Shelly Sloan is the Health Promotion Coordinator and Ted Winkworth is the Alcohol and Other Drug Program Coordinator. You can find them at The Lifestyles Center in Walker Health Center. Shelly received her master’s degree in Community Health Education and is certified in health education. Ted received his master’s degree in counseling and is also a credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor.

Dear Shelly and Ted,

I heard that recycling paper causes more pollution than making new paper. Is that true?

Signed,

The Lorax

Dear Lorax,

We didn’t know a lot about this one so we invited our friend Jamie Adams to do a guest spot. Jamie is the campus sustainability coordinator here at Oswego. She has all sorts of great information on what our campus is doing in an effort to become completely carbon neutral by 2050. She also works on a lot of great green programs. Here’s what she had to say:

“While recycling paper does use a certain amount of fossil fuels, chemicals and energy, it uses approximately 40 percent less than the creation of paper from virgin materials, or using waste-paper facilities. Consider reducing overall paper consumption. Reading in e-pub format, sending in your bills electronically and speaking with your instructors about submitting work via Angel or email.”

-Shelly and Ted

Dear Shelly and Ted,

I’d like to dare my friend to wear five birth control patches for 24 hours. Can she overdose? I don’t want her to die.

Signed,

Daring Dose

Dear Daring Dose,

My first reaction is why would you want to dare your friend to do something you may think of as even remotely dangerous? It is most likely not life-threatening, but it could be. It could make your friend pretty sick, too. Some effects include: breast tenderness, discoloration of urine, drowsiness, excessive vaginal bleeding (2-7 days following the overdose), headache, mental changes, nausea and vomiting, rash, stroke and blood clots.

If someone experiences an overdose of birth control, please call Poison Control immediately. If you are looking for a dare for your friend, choose something that would not risk their health.

-Shelly

Dear Shelly and Ted,

Why do women shave it all off “down there?”

Signed,

Out of the Woods

Dear Out of the Woods,

Quite honestly, it is all a matter of personal preference. Not all women shave; some tweeze, wax or may even choose other methods of removal. Some women leave it as is and don’t do any of the above. It’s the same with men—some “clean it up” and some decide to go with a more “natural” look. If you choose to go with a design, shape or trim, there are some things to think about: waxing can be uncomfortable, could cause burns and there could be diseases in the wax (herpes, etc. by double dipping the wax stick or using another contaminated process). It can also be uncomfortable both when it is removed and when it grows back—in removal, the pores of the skin open and could make it more prone to infection. It could also result in an ingrown hair, or skin irritation; there are a large number of possible risks or issues. But in the end, if you feel better with removal and are okay with the risks, go for it!

-Shelly

If you have a question, you can submit anonymously at www.lifestylecenter.net/RealTalk or send a Direct Message on Twitter @LSC_Oswego

Real Talk contributions by Peer Educators: Elsaa Batista, Jillian Bergemann, Halie Bloom, Kyle DeCarr, Julie Jacques and Racheal Richardson