Sexual Health

• More than 19 million Americans are infected with STD's each year. It is estimated that nearly 20% of Americans have an STD.
  
• 1 in 4 people have genital herpes.
  
• HPV, Human Papilloma Virus (genital warts) is the most common STD in the U.S. and more than 5 million people are infected with HPV each year. HPV is the leading cause of Cervical Cancer in women.
  
• 90% of the world’s population over the age of 12 has Type 1 Herpes, the type of Herpes that presents itself in the form of a common cold sore on the lip. Type 1 Herpes can be spread to the genitalia via oral sex.
  
• Some STDs have no symptoms for many years and some will never have symptoms but can still be passed on to other sexual partners. The recipients may experience symptoms and even more serious consequences of STDs such as cancer.
  
• Since the HIV epidemic began, worldwide an estimated 21.8 million people have died of AIDS (17.5 million adults and 4.3 million children under 15).

Click here to see more data on the STD epidemic.

• Chlamydia – Symptoms include pain, redness and itchiness around the vagina, a yellow and odorless discharge, pain during sex, and pain and frequency during urination for women. Men may have pain or burning when urinating, and a watery, milky-colored discharge from the penis.
  
• Gonorrhea - Women may have a white, green or yellow discharge, painful urination, spotting between periods and sometimes fever and abdominal pain. Men may have a thick yellow discharge, painful urination and the opening of the penis may be sore.
  
• Syphilis - A painless red sore will appear where contact was made during intercourse. A few months later, a fever, sore throat, headaches and joint pain may occur.
  
• Herpes - A tingling and itching around the genitals. Small painful blisters may form in the area.
  
• Papillomavirus (condylomas) causes growths (called condylomas or genital warts) and it is the most common STD in the U.S. The virus is usually spread by direct contact with a wart from an infected person, however, men can carry the Papillomavirus without experiencing any symptoms at all. Genital warts can appear alone or in clusters in, on and around the genitals and anus. Growths inside the genital organs are soft and red or pink. Genital warts usually appear one to three months after contact, but some go undetected until they cause discomfort. Papillomavirus has a known link to Cervical Cancer in women.

Condoms and oral birth control do not protect against all Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Some are spread by skin-to-skin contact in areas not covered by a condom. If you’ve had oral sex, the germ that causes the STD can be carried in your mouth. Additionally, condoms can fail (break) and this contact can cause the spread of STDs.

Oral contraception has its own health risks, in addition to not adequately preventing STDs.
Click here for links to studies showing the health risks of oral contraception

The only sure way to be protected from STDs is to abstain from sexual activity. That means not having vaginal, anal, or oral sex or touching another person’s genital areas. Additionally, if you have sex with only your spouse, you will drastically decrease your chances of getting or spreading STDs.

In general, the failure rates of contraception tend to be underestimated by the media. For a chart of the failure rates of common contraception methods, click here.

A Pregnancy Resource Center staff member can help you assess your sexual lifestyle and give advice as to how to protect yourself best.

Find your closest Pregnancy Resource Center [Here].