Physical Consequences
It seems that even with the threat of unwanted consequences such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy, students continue to keep the games alive. Although condoms do offer protection against pregnancy and STIs, they are not foolproof—herpes and genital warts can be transmitted even while wearing one.
Although the Infirmary has no hard data surrounding STIs, last year the clinic examined about 131 lab cultures of suspected herpes transmissions and 39 blood tests, which determine the presence of the herpes antibody.
Health care center lab supervisor Max Galvez estimates that between these two tests, positive results showed up about 40 percent of the time. However, these results include only a small sample of the student population—many don’t seek medical attention or go to the Infirmary. Rather, some may go to Planned Parenthood clinics or private doctors.
As for genital warts, which are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus, there is no diagnostic test available for detection, aside from actually seeing them on the genitals. If the warts are too small to be seen on women, they usually show up on a pap smear. Women’s Clinic Supervisor Phyllis Craig says a vast majority of abnormal pap smears are HPV-related. But she also notes that she sees fewer cases of HPV than she did in the past two decades.
Despite education and precaution, the risks are still present because contraceptives are not 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy or STIs. Both herpes and HPV can be present without symptoms and still be transmitted to a sexual partner, Craig says.
Luckily for Grace, she has not encountered any STIs or genital warts to date. After her first sexual encounter more than two years ago, she went on to have sex with four more guys. Though she has since given up participating in The Bank with her former roommates, she continues to keep a personal list in her planner.
But the silly game she played with her roommates has forever changed her outlook on sex. “I was really naïve, but now I think I have grown up a lot as a person,” she says slowly. She rests her head in her hands.
“I did lose my virginity during the first semester. I was shocked and it kind of sobered me up for a bit. I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, I am not a virgin anymore.’ Since that time, which was less than a year ago, she has been with five different guys. “I have different roommates now and they don’t know about The Bank, but I do keep my own list in my planner. It’s a habit.”
Not-so-safe sex
Even though condoms provide the most protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when compared to all other contraceptives except abstinence, two incurable STIs can be contracted while wearing a condom. Here’s the low-down:
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) causes these warts. They appear to have a bumpy, cauliflower surface, though often they are microscopic. In this case, those infected have no symptoms and can pass the virus to others. This is especially dangerous for women because, if left untreated, HPV can lead to cervical cancer. Herpes
This virus is characterized by an outbreak of painful, fluid-filled blisters. It is the oldest STI, and Planned Parenthood Education Director Staci Fox says one in four people over the age of 24 carry either oral or genital herpes, which is transmitted during outbreaks. And although oral herpes is not necessarily sexually transmitted, it can be passed from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex and result in genital herpes.
Both genital warts and herpes are spread through skin-to-skin contact. Because they are spread so easily, both have reached epidemic proportions. If someone comes into contact with an infected person, he or she can easily contract these viruses. Fox says you don’t even have to be having intercourse to become infected—even foreplay could mean transmission.
So, although condoms are a good start, they cannot offer a total defense against genital warts or herpes. You might want to think about that before you start to play your own sex games.
