SEXUAL HEALTH

When you are sexually active, pregnancy is usually the greatest concern.  You may be afraid of what your parents or boyfriend will do if you become pregnant.  You may also be concerned that you will not be able to finish school or pursue your career.  While pregnancy is something to be very concerned about, sexually transmitted infections, (STI), are equally, if not more, worrisome.  You are at risk for pregnancy and an STI any time you have sex.
The Basics
There are now more than a dozen STIs, several of which are chronic, life-long infections.  In the United States, it is estimated that there are 19 million new infections each year - over half of these occurring in young people, ages 15-24 i.  Presently, over 70 million people in the U.S. are infected, or have been infected with an STI or STD ii.
 
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): What Are They?
An STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) is an infection that does not show any physical signs or symptoms.  It is contracted from another infected person through sexual activity.  It becomes an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) when symptoms appear.  It’s important to remember that not all infected people will have signs or symptoms.  The problem is that some of these STDs can cause lots of damage and can be passed to your partner without your knowledge.  You do not have to have symptoms to be contagious; you can spread the disease at any time.
 
STIs & STDs: Prevention
Did you know that some STIs can be spread through all forms of sex and/or intimate skin-to-skin contact (oral sex, outercourse, anal sex, mutual masturbation)?  Condoms are not as effective as most think at preventing the spread of STIs. Using a condom during sex can sometimes reduce the risk for transmitting or contracting certain STIs, but using a condom never eliminates the risk entirely.

Consistent condom use 100% of the time during vaginal sex reduces your risk for:
  • HIV by 85% iii
  • Gonorrhea by about 50% iv
  • Chlamydia by about 50% v 
  • Herpes by about 50% vi 
  • Syphilis by about 50% vii 
  • HPV by 50% or less viii 
Few studies have been done to see whether condoms reduce the risk of STIs, including HIV, during oral sex or anal sex ix. 

Abstaining from sexual activity is the only 100% guarantee you have to avoid pregnancy and to avoid contracting an STI. If you feel that you are not ready to have sex, or if you do not want to put yourself at risk for pregnancy or an STI, then abstinence is your best choice.
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice.
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