In this day and age, I am sure most of you have had that serious talk with your parents about the birds and the bees. Yes. I took it all the way back to when you were sitting at the dinner table with your parents talking about having sex. Having the sex talk can be very awkward, but it is important to know how to protect yourself while you are being sexually active.
No one wants to be that person to catch a sexually transmitted disease (STD) from their significant other or someone they are just having fun with. According to the Centers for Disease Control, almost half of the new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that are diagnosed each year, are majority amongst young adults between the ages of 15-24 years old. With those statistics alone, you should be asking yourself right now, “Do I need to get tested?” If you believe that your body is your temple, you should always take the precautionary measures to avoid any infections.
Since we are college students, it is not uncommon for you to go to parties to mix and mingle with various individuals. However, you should be aware that the possibilities for catching STDs are increased because you don’t know if your partner is getting tested regularly or using condoms with their partners. According to HealthCentral.com, 1 in 4 of all college students will develop one STD by the end of their college matriculation. One reason why those statistics are so high is because there is lack of condom usage amongst college students. According to HealthCentral.com, only 54% of college students are using condoms for vaginal sex on a regular basis. Society has led us to believe that the male will always be prepared for any occasion to go down by having their lucky condom in their wallet. Regardless of gender, you should never rely on the other individual to do their due diligence. Ladies, if you know you are about to take it there with a guy, it is better to stay prepared then to be in Planned Parenthood trying to figure out how you acquired an STD.
According to Hampton.edu, on November 11, 2015, there was a health advisory notice that was sent out to all students about the concerning rise of STDs and STIs that are being acquired on our campus. This doesn’t include the partners that people are intimate with outside of Hampton University. This notice alone should urge students to find better ways to protect themselves from getting these diseases. Being sexually active doesn’t have to be risk-taking when you are aware of the ways to protect yourself from STDs.
There are 5 ways young adults can avoid contracting STDs by
- Practicing abstinence
- Mutual monogamy
- Vaccination
- Reducing sexual partners
- Using condoms
Take control over your sex life by protecting yourself and your partner by using one of these strategies!
Sexually transmitted diseases can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing to have, that is why it is important to have that talk with your partner. Be open with your partner and ask if he or she has been tested recently and how many partners they currently have. At this stage in the game, we are adults, we should be able to have serious conversations about protecting our health. Contracting an STD is not funny and should be taken seriously when it is being discussed. Don’t be afraid sis and talk to your man about what is going on!
After reading this article, I would strongly advise you to talk to your partner about your sex life. Don’t fall victim to getting Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, or Syphilis because you don’t get tested regularly or you simply aren’t being a responsible adult. Ultimately, you have the power to decide who you want to be intimate with, but don’t compromise your health for a fun night.
If you are looking for more information about how to protect yourself from various STDs, visit www.cdc.gov, they have a lot of information and helpful tips about how to avoid catching these diseases.