowgirl Position: ‘Find out what position of intercourse is most stimulating to her — it’s usually woman on top, facing away, also known as the reverse cowgirl,’ comments Beverly Whipple, PhD, Professor Emerita at Rutgers University and co-author of The Science of Orgasm. ‘The angle of the penis through the anterior/front wall of the vagina stimulates the area of the G-spot.’

Categories: better sex, Communication, feel, nbsp, nutrition, reverse cowgirl, university, woman, Women

Essays, Housemates and Late Nights: Dealing with Uni Stress

September is the time of year for a lot of young adults to raid IKEA, pack up their parents’ cleaning supplies and head off to uni. However, while you may think your wellbeing will only benefit from striking out on your own for what is, essentially, three years of drinking interspersed with the occasional lecture, there’s a lot more stress involved in uni life than you might be prepared for. The classes are harder, the essays are longer, the housemates have sex louder and no one does the washing up; in short, your emotional health takes a beating from uni life, so here’s how to stay calm, cool and collected.

 

1. Breathe better: Taking slow deep breaths does wonders for your emotional and physical wellness, helping to lower your blood pressure, focus your thoughts and clear your mind. Plus, you can do it whenever and wherever the stress hits.

 

2. Take a step back: When you feel overwhelmed, stop and re-examine the situation. Talk to a friend or family member to see if you can get a little perspective, and stop things appearing a bigger deal than they actually are.

 

3. Find your happy place: On your laptop and phone, keep photos of great memories that you can look at when things are going haywire. This releases your brain’s mood-boosting hormone dopamine, which helps you to relax.

 

4. Write all about it: If your friends or family members are too busy to talk it out, writing down your emotions and the situation can help you to put things in perspective, clarify your thoughts and feelings and help you solve your problem more effectively.

 

5. Stop, meditate and listen: Meditation is great to use in conjunction with breathing exercises, whether you centre on a positive mantra or simply focus on clearing your mind as you breathe.

 

6. Get active: Regular exercise isn’t just helpful for combating those late-night kebabs, it also relieves mental issues such as stress. Go for a walk around campus or a nearby park for an instant mood lifting, stress-busting effect.

 

7. Thank you for the music: According to various studies, music helps hospital patients heal more quickly and motivates them to perform better in physical therapy. Find some solid tunes that lift your mood or relax your mind, and put them in a playlist for those much-needed musical moments.

 

8. Don’t get stuck in the middle: Whether your housemates are arguing over who’s turn it is to take out the bins, or your course friends fall out over a reluctance to share notes, other people’s drama is just that; other people’s. There’s no way to be involved in drama without being personally affected, so when the bickering and bitching starts to bubble, take a step back – literally. Make your excuses, like needing the loo or fake answering your phone, and leave the room until you have the right perspective on the situation.

 

9. Sleep: This may seem like a foreign concept for a uni student, at least during regular night time hours, but sleep is vital to keep your mind and body in balance. Too little sleep has been linked to everything from heart trouble to depression so, if you can, try to get seven to nine hours on a regular basis.

 

10. You are what you eat: You may be feeling lethargic, fat and stressed because you’re eating too much fast food and sugary stuff. Fresh fruit and veggies are essential for your body and mind, so try to eat five of these bad boys every day.

Categories: Drama, meditation, mind, nbsp, perspective, situation, Stress, uni life, university

Rule Breakers: Dieting Findings That Will Blow Your Mind

By now, you’ve got this weight loss wellness thing down. Even if you don’t put the diet rules into practise, you know you should probably cut carbs, deny your naughty cravings and graze on healthy snacks all day, right? Wrong! Forget every weight loss trick you know, and prepare to have your mind blown by the new rules for dieting.

 

1. Don’t cut carbs: Reducing your carb intake is a staple diet technique, made popular by the Atkins craze. However, this is one classic weight loss rule you need to break, as this way of dieting simply isn’t sustainable, and you’re going to fall off the wagon and onto a massive pile of bread. In fact, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that eating carbs in moderation helped dieters to lose about five pounds more than carb-avoiders. For your new rule, lead author of the study Dr. Marion Vetter, medical director at the Centre for Weight and Eating Disorders at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine, recommends eating five servings of grains daily, especially whole ones like oatmeal and brown rice. ‘Carbs provide great energy and fibre,’ she explains. ‘Avoiding them isn’t realistic.’

 

2. Don’t avoid egg yolks: Egg yolks get a bad rap in the world of health and wellbeing, but this disdain is misguided. At the University of Surrey, researchers found no difference in terms of weight loss and cholesterol reduction between dieters who ate two eggs daily for 12 weeks and those who didn’t. Bruce Griffin, lead author of the study and professor of nutritional metabolism, asserts, ‘The cholesterol in eggs is small compared with grams of saturated fat in processed meats.’ Do you know what else is in egg yolks? Plenty of protein, calcium, and iron. This means you can enjoy them as part of a balanced diet, and avoid the real cholesterol culprits like processed foods.

 

3. Don’t graze throughout the day: In the 90s, studies showed that snacking helps to curb your appetite. However, according to a new Canadian study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, there was no weight loss difference between women who did and didn’t snack. Study author Eric Doucet, associate professor in the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa, says you should eat as many meals as you want – as long as you tally your calories. It’s ‘energy in versus energy out,’ Doucet notes, so speak to your GP about the amount of calories you need to consume to lose weight. Generally, this should be about 1,200 a day for women.

 

4. Eat midnight snacks: Eating late at night is often cited as a big dieting “no-no” but a recent study in the International Journal of Obesity has concluded that it’s what you eat, rather than when, that affects your waistline. Your metabolism will happily chug along regardless of what time you eat. Basically, eating a healthy dinner at 10pm means you won’t inhale Doritos in front of Strictly Come Dancing. As long as you don’t exceed your calorie count, eat as late as you like. Susan Roberts, study author and professor of nutrition and of psychiatry at Tufts University, argues that eating at a certain time isn’t important, and there’s no rule about how long to wait between meals, but as getting too hungry leads to overeating you need to ‘pace calories in a way that works for you.’

 

5. Cave in to cravings: Researchers at St. George’s University of London assert that abstaining from treats causes you to overindulge in the long-run, while University of Toronto researchers found that depriving people of specific foods led to binges. Author of the second study Janet Polivy, psychology professor at the University of Toronto, advises, ‘Eat small portions of the things you like. Decide how much you’ll eat — say, two chocolate squares.’ Put the rest back in the cupboard, and dig in.

Categories: carbs, cravings, eating, egg yolks, late night eating, lead author, study, study author, study published, university, weight, Weight Loss

Are We Equipped to Help Adults with Autism?

While autism is a health concern you usually associate with children and young people, the disorder is likely to continue to affect sufferers’ wellbeing right through into adulthood. This is according to a wealth of wellness experts and researchers in the field, who note that the US healthcare system isn’t equipped to deal with the rising numbers of adults with autism. They add, however, that some individuals with autism may be able to surpass their non-autistic counterparts at university and beyond.

 

According to the US Centres of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, it is estimated that one in every 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder. Autism researcher Paul Shattuck, from Washington University in St. Louis, notes that this means 45,000 to 50,000 kids with autism turn 18 each year. Dr. Joseph Cubells, director of medical and adult services at the Emory Autism Centre at Emory University in Atlanta, explains, ‘This is an impending health care or community care crisis. The services that are available vary from state to state, but often the resources just aren’t there.’

 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness states that, if you have an autism spectrum disorder, you are entitled to services from your public school until you reach the age of 22, at which point it is up to you and your family members to find educational or employment opportunities and appropriate living arrangements. However, wellness experts point out that the programmes for adults with autism are already thin on the ground, and this is likely to get worse as the increasing number of children who are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders grow into adults.

 

The problem with treating or helping people with an autism spectrum disorder is that the needs change from person to person. Cubells clarifies, ‘We say autism as if it’s a single thing, much like we say cancer, but, within the general category of things we call cancer are brain tumours, lung tumours, pancreatic tumours, and each requires different treatments. Autism is very individual. It varies from one extreme where someone needs custodial care for their entire life to the other extreme where someone is a highly functional, successful person who may be regarded as being a little quirky. There are some common themes, but there’s really nothing that applies to every single person.’

 

With regards to higher education, if you’re on the higher-functioning end of the spectrum you may still be able to go to university, albeit still facing certain challenges. ‘There’s often a substantial mismatch between verbal skills and performance skills,’ Cubells says. ‘You can be highly intelligent and able to do complex math and abstract reasoning, but you don’t know how to ask someone out for coffee. Having to make friends, schedule meals, and get to class without help can be like hitting a brick wall for a lot of people on the spectrum. I often tell people with Asperger’s that they have to learn in words what most people learn intuitively.’

 

However, colleges do often provide services such as peer mentorship programmes to help ease people with autism into college life. Moreover, Shattuck and his colleagues have recently found that people on the autism spectrum are more likely to choose a science, technology or mathematics degree than people without autism, and these types of careers may be just the ones where autistic individuals find the most success. Cubells explains, ‘People on the spectrum can focus on the details. In jobs that would be hideously boring and tedious to most of us, like jobs where you spend hours alone, having a social deficit can be a real strength.’

Categories: adults, autism, autism spectrum, Disorder, nbsp, people, spectrum, spectrum disorder, university, wellness experts

The Big C: Why this Vitamin is Vital for Staying Young

When you think of the wellness benefits of vitamin C, your imagination probably stretches as far as scurvy, and the common cold. As the former really isn’t so much of a problem in modern day Britain, and the latter probably isn’t going to properly threaten your wellbeing, this makes vitamin C rather, well, insignificant, doesn’t it? However, this is an unfair judgement to pass on vitamin C, as scientists have taken a fresh look at the nutrient, and deemed it a vital vitamin for your anti-ageing wellness, as well as helping you stay healthy. Here’s why:

 

1. C away those wrinkles: There’s not a beauty product around that doesn’t have an ingredient list filled to the brim with antioxidants. The reason for this is that antioxidants (including vitamin C) can help you to turn back the clock on your wrinkles. According to an October 2007 study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, if you eat vitamin C-rich foods, you’re less likely to have wrinkles and age-related dry skin than those whose diets contain only small amounts of the vitamin. Patricia Farris, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Tulane University in New Orleans, explains, ‘Vitamin C does some repair and firming on the skin.’

 

2. C that heart protected: While the wellness debate continues over the true effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing heart disease, the evidence on the “pro” side is pretty convincing. A Finnish study found that taking more than 700mg of C supplements daily reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease by 25%, while Harvard University researchers found that women who take 500mg of vitamin C combined with 600IU of other antioxidant vitamin E can cut their risk of stroke by 30%.

 

3. C off the Big C: A diet full of vitamin C–rich fruits and vegetables may lower your risks of bladder, oesophagus, stomach, and lung cancers. Again, we need more research in this area to find out an exact cause-and-effect, but the association between vitamin C and cancer prevention – and even cancer treatment – is strong. Mark Levine, MD, chief of the molecular and clinical nutrition section and senior staff physician at the National Institutes of Health, advises, ‘Strive for five or more fruits and vegetables daily, in a rainbow of colours; its where the most benefit is.’

 

4. C your brain power boosted: Again, pairing up vitamins C and E (at 500mg and 400IU, respectively) is beneficial to your health, this time because it may lessen your risk of Alzheimer’s by 64%, research in the Archives of Neurology has shown. Study author Peter Zandi, PhD, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, notes, ‘Some studies suggest that vitamin E does its job reducing free radicals in the body, but then its capacity is depleted. Vitamin C may recharge E.’

 

5. C more: Not only can vitamin C delay your need for reading glasses as you age, it can also help prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is one of the leading causes of blindness. The National Eye Institute recently sponsored a clinical trial which showed that a daily supplement of 500mg vitamin C, 400IU vitamin E, 15mg beta-carotene, 80mg zinc, and 2mg copper reduced moderate or severe AMD by up to 25%.

 

6. C yourself into old age: You may have heard that green tea boosts your body’s defences against toxins, preventing cancer, heart attack, stroke, and lots of other maladies, but citrus juices (such as lemon, lime, orange) may supercharge the immunity-boosting power of green tea. A study led by Mario G. Ferruzzi, PhD, assistant professor in Purdue University’s department of food and nutrition, found that mixing citrus juice with green tea enabled 80% of the tea’s anti-oxidants to stick around after simulated digestion.

Categories: age related, assistant professor, cancer, clinical, clinical nutrition, green tea, nbsp, study, university, vitamin, vitamin c, Wrinkles

Depression: Is It A Side Effect Of University?

Nearly a quarter of students suffer from some form of anxiety and depression, according to a recent study. Parents back home may be concerned that their teenager who has recently flown the nest is not coping, and this can impact on family wellness. The good news is, however, that more of these students are now feeling able to seek help.

The mental health survey revealed that, nationally, a large percentage of students were finding their wellbeing affected by the symptoms of mental illness when living away from home for the first time, and this is a problem that universities are finally beginning to cotton on to. They are now stepping up their efforts to provide mental health services to students, to help them work through these issues more quickly and to avoid them detracting from the serious business of their studies.

Whilst the numbers of students who are suffering from these types of wellness issues have remained the same, the so-called ‘help gap’ has narrowed, meaning that there are better systems in place to identify and treat mental health issues among students, particularly anxiety and depression.

These often take the form of depression screenings, where students can attend a clinic to have a free, confidential screening that will identify whether they are suffering from depression or anxiety. Depending on the outcome of this screening, students are offered the opportunity to speak to a medical professional, who will then be able to refer them to the appropriate professionals such as counsellors, or consider whether medication may be of any benefit in their specific case.

The numbers of students using these services are increasing year-on-year. This may be attributed to increased awareness of the services or it may be in part due to a change in the way that mental illness is perceived in society. There is now far less of a stigma associated with getting a diagnosis and seeking help, and so young people are far more likely to come forward.

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Depression: Is It A Side Effect Of University?

Categories: anxiety, depression, university

US Uni Leads the Way with a Community of Mental Wellness

If the University of Virginia has always had mental wellness as central focus, then the series of mass shootings, in which students lost their lives, has strengthened its resolve to provide better access to mental health resources. However, this is a year-round task for the wellness experts and care-providers at the institution.

According to Hillary Barry, the peer health education coordinator at the University’s Office of Health Promotion, one of the first steps to increasing access to mental health resources is to remove the stigma and misconceptions that surround mental illness. ‘38% of UVa students felt they needed help with mental health in the past year. [Being aware that these problems exist] is much more important to a successful college experience than students might realize,’ she said.

Jamie Leonard, director of the Office of Health Promotion, noted, ‘We’re looking at the needs of the students, and more students come into the University with a diagnosable mental disorder. We are better at diagnosing now.’ The main arm of the University’s attempts to address the students’ mental wellbeing is the Student Health’s Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which provides access to counselling, sponsors mental wellness events and runs a strong suicide prevention programme. Interim Director Matt Zimmerman said, ‘The policy is strong, and may contribute to reducing the risk of suicide at U.Va. The suicide rate is one-third of the national average for public universities our size.’

However, when first year student Jake Cusano did commit suicide, the coordinated response of the various mental health organisations the University has in place, showcased them all at their best. The Office of the Dean of Students identified students most in need of support and reached out to CAPS, who then teamed up with resident life to hold hall meetings in Cusano’s dorm.

According to Cusano’s close friend Andrew Kwon, the 2016 First Year Council president, the resident life community was a great resource for grief-stricken students. ‘The RA in Jake’s hall is doing a really good job of getting everyone on the same page and keeping everyone in perspective. We leaned on each other during that time period, [and] made sure to continue communicating.’ CAPS Crisis Management Coordinator Lenny Carter spoke about the grieving process at the vigil, which, to Kwon, ‘showed everyone that came how strong the U.Va. community and support system we have really is.’

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US Uni Leads the Way with a Community of Mental Wellness

Categories: mental wellness programme, suicide, university

Which Universities are Dropping the Ball on Sexual Health?

A new report has dubbed Cardiff University the worst for providing students with sexual health services, whilst Nottingham came out on top. This is according to a sexual health league of Russell Group universities, which were graded on categories including services, on-campus information and student satisfaction. The report also revealed that some students faced a ‘postcode lottery’.

The report was compiled by Dr Ed, an online doctor service, based on details provided by student welfare representatives of the sexual wellness facilities offered by universities. According to many, information on campus was ‘weak or non-existent’, and some students’ access to services depended on their postcode. Dr Ed’s clinical consultant Dr Jasper Mordhorst reported, ‘If we lived in certain postcodes, we could access the university health centre facilities, but on other occasions we were told we would have to go to the local GUM clinic. Providing a standardised sexual health service to all students would seem like a great step forward.’

Nottingham, Kings College London and Bristol University led the table with a First Class ranking, whilst a 2:1 was awarded to York, Exeter, Cambridge, Glasgow, Queen Mary’s University London, University College London, Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham University. Oxford University, Imperial College London, Queens University Belfast, Southampton and Edinburgh University received a 2:2 grade, whilst a Third went to Warwick, Sheffield, Leeds and London School of Economics. The bottom three, with a ‘Fail’, were Durham, Manchester and Cardiff.

Chlamydia disease is the number one reason women cannot conceive in later life and around 10% of under 25-year-olds carry it. According to Mordhorst, ‘Universities are in a prime position to communicate, educate and encourage testing, and should focus on making sexual health services easy to access, multi-cultural and educational. Young people tend to change partners much more than other age groups, so transmission rates of STI’s are much higher.’

A spokesperson for Cardiff responded, ‘Cardiff University takes the matter of its students’ health very seriously – sexual health is no exception. We have reviewed the report in question and consider its findings inaccurate. The organisation that carried out this study has been contacted and we hope the full scope of our comprehensive sexual health services will be considered in a revised report.’

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Which Universities are Dropping the Ball on Sexual Health?

Categories: Research, Sexual Health Resources, university