STIs Are More Common Than You Think: How to Protect Yourself and Your Partners
I hate to burst your middle and high school sex ed bubble, but STIs are going to happen. Yes, even if you do everything “right.” So what can we do to reduce the likelihood of transmission?
In 2018, the @cdcgov reported that chlamydia, trichomoniasis, genital herpes, and HPV accounted for 98% of all prevalent STIs. Prevalent = estimated number of new or existing infections in a given period.
In the same year, the CDC reported that these same infections accounted for 93% of all new STIs (diagnosed or undiagnosed).
If you haven’t already, it’s more than likely that you will encounter someone with an STI. Maybe that person is you! This doesn’t mean that those who have STIs are “bad,” it’s just a part of being a human. Sometimes, we get infections. So how do we reduce the potential for transmission when it comes to STIs?
1. Before you can talk about STIs with your partners, you need to know your status. Get tested and ask your provider what STIs are included on the panel.
2. Talk to your partner(s) about their status and ways to reduce transmission.
3. Frame sexual health and STI testing as self-care to friends (and yourself!)
4. Interrupt and challenge stigma if you hear it. Seek educational resources to recommend and learn from.
While we cannot 100% prevent STIs from happening, we can leverage education and action in our sexual health to reduce the potential for transmission.