What Are The Chances Of Getting A STD/STI While In College?

Your chances of getting an STI in college really depend on what it is you’re doing in college. Or maybe I should say who you’re doing.

If you are engaging in casual sex, then your risk of getting an STI  is going to go up. If you’re in a monogamous relationship, then the chances are pretty low for getting an STI. If you’re not engaging in any type of partnered sex play, then your chances are pretty much non-existent.

We do see higher rates of STIs among the college aged population. But note that I said college aged, and not in college. College age is traditionally 18 – 24. If you’re in that age range and not in college, you’re still at risk for an STI if you’re engaging in high risk behavior.

Traditionally college students were known for getting drunk and hooking up. The idea was that they had freedom and the chance to explore. But if you’re any age and doing the same things, then you’re at risk.

And this is where it gets interesting. Because a lot of what we see now in college students is the opposite of what people expect. This generation of college age students is waiting longer before they have their first sexual experience. And they’re not hooking up as much as previous generations. If you want to read more about this, you may find this article interesting.  

They’re also not drinking alcohol as much as previous generations. And this is going to reduce STI risk.

When people drink and use drugs, their risk of STIs goes up. This is because of the decisions that people make when they’re under the influence. It can be hard for people to ask a new partner about things like STI history, and to negotiate condom use. It can be really difficult to do when you’re drunk or stoned, or you may not even think about doing it at all.

Right now, people aged 15 – 24 make up about 13% of the US population, but they account for more than 60% of all chlamydia cases. The rates are lower for gonorrhea, but that age group accounts for over 40% of gonorrhea cases, and 25% of syphilis cases.

But the current generation of college student seems to be less interested in both casual sex and alcohol use then previous generations. So ask me again in a couple of years about STI risk while in college and I may tell you something different!

Until next time, be safe and have fun!

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