The Common Room

What are the effects of alcohol on sex?

Physiological: Sex will be less enjoyable when senses of touch, concentration, and balance are reduced.

Examples:

• Many people find it difficult reaching orgasm while intoxicated
• You may pass out or fall asleep in the middle of it
• Men may find it more difficult to become or stay erect

Sexual Assault: The use of alcohol can increase the risk of sexual assault.

Examples:

• Intoxication reduces judgment.
• Common use of date-rape drugs slipped into drinks (or alcohol itself being used as a date-rape drug by a drunken person being less resistant).
• In NYS if you are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, you cannot legally give consent to sexual activity.

STI/Pregnancy Prevention: Since your motor skills are impaired when you’re drunk, practicing safer sex may be more challenging

Examples:

• May forget to use a barrier method or may use barrier methods improperly (more difficulty putting on a condom because your vision/touch will be off (i.e. as displayed in the movie Knocked Up).
• If you are a woman and are drunk you may forget to take your birth control pill or if you are vomiting you may throw up your pill before it has had a chance to enter your system

How can we mix sex and alcohol safely?

• Set a limit of how many drinks you will have and abide by it
• Use a buddy system
• Always watch your drink
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Always carry cash, credit cards, or a cell phone with you (not only in your wallet but also a pocket)

Plugs

Valentine’s Day Tabling @ Kimmel Center, Lobby, Tuesday, February 12th; Wednesday, February 13th; and Thursday, February 14th from 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.

In honor of National Condom Week, Sexual Health Advocates will be tabling, giving after free condoms, brochures and other sexual giveaways AND the Lube in a Tube guessing game will be going on. You don’t want to miss this (yours truly will be tabling on Wednesday)!

Candy and Condoms @ UHALL, Thursday, February 14th from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Lobby.

Get candy or condoms or both! Something sweet and something handy makes for a great Valentine’s Day.

Sextravaganza @ Brittany Residence Hall, Tuesday, March 4th from 7-10PM

Because how often is NYU sexy? Not that often, but for one night only… it will be incredibly sexy, and everyone will be there. Free gifts, food, and goodie bags as well as renowned guest speakers and an underwear design contest … what more could you ask for?

For more information go to: http://nyu.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7927534145

ASK VERA appears every Monday in The Common Room. Put your questions in the ASK VERA box, located at the left end of the mailboxes in the U-Hall lobby.

VERA HENDRIX, a senior in CAS, is U-Hall’s Sexual Health Advocate. She’s available to answer any questions related to sexual health that you may have and has free samples of condoms and lube.

Vera has new Q & A hours this term: Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in room 808A. Or, you can e-mail her at vh360@nyu.edu to schedule an appointment.