If only I’d known.  If only someone had told me. 

There are some things in college life you can’t control:  roommates who endlessly hit “snooze”; weird dorm odors; mandatory Friday morning lab; a computer crash at the worst possible time.  They may seem disastrous, but someday, when you recall them, you’ll laugh.

Then there are the challenges you may face in college, or later, that will never bring a smile.  Blisters or warts in private places.  Meaningless, regrettable sex.  Pre-cancerous conditions.  Age-related infertility.  These are huge issues that affect women more often than men.  They can throw your life plans off track.  They can stand between you and your dreams.

The good news?  It’s in your hands.  You can avoid joining the patients streaming into counselors’ offices saying, if only I’d known.   

We’re the women at Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute, and we believe knowledge is a good thing.  We do, however, reserve the right to edit comments when we feel it is warranted.