The Truth about STDs and STIs in Suwanee, GA
May the odds be ever in your favor.
Even if you have only a basic familiarity with the Hunger Games, you are probably still able to recite what is arguably its most famous line – “May the odds be ever in your favor.” If you have sex outside of one permanent monogamous partner (and monogamy does not mean one person at a time), who has only been with you, the odds are NOT in your favor. Even serial monogamy – having sex with only one partner at a time but having multiple partners over time – is risky. The numbers are such that odds are, there will be a cost associated with having multiple sexual partners over time…odds NOT in your favor.
What is the cost, and is that cost worth paying?
The risk of contracting an STI is directly related to the number of sexual partners you have had and increases based on your partners’ number of partners. According to the Center for Disease Control, 2018 set an unprecedented record for new STI infections – 26 million. About half of that number occurred among people between the ages of 15- 24. Statistically, it is almost impossible not to have exposure to infection unless sex occurs between two virgins. So, the question to ask becomes not am I infected, but what am I infected with?
What’s the truth?
The only way to avoid STDs is to NOT have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If you don’t feel that this is an option for you, you can tip the odds of NOT getting an STI/STD in your favor by knowing the TRUTH.
False: Condoms make sex safe:
True: Condoms ARE NOT safe sex.
A condom’s ability to prevent disease varies by disease or infection. There is more to consider than just the failure rate of the condom. The effectiveness of condoms depends on three things: the type of STI/STD, how the STI/STD is contracted, and correct and consistent use of the condom. When it comes to preventing chlamydia and gonorrhea, studies have shown that condoms have a 50 – 60% failure rate. Condoms provide almost no protective benefit for the skin-to-skin transmission of viruses such as HPV, genital warts, or Herpes. Even in instances where condoms offer some degree of protection, they have to be used consistently and correctly every single time. Did you know a 13-step instruction manual for using a condom starts with asking your partner about every sexual encounter they have had before you?
False: Hormonal Birth Control PREVENTS STI/STD
True: Use of hormonal birth control may actually increase the risk of contracting STIs and STDs.
The hormones used in birth control change the surface of the cervix and vaginal wall, making women more physically susceptible to becoming infected if they are exposed to an STI. What is worse is that STIs left undiagnosed or untreated can, in some cases, lead to cancer or permanent sterilization. Additionally, people who get syphilis, gonorrhea, and Herpes often also have HIV or are more likely to get HIV in the future.
What do you do?
In keeping with the Hunger Games theme, we might be wise to heed the words of Finnick Odair from Mockingjay Part 1 when he advised Katniss that “it takes ten times longer to put yourself back together than it does to fall apart.” In other words, preventing an STD may be much easier than dealing with the aftermath of contracting one. Sexual freedom is delightful until it isn’t. Once you’ve acquired an STI/STD, it just may lead to a myriad of other issues. The only 100% certain way to avoid STDs is to NOT have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If this is an option you would like to explore further, Obria Medical Clinics near Suwanee, GA offer Optimal Health Services through life coaching by trained and certified coaches. If you are concerned that you might have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease, our clinic provides STI testing and treatment.
The Obria team will work to help you attack the obstacles you face and welcomes the opportunity to serve you. Optimal Health. For All,” and that includes you.
For more information about life coaching or any of our Optimal Health services, visit Obria Medical Clinics in Lawrenceville or call or text 770 338 1680.