Students are being encouraged to think about their sexual health and protect themselves.
The University of Otago's Student Health clinic regularly saw a noticeable increase in cases of the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia in the months of March, April and May, sexual health nurse Libby Reid said.
"Too much alcohol goes with having regrettable incidents. Be aware it goes with the territory," she said.
Because chlamydia often went undetected, staff at Student Health encouraged patients to get tested.
"We are always trying to offer testing so it becomes a normal part of being here," she said.
Testing for the disease was easy, she said.
For men, a urine sample was required. For women, a swab which could do themselves was needed.
The virus was treated with two antibiotic tablets.
Students at halls of residence had already been visited by the clinic's health educator who handed out condoms and spoke to students on the need to use contraception.
For other students, condoms were available from the clinic.
Student Health director Kim Ma'ia'i said sexual health played a large part in the role of the clinic.
Two nurses and a doctor were dedicated to helping students with their sexual health issues.
In terms of the reason behind the increase at the beginning of the university year, he, too, blamed alcohol.
"There are quite well known issues between alcohol and unwanted pregnancy."