The Ultimate Guide to Safer Sex

Greatist THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO Safer Sex V A roll in the hay can be a good time, but there's more to sexual health than just getting it on. Here's what you need to know: •Who's Doing It Who's having sex, and how often? Average age of first sexual MALE FEMALE 16.9 17.4 intercourse + 18-to-29-year-olds have sex I2 times a year on average. Over half of Americans ages 18 to 24 say their last sexual partner was either someone they were dating or casually seeing. 53 percent of Americans have sex at least once per week. •STIS & You • It's easy to forget protection just that once -but getting caught up in the heat of the moment can definitely have consequences! Up to 80 percent of those infected with an STI will V not have visible symptoms, so testing is a must. According to the CDC, 19 million people are infected with STIS every year in the U.S. More than half of people infected are between the ages of 15 and 24. Get Tested M After having unprotected sex with someone who may have an STI. If you have had multiple partners. Get regular checkups: If you have any symptoms such as genital itching, lumps or blisters in the genital area, or unusual discharge from the vagina or penis. STIS can be detected during a routine visit to a gynecologist or urologist. Once per year, regardless of contact! Common STIS You Should Know About > CHLAMYDIA + Chlamydia, left untreated, can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women, which can More than 1,307,000 Americans were infected with chlamydia in 2010. cause infertility, ectopic pregnancies, and chronic pain. GONORRHEA < + Third most common STI in the U.S. 309,341 new cases were reported in 2010. Gonorrhea makes you + A new, treatment-resistant strain of gonorrhea has appeared, making more susceptible to HIV infection. it more difficult to treat. > GENITAL HERPES + Is incurable, though it can be treated with anti-viral drugs. According to the CDC, 1 out of 6 people ages 14 to 49 have genital herpes. + Passed via skin-to-skin contact, so condoms reduce the chance of transmission. HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV) < + HPV is the most common STI, infecting between 50 percent and 80 percent of the population. + Get vaccinated to stay safe from + 50 percent of sexually active some strains of HPVI Condoms provide partial protection. people will have HPV at least once. + Increases the risk of throat, anal, penile, and cervical cancers. + There's no medical treatment. > SYPHILIS + Nearly 46,000 new cases + Untreated syphilis often leads to death. occurred in 2010. + It has a long dormant period when you can infect others but show no symptoms. HIV < Around 1.1 million Americans live with percent of those infected 21 are unaware, and getting HIV. tested could save their lives. + There is no cure, but anti-viral drugs can keep symptoms in check. • How Safe Are You • People can get into trouble when they're not careful. When you're out with friends, make sure to be safe to avoid becoming a cautionary tale. 2/3 60 percent of women who contracted STIS during college had sex while under the of rape victims ages 18 to 29 knew their attacker. influence of alcohol. Over 75 percent of college students who had forced sexual experiences were drunk or high at the time. Don't Risk It Never accept a drink from someone you don't know well or trust, especially one that's already open. Do not leave your drink unattended at any time, since this makes it easy for someone to slip something into it. If you suspect you have been drugged, go to the ER immediately for urine tests. If possible, take the drugged beverage with you. Use the buddy system. Party with friends and go home together so you can keep an eye on each other. •Know Your Contraceptives· How familiar are you with contraceptive options? Knowing what's available to you can be the difference between planned and unplanned pregnancy. According to the National Center of Health Statistics, percent of women ages 15 to 44 have used emergency 10 Contraception, such as the morning-after pill. + Planning ahead can prevent the need for emergency 17 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 use the 10 percent of women rely on their partner to use a condom. measures. birth control pilI. Common Types of Birth Control HORMONAL > VAGINAL RING + Flexible ring (NuvaRing) is placed in the vagina and releases progestin and estrogen. + Works for three weeks and is removed 99 percent effective for one week to allow for menstruation. > PROGESTIN INJECTIONS PROGESTIN IMPLANTS < + Depro-Provera is the most commonly known. + Small rod is implanted in the upper arm and releases progestin. + One shot works for 90 days. + Good for 3 years. percent 99 effective percent 99 effective > THE PATCH + Skin patch releases progestin and estrogen. + Patch works for three weeks 99 percent effective and is removed for one week to allow for menstruation. > BIRTH CONTROL PILL TYPES OF PILLS PROGESTIN AND JUST PROGESTIN THREE-MONTH PILL ESTROGEN + Also called a + Active pills taken "mini-pill." + Prescription only. for three months. percent 998 effective 297 effective percent 98 effective percent BARRIER > CONDOMS MALE CONDOM FEMALE CONDOM + Helps prevent many STIS. +Helps prevent many STIS. 85-98 percent 85-98 percent effective effective > DIAPHRAGM/ CERVICAL CAP + Must be fitted for the woman Y NOT effective against STIS. and covers the cervix. + Used in conjunction with spermicide. 84-94 effective percent VOLTIER Infographic design by: DIGITAL Sources http://www.cdc.gov/std/ http://m.cdc.gov http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/teensexualhealth.html http://www.k-state.edu/counseling/student/date_rape_drugs.htm#stats http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/health/research/25stats.html http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/unintendedpregnancy/contraception.htm http://www.stdandhivtesting.com/blog/2011/08/back-to-school-safety-practicing-safe-sex-at-college/ http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/std-testing-21695.asp http://www.cdc.gov/family/college/ http://www.durex.com/en-sg/sexualwellbeingsurvey/fequency%20of%20sex/pages/default.aspx http://www.iub.edu/-kinsey/resources/faq.html