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Tien Nguyen

Ways To Stay Empowered and Take Care of Your Wellness In College

Ways To Stay Empowered and Take Care of Your Wellness In College

by Tien Nguyen · Jan 24, 2022

For women, staying in tune with our bodies and managing our unique health needs can be challenging, especially in college. With so much on our plates academically and personally, health can fall to the wayside. However, fostering overall wellness—spiritually, physically, and mentally—is paramount to your ability for success on or off-campus. You can become your own best advocate for yourself and others’ wellness by taking steps to know your body, reach out, share, and discover resources available through your university network and community. Here are three ways to take initiative to be empowered, embrace your needs, and take charge of your wellness in college.

Stay On Top of Your Healthcare Needs

Don’t neglect your wellness check-ins. Becoming wrapped up in the semester may distract you from prioritizing your health and you may forget to keep up with your healthcare visits. Fortunately, there are tools to help keep track of your health needs and make speaking with a healthcare professional more accessible and convenient. Telemedicine in particular can be a great way to consult with a variety of specialists whether you are in your dorm or at home. Speaking with a gynecologist about contraceptives such as an IUD, a dermatologist to help you find a prescription acne medication for pimples,  or a therapist to help you with mental health struggles, can all be done via telemedicine. If you happen to feel some anxiety around a health visit, or think that a certain topic may be too taboo to bring up, remember that speaking with a healthcare provider can be empowering and reassuring. A conversation with a healthcare expert can alleviate tension or uncertainty you may be feeling, and talking through your concerns can help you to recognize your stressors and be able to better manage them. Your provider will be understanding and will help you become more confident talking about your health and wellness.

Let’s Talk Stress Management 

Stress can be inevitable when the demands of college become a lot to handle. According to a study by The American College Health Association, 48 percent of college women surveyed rated their overall stress levels as more than average. Such stress can have a significant impact on your overall health and academics. The uncertainty introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the process. College can be an overwhelming place for women who juggle multiple responsibilities. From cramming for your next exam to getting involved in community work, athletics, or passion projects, it can often seem like there is so much to tackle at once. However, remind yourself that you are indeed accomplished and that you should not measure success by how much you are doing. Be proud, own your success, and empower yourself by being in control of striking a balance. Pause for a moment, take a breath and remember that stress management is key to your health and happiness. Prioritize working in stress management strategies into your day. Some great strategies to try out include:

  • Bullet journaling
  • Deep breathing
  • Enjoying a podcast
  • Listening to music
  • Reading
  • Trying a self-care box
  • Watching your favorite YouTube channel

Truthfully, this list could be endless, so what really matters is finding a technique that engages and resonates with you.

Uplift Yourself and Other Women

The impacts of social isolation on mental health are widespread nowadays due to the pandemic. It can be mentally draining to spend most of your time in class just to return to your space at the end of the day. Therefore, it is vital to maintain connections and interact safely with your peers. What better way is there to connect with others than through women empowering other women? Check out your campus groups to see if there are any related to women’s rights or social justice. You can also try to find women’s groups in your field of study. These organizations may meet virtually on a regular basis, or maybe still are able to meet in small groups in person. It can be a great way to champion women’s causes, network, and form meaningful connections with others. On a personal level, getting involved can help you to feel more confident and lift your spirits. We all know how good it feels when another woman compliments us, or how satisfying it is to work together towards a cause. Let’s mentor and cheer each other on.

Empowering yourself to take care of your wellness in college is rewarding. Learning more about your body, wellness strategies, and how to bring positivity into your life can transform your entire college experience. Be an advocate for yourself but also try to empower others as well. Don’t hesitate to share what you know, initiate a conversation, start a new group, and spread awareness on great women’s causes. When it comes to advocating for yourself and other women in your community, college is a great place to start.

Featured Image by showfantasy

Filed Under: BLOG, HEALTH, LOVE, LIFE AND IDENTITY

Art Restores Connection in a Pandemic 

Art Restores Connection in a Pandemic 

by Tien Nguyen · May 23, 2020

Authors: Tien Nguyen, Faiza Sarwar, Neha Dronamraju, Sarah Bloodworth

When we look back on the pandemic, most of us won’t rewatch news casts or reread academic papers about this time. Instead, we will look at the images, the movies, the poems, even the patterned face masks to remember our experiences.

Art from history’s pandemics and plagues are often riddled with blood, skeletons, and an inordinate amount of crazed demons.

Yet, the way artists are interpreting this pandemic is not about the loss of life or gore, but the restoration of genuine connection.

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Triumph of Death, c. 1562

We are all finding ways to connect, whether that be waving six feet apart or dancing through a screen. Artists across communities are restoring this loss of connection by encouraging an exchange of narratives, expression, and hope through their respective mediums.

We wanted to look at the pandemic through the eyes of these artists, whether they were dancers, painters, or even face mask designers. These narratives remind us that even when social normalities of the world have shifted, we remain rooted in our desire for connection and being.

Creating Physical Connection During Social Distancing

“To touch can be to give life,” said Michelangelo. Losing the ability to touch and be near one another can cause feelings of sorrow and isolation, but art can universally fill this void.

Artist Jenn Chemasko is often inspired by her physical environment to produce paintings and drawings. She recently created a piece called Quarantine Supplies, a still-life painting that represents the idleness of social quarantine.

Jenn Chemasko, Quarantine Supplies

“I am inspired by the way the light hits … caresses and reveals forms,” said Chemasko. “(In Quarantine Supplies), I was very free with my color in ways that I can’t be free in other areas of my life right now.”

While Chemasko restores the vibrancy of simple life through her paintings, not all art is limited to brushstrokes on a canvas.

Katherine Adler, an artist with a background in performance art and theatre, is getting creative in the absence of performances and rehearsals.

“Within the dance community, we are very much struggling with the lack of touch,” said Adler. “It’s part of our daily practice.”

Adler aims to address a pervasive feeling of confinement by embodying expansiveness in their dance form.

“People are feeling smaller than usual and so I am trying to show expansiveness,” said Adler. “I know a lot of people living in cities right now are really trapped in small, tight quarters.”

Image from Adler’s 3-part series Alone, but Dreaming

Adler added that a diverse definition of art is particularly important now to provide multiple artforms for people to connect to.

“I think at this time when we are seeking so much connection, it’s important to establish multiple languages in which to express those things,” said Adler. “I like to create channels for people to connect in ways they wouldn’t have otherwise had.”

Building Connection Through Culture

The pandemic has led to a new coping culture that many of us are partaking in. From Animal Crossing to quarantine memes, we are finding joy and laughter by connecting to others with similar experiences. Uniquely, a pandemic knows no boundaries and oftentimes, it seems as though the entirety of Earth is in on the joke.

Marie Castiglione, owner of stationery company Spaghetti & Meatballs, was inspired to make social distancing greeting cards after her business took a hit due to the pandemic.

Let The Good Times Roll card, Spaghetti & Meatballs

“When the pandemic happened it was devastating,” said Castiglione. “I sat around and moped for a few days but eventually had to put on my big girl pants and make the most of the situation.”

She decided to design 10 social distancing cards and sold them direct-to-consumer through Etsy. In 24 hours, she got 20 sales. Castiglione said she knew she had tapped into something magical.

While Castiglione describes what is happening right now as devastating, she said she wants to use the comedy of social distancing culture to bring about a sense of positivity and solidarity.

“Humor and light-hearted jokes are what brings us all together and give us a breath of hope in the future,” said Catiglione. “I truly believe laughter is life’s most powerful medicine and that’s how I always approach all of my cards.”

I Miss You card, Spaghetti & Meatballs

To Gabrielle Wongso, humanity’s panacea is a good meal. When Wongso thinks of food, she thinks: universal, joy, connection.

Wongso, a radio-television-film and journalism major at The University of Texas at Austin, started painting when she was too young to remember it. She spent her early artistic years searching for a niche, and eventually landed on food.

“I draw and paint food — for myself and others — because having a favorite food is universal and it’s a common source of joy,” Wongso said.

When UT sent students home for the semester, Wongso noticed pressing needs in the student community. She was inspired to start her nonprofit, A Painting for ATX, to support fundraising initiatives for students financially impacted by the pandemic. Wongso raises money by selling custom, food-related paintings for $18 each, and she donates all of the proceeds to student emergency funds.

In addition to her student-centered fundraising efforts, Wongso hopes to give back to those who commission her paintings by publicizing local Austin eateries through her art.

“Austin has such a diverse food city,” Wongso said. “I like to support the community while promoting the restaurants around Austin, by painting their food and advertising some of the paintings on social media.”

Wongso’s art serves a tangible financial purpose, but she also hopes to spread joy and hope in an otherwise bleak time. She paints indulgent foods with vibrant colors for this reason.

Gabrielle Wongso, Ramen Tatsuya

“Even though we are in this stressful and uncertain time, people should know not to give up hope,” Wongso said. “I want to help people stay persistent to get through the pandemic.”

Connecting With Our Communities From Indoors

Most of the world is stuck indoors, but that doesn’t stop us from integrating ourselves into the wider community. Through their work, many artists have been able to strengthen the relationships they have with the communities they already cherish, and even connect with new ones.

Object Apparel is an organic clothing brand based in Detroit that is run by architects, Mollie Decker and Michael Sklenka. To them, screen-printed clothing was a form of art that was more accessible to people outside of fine arts. In addition, Decker and Sklenka said they wanted to build a business on sustainable practices such as using non-toxic dyes and organic fabrics.

“We try to have the message of buy less, buy better, buy small, support local people making things the right way,” said Decker. “No one can be perfectly zero waste, but it’s about doing the best you can and continually trying to improve.”

Once the pandemic broke out, they began making and selling face masks.

Organic Cotton Face Mask, Object Apparel

“We felt it was our moral obligation to help people when we have the skills and means to do so,” said Decker. “It just feels like the right thing to do.”

These face masks not only gave them an avenue to create art for a cause, but gave their business some unintended exposure, as well.

“With these masks, we’ve been able to make connections with people in and outside of Detroit,” said Sklenka. “I got to talk to a nurse today who we were able to make a mask for, who really needs it; that’s rewarding in it’s own way.”

Sometimes the act of giving back also lends its form to grief, as it does for Deepti Aravapalli, a student at the University of Texas at Austin.

Aravapalli started posting doodles and poetry on her Instagram account, @deeptidabbles, in 2018. She initially used it as a personal creative outlet, but she started selling her work at the onset of pandemic-related disruption among the UT community.

Inspired by a friend fundraising through commissions, Aravapalli donates all the proceeds from her own commissions to the Mutual Aid Collective, a student emergency fund.

“Most of my commission requests have been for positive or joyful things,” Aravapalli said. “I charge $5 per work, but some people have been donating more, which is cool to see.”

From Deepti Aravapalli’s 3-part series Breathe

Aravapalli’s corona commissions, as she calls them, serve her as well as her community.

“Like many people, I’ve lost something, but I feel bad for grieving that loss because other people have it worse.” Aravapalli said. “This is a way to let myself feel while also considering other people’s pain. Making art gives me some sense of agency.”

Deepti Aravapalli, Courage

Embracing the Connection with Oneself

Amidst the chaos of the pandemic, we pledge to keep ourselves distant from our peers to keep our community safe. The university hustle, coffee shop dates, and work-interactions have all been replaced with an hour on Zoom or Facetime. The rest of the day, individuals are left to face themselves.

Samia Nazir, a Houstonian Islamic artist, started a series of paintings called Sufi Surrealism.

Painting from Nazir’s series Sufi Surrealism

Nazir said she gains comfort in painting white doves, who fly freely in contrast to our social isolation. Nazir explained how, similar to the frozen images of doves flying against abstract landscapes, the pandemic has allowed us to understand that we too are frozen in place.

“Every day I am finding new meanings, purpose and catharsis experience in painting (the white doves),” Nazir said.

Nazir appreciates the inner reflection and peace that painting has brought her, and hopes others will obtain such messages through her art.

Alexa Silverman, a New Jerseyan musician, has taken up art as a coping mechanism during this pandemic. Her art has provided a good distraction from the problems of today.

 “You go into another world; you’re so ingrained in what you’re doing that nothing else really matters when you’re doing it,” Silverman said.

Isolation has allowed for people to delve into new passions, providing projects to fruit into creation when society feels at a standstill. Silverman emphasizes that her art and music is not meant to send a message — she does it for herself.

Alexa Silverman, Dana Wendel

Silverman elaborated on our culture of hyper-productivity. She believes when most people are staying at home, they often think that if they do not obtain a new skill, they will be shunned by society.

“I think it’s okay to not be doing something that helps society; do something that’s helpful for you,” said Silverman.

Vy Ngo is an Austin-based physician/painter, who uses art as a platform to express narratives surrounding the immigrant experience and Asian-American identity. The pandemic has invoked the creation of Life, Interrupted — a series of abstract work depicting the emotional course of humanity during this time.

Painting from Ngo’s series Life, Interrupted

As a physician, Ngo straddles the danger that accompanies her line of work and the safety of her home life. Her artistic side allows for visual expression of how to navigate such dichotomy.

“My life kind of teeters between order and chaos all the time, and a lot of my abstract work uses elements from both those things,” said Ngo.

Ngo said she loves that she is able to express her internal emotions through her work knowing that once it is released it is no longer hers. Her creations become a place of healing for others.

“My hope is that my work will continue to inspire people to allow themselves to swim in those feelings,” said Ngo.

Ngo’s message to maintain social distancing and find things that bring daily joy is directed to young invincibles, who are impatient to restore their pre-pandemic lives.

However, the introspection and reflection derived from isolation can make us all stronger.

From painters to business owners, we see the unique ways art takes shape in times of extreme uncertainty. We tap into our communities, daily interactions, cultures and even ourselves to make our thoughts and emotions tangible. One day this pandemic will come to an end, but the stories we create in the meantime will live on for years to come.

This piece was written in collaboration with Sarah Bloodworth from Zeeva.eco – the impartial community to buy, sell, and share everything eco-friendly. Follow them on Instagram @zeeva.eco.

Featured Image: Deming King Harriman

Filed Under: BLOG, PROJECTS

Can You Label Your Anatomy?

Can You Label Your Anatomy?

by Tien Nguyen · Oct 16, 2019

If I were to ask you what the “down there” part of your anatomy is called, you and most people would probably answer vagina. And if this was a question on some hot-shot big-prize game show, you would sadly go home empty-handed. When it comes to the entire female genitalia, terminology is often thrown around and used in a coded manner. We often use “vagina” to refer to the whole shabang but in reality there is a whole other world down there, and the vagina is only one part of it. 

Most people don’t know very much about what the healthy female genitalia looks like or its basic anatomical structure. Either we weren’t taught about it in our sex ed classes (assuming we even had any) or were taught about it incorrectly. So, forget everything you know or may think you know about the party in your pants because this is your comprehensive guide to the elusive female reproductive anatomy.

Let’s start by debunking the biggest misconception of them all. 

If handed a diagram of the female genital area, many of you would most likely label the vagina as the entire external region. Which is, to say the least, incorrect (cue the womp womp womp). The vagina actually sits inside of your body. What you think is the vagina, is actually called the vulva. The vulva is the external part of female genitalia and serves as a form of protection for the sexual organs, urinary opening, and vagina (all of which are situated inside of your body). The vulva is also responsible for much of a women’s sexual responses. Now that this is cleared up, I think we can all agree that we need to give our vulva more credit than she’s getting.

Image: The Labia Library/Women’s Health Victoria

The outer lips of the vulva are called the labia majora. These are the first things that you see when you look down there and is the area where pubic hair grows naturally. The function of the labia majora is to protect the internal and sensitive parts of the female genitalia. Next are the inner lips, the labia minora, which provide an additional layer of protection and have oil glands that secrete lubrication. With that being said, it seems that the differing appearance of the labia is a cause of stress for many women. Note that the labia is as unique as our fingerprints and they come in all different sizes, symmetries, shapes and colors. Sometimes they match, sometimes they don’t. This is all completely normal and there is no right or wrong way the labia should look, so take charge and embrace the uniqueness of your external anatomy!

Next is what most people have been waiting for: the clitoris.

The tip of the clitoris (also called the glans) is the part that is visible and located at the top of your vulva. It’s the little nub you see when you spread your labia. The tip of the clitoris is covered by the clitoral hood, a flap of skin that slides back and forth, and protects the clitoris from any unwanted stimulation. Notice how at the beginning of this paragraph, I said “the tip of the clitoris,” and not just “the clitoris.” Yup, there’s more, and it’s pretty mind-blowing. The entire clitoris is actually a wishbone-like structure that extends from the glans (outside of your body) to deep inside your body below the labia majora, down on both sides of the vagina. Fun fact, the full clitoris structure wasn’t even discovered until 1998, but we’ll talk about the lack of research priority surrounding female pleasure and female sex anatomy another time (sips tea).

The clitoris is made of spongy tissue, and becomes swollen when you’re aroused. It contains thousands of nerve endings so it is very sensitive and for many women, stimulating it is the best way to have an orgasm. So thank you to you, clitoris. Although we can not see you, we feel your presence nonetheless.

Right below the clitoris is the urethra. This small opening is where your pee comes out (which means your pee does not come out of your vaginal opening!). It’s easy to get the urethra and the clitoris mixed up but remember that the clitoris is above the urethra.

Below the urethra is the vestibule, also known as the vaginal opening. This is where menstrual blood leaves and where babies come out of. You can think of the vestibule as an entrance hall or lobby leading to the main area inside your body aka the vagina.

Now we get to the vagina. Side note: isn’t it crazy how complex the female anatomy is and how misleading it is to call the whole thing a vagina? Anyways, the vagina is a tube that connects your vulva to your cervix and uterus (both located deep inside of the body).

Image: Lucy Han, Teen Vogue

Although the vagina is referred to as a tube here, keep in mind that the vagina is not a tube that is always open. In fact, the vagina acts more like a stretchy muscle, and at rest, the walls of the vagina remains closed and collapsed unless there is something inside of it (a finger, tampon, sex toy, etc.). 

The cervix is located right between the vagina and the uterus. It’s a cylinder-shaped tissue with a tiny dimple-like hole in the middle. It looks sort of like a donut, minus the glaze and powdered sugar. The cervix is the place your OB/GYN takes a sample for a Pap test. It also opens before and during childbirth. Besides that, the cervix stays close and opens up only a tiny amount to let period blood and other menstrual fluids out of the body and sperm into it. You can also feel your cervix at the end of your vagina if you insert a finger, penis, or whatever it may be, into your vagina. This piece of knowledge breaks another misconception. Things like tampons and other objects inserted into the vagina can’t get lost inside of your body because the cervix is like a shut door that won’t let those things through.

Next, the uterus. The uterus is a pear-shaped organ that houses a fetus during pregnancy. Some people call it the “womb.” Every 28-30 days or so (this really depends on the person), the uterus sheds its lining if you are not pregnant and this is the reason why we have periods. 

Finally we have the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Every month, eggs from your ovaries float down two narrow tubes to your uterus. These eggs sit tight and wait. If sperm reaches these eggs then the process of baby formation begins.

Hopefully with your newly acquired knowledge of the vagina and beyond, you can tread forth into the world knowing that there is some crazy, awesome, intricate magic happening down there. Also, there will be a quiz next week over this.

 

Featured Image: Kim Gehrig, Viva La Vulva (2018)

 

Filed Under: BLOG, HEALTH

A Rundown on the Title X “Gag” Rule

A Rundown on the Title X “Gag” Rule

by Tien Nguyen · Sep 19, 2019

Earlier this year, the Trump administration issued a new abortion rule that bars healthcare clinics that perform abortions or provide abortion referrals from receiving Title X funds. The rule was officially enforced yesterday. Here’s a quick rundown on what’s happening and what all of this means for reproductive and women’s health.

Title X is a federal grant program dedicated solely to providing family planning services and related reproductive health services including birth control, STI screenings and breast/cervical cancer screenings for low-income patients.

As the only federal grant program dedicated to these services, Title X is crucial for the health of millions of Americans. Nearly 4,000 clinics nationwide receive Title X funding, allowing them to provide services for around four million people a year. The program is especially important for underinsured or uninsured low-income people of color who often use Title X-funded clinics.

In March 2019, the Trump administration issued a domestic abortion “gag” rule. This rule was fully enforced yesterday (on September 18th, 2019).

The new rule states that health clinics can’t receive certain funding from Title X if they provide abortions or refer patients to other health centers that provide abortions. The rule is meant to create seperation between facilities, programs and any other health services using Title X funds from those that provide abortions. The rule still allows providers to offer “nondirective counseling” on abortion, which means doctors can still go over treatment options with patients in order to make sure they get all of the information they need to make the best decision about their health. However, nondirective counseling would prohibit a doctor from telling a patient where they could go to get an abortion, even if the patient requested this information.

So what does this all mean?

This rule has left facilities receiving Title X funding in a predicament. They can either stop receiving funding from Title X or stop providing abortion services and referrals to patients. If a clinic provider wants to talk to patients about ways to access a safe and legal abortion, they can’t receive Title X funding for other health services they provide like affordable birth control or STI screenings.

Note: Federal law already prohibits the usage of Title X funds to pay for an abortion, and federal Medicaid funding also doesn’t cover abortions except in rare circumstances. Under this rule, Title X-funded facilities can no longer provide abortion services and receive Title X funding for other non-abortion services at the same time — even though none of these funds were used to cover abortion services in the first place.

In August, Planned Parenthood, which treats 40% of all Title X patients in the country, decided to withdraw from the federal program, instead of stopping abortion services and referrals in their clinics. Planned Parenthood is not the only one. Main Family Planning and Public Health Solutions, a group of clinics in Maine and New York, respectively, also announced they would leave the Title X program.

This new rule not only impacts a patient’s ability to receive information about accessing a safe and legal abortion, but also has devastating consequences on those who rely on Title X for comprehensive preventative care and women’s health services. Before Trump’s gag rule, health clinics used Title-X funds to cover 720,000 Pap tests, almost 2 million breast exams and more than 4 million STD tests. Furthermore, funds from the program were also used to prevent about 1 million unintended pregnancies annually, through birth control and other contraception. With so many clinics leaving the Title X program, many low-income patients will now have to travel further distances, endure longer wait times and take time off of work to receive care. The new rule will deny many women the healthcare they need and is a huge step backwards for reproductive and women’s health.

Filed Under: BLOG, RESEARCH AND POLICY

What You Need to Know About HPV

What You Need to Know About HPV

by Tien Nguyen · Sep 9, 2019

What is HPV?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States. It is a viral infection, therefore it is caused by a virus and not a bacteria. There are more than 200 types of human papillomavirus and some types can cause cancer and genital warts.

Who can get HPV?

The virus affects both men and women, and roughly 14 million Americans are infected each year. Most sexually active men and women will contract the virus at some point in their lifetime.

How does HPV spread?

HPV is spread through sexual activity (vaginal, anal, oral) and direct skin to skin contact. The virus can still be passed on even if the person with HPV does not show signs or symptoms. 

Is there a cure for HPV?

There is no cure for HPV, but there is a vaccine than can prevent you from being infected by certain types of HPV in the first place. The CDC recommends for children ages 11-12 to receive the vaccine in order to reduce the risk of cervical cancer and other HPV infections in the future, although it can be given as early as age 9. 

How does the HPV vaccine work?

The HPV vaccine works by introducing tiny proteins that look like the outside of the real human papillomavirus into your body. In response to the vaccine, your immune system will produce antibodies that will recognize and destroy the proteins (think of it like a training exercise!). These antibodies stay in your body, giving you immunity and will protect you if you’re ever exposed to the real virus in the future. 

There are currently three HPV vaccines on the market: Gardasil, Cervarix and Gardasil 9. While the vaccines do not protect you against all strains of HPV, it can protect you against high-risk HPV types that are known to lead to cervical cancer or genital warts. 

  • All three vaccines protect against HPV types 16 and 18, which is known to cause 80% of cervical cancer cases. 
  • Gardasil and Gardasil 9 protect against HPV types 6 and 11, which cause 90% of genital warts cases.
  • Gardasil 9 protects against an additional five HPV types (31, 11, 45, 52 and 58) which can lead to cervical, anus, vaginal and penile cancer.

I’m a teenager, is it too late for me to get the HPV vaccine?

No, it’s not too late! For those who haven’t had the vaccine, doctors often administer it in women up to age 26 and up to age 21 in men. As of 2018, the FDA also expanded Gardasil 9 to include men and women ages 27 to 45.

For people ages 15-45, the vaccine is given in a series of 3 shots. The second shot is given 1 to 2 months after the first shot and the third shot is given 4 to 6 months after the second. For ages 9-14, the vaccine is given in a series of 2 shots and the second shot is given 6 months after the first.

Should I get the vaccine even if I’ve already had sex and don’t know if I’ve been exposed to HPV?

Yes, all people ages 9-26 should receive the HPV vaccine regardless of whether they’ve had sex. While the vaccine can not protect you against an already existing infection, it can protect you against strains you haven’t been exposed to yet.

How can I lower my chances of getting HPV?

    1. Get vaccinated! When you get an HPV vaccine you are not only protecting yourself from the virus, but also helping to stop the spread of the virus to others as well.
    2. Use condoms correctly each time you have sex. This can help prevent you from getting other STIs, including HPV.

 

Need help paying for the HPV Vaccine? The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides no-cost vaccines to children 18 years or younger who are uninsured, Medicaid-eligible, or American Indian/Alaska Native, see more here. 

For more information on the HPV vaccine, see more here. 

 

Filed Under: BLOG, HEALTH

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