University is renowned for sexual experimentation, so whether you're planning on having sex or not, it's vital to be prepared. The average age women lose their virginity in the UK is 18.3, according to a study by Durex's Face of Global Sex report . This means that, as you'd expect, a lot of people are arriving at university with no experience dealing with contraception.
You don't want to be forced to pay a trip to the medical centre to get an STD test or even emergency contraception in the first week of university. For that reason, Dr Patel advises everyone to use a barrier method of contraception. This includes condoms, diaphragms, and caps. "These will help you to avoid sexually transmitted infections, but some infections such as chlamydia can be silent and you may not know that your partner has them," she says. The GP also recommends thinking about long term contraception, and registering with a local GP at your university in case you need to get tested for STIs or need advice. She adds, "It's a good idea to get a full STI check between partners, to ensure your sexual health safety but that of your partner, especially if you are having casual sex."