Sexuality is part of our everyday life. What are you doing to educate yourself?

Of the more than 15 million new Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) in the
U.S. each year:

*two-thirds will occur in people under 25 years of age
*one in four will occur in teenagers

Every year, approximately 10 billion dollars is spent on major STIs, other than AIDS, and their complications. This cost is shared by all Americans.

Today there are more than 30 STIs and over 200 strains of human papilloma virus (HPV). A British study found that HPV infects 46% of teenage girls after their first sexual intercourse. HPV is directly linked to 99.7% of all cervical cancers. Nearly as many women die of cervical cancer each year as die of AIDS.

Herpes increased 500% in the past 20 years among Caucasian American teens. Nearly 50% of African-American teens have genital herpes.

Nearly 1 in 10 teen girls has Chlamydia; nearly half of all cases are girls 15-19 years old.

Over 80% of teens with STIs show no symptoms and therefore never get medical attention, leaving them exposed to the risk of serious complications years later.

In a national Kaiser Family Foundation survey, one out of every five sexually active teens reported that oral sex is safe sex. However, HIV, herpes, HPV, chancroid, intestinal parasites, gonorrhea, syphilis and hepatitis A & B can all be contracted through oral sex.

Condoms do not eliminate the risk of contracting an STI, they do little to prevent many viral infections spread by skin-to-skin contact, especially HPV and herpes.

New studies show that clinical depression in adolescents is related to sexual activity and drinking.

What are the benefits of abstinence?

If this is a question you're asking, here are a few things to think about. Abstinence is the ONLY 100% way to prevent pregnancy. Considering that 1 in 10 teenage girls become pregnant each year could make abstinence more desirable. Pregnancy cannot be ignored and whatever is done about it will have a permanent effect on the mother's life. The woman is usually left with the consequences and responsibilities. Think about your goals, plans, and dreams. How would caring for a child for the next 18 years fit into those plans? Abstinence also prevents sexually transmitted infections. In America today, 1 out of every 5 people are infected with a viral STI.

There are other issues that abstinence prevents besides the physical ones. Premarital sex provides NO ASSURANCE of security, love, or commitment from the other person. Many times it might be all of these that teenagers are looking for. A secure marriage can provide these. It will also assure you that this is the right person for more than just one night. Premarital sex can also bring future guilt and regret. Think about how hard it would be to tell your husband or wife that you had not saved your virginity until marriage when he had saved his virginity. Abstinence is not saying to give up sex forever, but to wait until marriage. Think about how much more enjoyable things are when you wait for them. You might think that you are O.K. if you are not having sexual intercourse. Remember that STIs do not only transfer through sexual intercourse.

Four Stages of Building Healthy Relationships

Stage One-Exploring Similarities
In this initial stage of the relationship, the man and woman focus upon their similarities and generally do not see imperfections in each other or potential areas of incompatibility.

Stage Two-Exploring Differences
In this stage, differences in interests, perceptions, and goals may arise. Also, it is a time when weaknesses in the other person become apparent. If positive steps are not taken to address and negotiate these issues, there is a good chance that the relationship will not advance to the next stage.

Stage Three-Dealing with Similarities and Differences
At this stage, the couple must engage in a serious assessment of their relationship to determine whether it should lead to marriage. A solid foundation for marriage requires that difficult issues be resolved before the marriage, not afterwards.

Stage Four-Life-long Commitment
Marriage requires a lifelong commitment. Without a high degree of commitment, the relationship cannot last.

RESOURCES:
* US Centers for Disease Control "Epidemic: Tracking the Hidden Epidemics: Trends in STDs in the United States 2000".
* US Centers for Disease Control "CDC Issues National Report Card on STDs: Gonorrhea and Syphilis Down, But Not Beaten: Chlamydia Continues to Spread Widely" 1998.
* National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, NIH, USHHS, "An Introduction to Sexually Transmitted Diseases" July 1999.
* NIAID & National Institutes of Health, Workshop Summary: Scientific Evidence on Condom Effectiveness for Sexually Transmitted Disease STI Prevention, 2001.
* The Medical Institute on Sexual Health, "Oral Sex and STDs" Fall 2003.
* UPMC News Bureau: "Magee-Women's Research Institute Study Finds Undiagnosed Sexually Transmitted Disease Infection Rate of Nearly 1 in 5 Among Adolescent Females"
June 7, 2001.
* The Medical Institute on Sexual Health, General Information, studies, statistics, more.
* US Centers for Disease Control, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Information.