Terri Jones
For The Morning Star
I recently attended a training program on sexual health and was completely blown away by the information being presented.
n One out of four sexually active teens has a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
n STIs among seniors is on the rise
n Syphilis is on the rise. Stats from Edmonton and Calgary show that syphilis has risen by 100 per cent and gonorrhea by 80 per cent.
n The strains are mutating and becoming antibiotic-resistant
n 2/3 of all reported cases of chlamydia are between the ages of 15 and 24.
n 50 per cent of men and 75 per cent of women will not have any symptoms which is dangerous because if chlamydia is left untreated it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility
n The estimates are up to 85 per cent of infertility in women is due to STIs
n Correct, consistent use of condoms offers some degree of protection against STI’s that are transmitted by fluids, condoms do not prevent the spread of the two most common STIs: HPV and genital herpes.
n Up to 75 per cent of sexually active Canadians will have HPV in their lifetime.
n 99.7 per cent of cervical cancer in women is caused by the HPV — Human Papilloma Virus. One woman dies every day in Canada from cervical cancer.
Here are some of the myths people believe about STIs.
Myth: Urinating in a shower after intercourse will rinse away any potential STI bacteria or viruses.
Fact: Most STI contagions enter through body fluids – including saliva, blood, and skin to skin contact. Once in – they’re in – you can’t wash them away.
Myth: Two condoms are better than one.
Fact: Exactly the opposite is true. Two used at once are more likely to slip off, tear, etc. You need to follow the directions explicitly.
Myth: If you feel fine, you probably don’t have an STI.
Fact: Please refer back to the stats above which show that the greater percentage of those infected with chlamydia have no symptoms.
Myth: You can’t get an STI from oral sex.
Fact: Dentists are finding STI symptoms in the mouths and throats of their clients. STIs in your mouth can be passed to other areas of your partner’s body.
(Source: Centers for Disease Control / Public Health Agency of Canada, 2009 / Teen Sex Reality Check, Sexual Behavior and STD’s in the 21st Century by Stephen J Genuis, M.D. & Shelagh K. Genuis, BSCOT)
The point of all of this information is not to scare you. The point is to educate so that you make wise sexual choices.
So, what do you do to protect yourself? Well there is only one way to ensure 100 per cent protection – abstinence, followed by monogamous sex (given each partner is STI-free). If the first two are not options for you, you need to make sure both you and your partner are free from infection at the time of sexual contact, followed by ensuring that you use protection such as (condoms, dental dams, etc.) Regular STI testing is very important for those who are sexually active because of the high percentage of people who have no physical symptoms.
Unfortunately, not all STIs are curable. This is true for all viral STIs such as herpes or human papilloma virus. You can get treatment to lessen the symptoms of outbreaks, but the virus will remain in your body for your lifetime. This doesn’t mean you can’t have sexual contact with someone who has the virus. You just have to be very careful and use proper protection at all times.
Sexual health is important for all ages. When you are engaged in sexual activity with a partner, in a sense you are exposing yourself to all of the people that your partner has had sexual contact with. From when you first become sexually active to the last time you have sexual contact you need to make wise choices.
The Vernon Live Well Clinic’s objective is to empower individuals to make fully informed decisions regarding sexual health. We are a charitable organization and all of our services are free. Our services include: STI testing, treatment and education to minimize future risk and improve health outcomes; pregnancy testing and crisis peer support and complete options information on parenting, abortion and adoption for those facing unplanned pregnancies and sexual education programs to youth, parents and organizations.
STI testing is available on Tuesdays 4 to 8 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Office hours are Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment, call 778-475-6016. The clinic is at 3504-30th St.
Terri Jones is executive director of the Vernon Live Well Clinic.