When you are sexually
active, you are not only at risk for pregnancy, but you are also at risk for
getting an STI/STD every time you have sex.
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 are equally, if not more,
worrisome. You are at risk for pregnancy if you have sex around ovulation
(about 3 days a month), but you are at risk for getting an STI every time you
have unprotected sex.
Sex and Dating
There are many pros and cons to dating, and it all depends
on how you approach your relationships. If you feel that you are not ready or
interested in having a committed relationship, you may want to postpone dating
until you feel that you are ready.
The decision to have sex is a very important one, and there
are lots of things to think about. Sexual relationships affect your physical,
emotional, and spiritual well-being. Whether you are considering sexual
activity, or you have already had sex, there are risks for pregnancy and STIs
even when using birth control or condoms.
The Basics
There are now more than a dozen STIs (Sexually Transmitted
Infections), several of which are chronic, life-long infections. In the United
States, it is estimated that there are 19 million new infections reported each
year - over half of these occurring in young people ages 15-24. Presently, over
70 million people in the U.S. are infected or have been infected with an STI or
STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease).
STIs & 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 is important to remember that not
all infected people will have signs or symptoms. The problem is that some of
these STDs can cause a lot 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.
STDs & STIs:
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.
Please visit our website to learn more: http://www.optionsforwomennewyork.com/sexual-health
Contact Us Today for a
free and confidential appointment. We're here to serve you.
The Care Center,
Inc.
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway
Suite 15
Islandia, NY 11749
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway
Suite 15
Islandia, NY 11749
# 631-630-9779
No comments:
Post a Comment