As the CDC latest’s report (2015-16) on STD indicated ever rise in the case, it has also pointed out to a particular age group with higher STD rates. Teen STD statistics indicates that more than 40% students between the ages of 15 and 19 has reported to have contracted with the sexual transmitted diseases. One in five men and women will become infected with genital herpes by the time they reach adulthood. Thus STD statistics 2015 indicating chlamydia, genital herpes and gonorrhea to be the most common STDs among teenagers.
The report states that the rate of contraction is high among the college students and that with students contracting them at double than the rate of any other age group.
So, there are various reasons for this much of rise, knowing the reason may ultimately leads us to the solution, of the problem.
Following are some of the possible reasons for the rise in STD cases among teenagers:
1.Multiple Sexual Partners : Casual relationship, hookups, no strings attached, one night stand are the things which can lead to have multiple sexual partners during teen age.
2.Declining use of condoms : It is estimated that 4 out 10 teenager uses condom, that means more than half of the teenager with active sexual life are vulnerable to sexual transmitted diseases.Use condoms, dental dams and rubber gloves to prevent the transmission of STDs through skin-to-skin contact.
3.Increase in use of Dating apps for casual sex : This may sound like an acid aunt complaining about her nephews. But the casual dating apps, website only meant for hookups are the reason why the teenagers has multiple sexual partner triggering the root cause of common STD.
4.Lack of communication: As the seriousness in relationships are dwindling and being replaced by casualness, the past mistakes may ruin the present without proper communication. Talking to your partner about your sexual histories and ask that both of you be tested to be sure you’re STD and STI free. Communicate with your partner about their sexual history and get tested regularly.
5. Poor sexual education : So it can’t be blamed on students when the sexual education set up for instance in many states sexual education is not LGBT inclusive, a major loophole in the sexual education system.
6. Myths : Marred by myths our teenagers are putting their and their partner’s life in danger. Some of the popular teenage myths are as follows
- Taking birth control will prevent pregnancy, but it does not protect you from STDs
- You can’t get STDs from just kissing.(Herpes does spreads through skin contact)
7.Use drugs and alcohol at high rates : This is obvious, as it adds to the risk, behaviors while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is more compared to when in sober state.
Add one more teen stat : By twelfth grade, 65% of high school students will have engaged in sexual intercourse, and one in five sexually active teens will have had four or more sexual partners. Imagine the kind of risk
Preventive measures for Teens to protect against unwanted pregnancy and STD
As a Sexually active teenagers, it is important to think about safety first to avoid getting contracted by STD as there are many incurable and life threatening STDs like HIV etc. So being aware about prevention of STDs plays a key-role here. Following are the methods of preventing STD in sexually active teenager.
1.) Use of Condoms : Very common and easy method to prevent yourself STD is the use of condoms. They are available in various types, but even the common “over the counter” type condom like the latex condom are 70 to 90 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and the transmission of STDs. Even though it is not a full proof method, it does provide protection to an extent.
2.) Secondary virginity : Abstinence from sex may be very difficult in teen. Practicing Secondary virginity is a decision to abstain from sexual activity, starting with today and continuing until the day you get married or get in a serious committed, thus limiting the multiple partner thing.
3.) Mutual Monogamy : Being loyal to your partner and thus sharing sexual activity to only one person hold the key to healthy sexual life.
4.) Consult your healthcare provider : It may help you to know about various preventive measures including the vaccination for some types of STDs like Hepatitis B and HPV etc. Get yourself tested for sexual transmitted diseases every 3 to 6 months. It is the best practice for an individual with active sex life as some STDs doesn’t show signs or symptoms and may have incubation period so a test may also not indicate anything even if an individual is contracted with an STD.