The Importance Of Health Screening

Early detection of conditions and diseases can often mean the difference between a cure and a devastating diagnosis. When it comes to sexual health, there are several conditions that can have grave consequences if left undetected and untreated. Fortunately, there are simple tests that can help detect these conditions early and improve the patient’s outcome.

Cancer experts agree that the sooner the diagnosis is made, the higher the survival rate. Breast, cervical and uterine cancers can often be detected through relatively simple tests and screenings such as breast exams, mammograms and pap smears. These tests are widely available and can help detect changes that might indicate cancer. When these cancers are treated before they have a chance to spread through the body, the patient has a much higher chance of survival.

An age-old sexually transmitted disease, Gonorrhea can also have devastating effects if left untreated for long periods of time. Because this disease was rarely seen for decades, it is making a comeback due to people’s lack of awareness and failure to test for it regularly. When caught early it is easy to treat with a few rounds of antibiotics. If left untreated, it can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, male and female infertility, blindness and can eventually lead to death. The longer it remains in the body, the harder it is to treat and the greater the chance of serious complications.

Some strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) cause genital warts that can become cancerous. The warts themselves are easily treated, and can be biopsied to see if they indicate cancerous changes. Not only can they be discovered during a basic pelvic exam, but there is also a vaccine available that can prevent infection from HPV.

Regular health screening from a gynecologist or other women’s health care provider can identify these conditions, and hopefully can eliminate the tragic consequences of leaving these serious medical issues untreated.

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The Importance of Teen Abstinence

Craig pressures Lucy to have sexual intercours...
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The meaning of teen abstinence consists of not taking part in sex play beyond light kissing or hugging, or in sexual intercourse. This means they are not to touch the genitals of another person or any part of the other person’s body. With abstinence, a teen does not give up their sexuality, but it is actually a responsible and healthy way of handling it. In cases where a teen has already engaged in sexual activity, they still can make the choice to practice abstinence.

With abstinence, the teen has a guarantee that they will avoid pregnancy; abstinence also has health, emotional and social benefits.

Today, more than 50% of teens are choosing abstinence as a way of life. More the 73% believe that being abstinent is not embarrassing, and 58% said they believe they should no be engaging in sexual intercourse. Most of the teens that have engaged in sexual activity have stated that they wish they had waited. The following are some reasons that teens have chosen abstinence.

  • They wait until they feel they are ready to deal with the physical and emotional parts of a sexual relationship.
  • They want to avoid STDs.
  • They want to wait until they find the right person.
  • They do not want to become parents.
  • They would rather pursue other interests such as academics and sports.
  • Their parents encourage abstinence and they have good communication with them.

Many teens are aware that abstinence may be challenging, but well worth it. Some teens are even finding that it is possible to engage in non-sexual parts of romance with an individual such as going on dates, sharing interests, and talking. Many of these teens oftentimes stay clear of other bad habits such as alcohol because they realize the harmful effects of it and that they may need places like Rehab-International.org for help in the end.

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Using Effective Birth Control

Anyone who uses any form of birth control or are interested in finding a good birth control needs to understand how they work and how they’re likely to work with your body in preventing pregnancy. Birth control methods are meant to stop the sperm from joining with the female’s egg and creating a pregnancy. This can be achieved in several ways including the use of:

- Birth control pills
Probably the most commonly used form of avoiding pregnancy because it is easy, convenient and flexible for most women to use. Taking a pill a day for 20-24 days out of the month is what many women prefer to do and not be bothered with other ways.

- Condoms
Condoms are good for preventing the flow of sperm to unite with the woman’s egg, but they are also great for protecting the person against certain sexually-transmitted diseases. Although they are not fail-proof for pregnancy, they do offer good protection.

- The Withdrawal Method
Very common but also very ineffective since the procedure is not guaranteed. The presence of sperm is in drops of semen that are excreted during sex and has the potential to unite with the egg, even before ejaculation. Pregnancy can and often does occur with this procedure, which is why it is not a suggested remedy for helping to avoid a pregnancy.

Some of these methods will work, and some of them will not. Choosing to use any of these forms of birth controls is a matter of preference. Many people will decide to test them or use several methods at once for more effectiveness and to ensure that there are no slip-ups. With whatever method is chosen, the main thing is to be sure that it is right for the person, their lifestyle and that they fully understand how each method works and the mechanics of each style.

Filed Under: Pregnancy, Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: , , ,

Help Is Out There

It is ironic really, that a civilization as advanced and cultured as ours still hides from the subject of sexual health and birth control. Our children are becoming sexually active at a younger age and more and more are facing adult issues before they are truly ready to. Finding resources to assist with education and options is critical.

Planned Parenthood is just such an organization. It offers its clients information, assistance and the tools they need to practice safe sex. The organization does, in fact, offer help and assistance to its clients, but still, at least to some extent, it is still at the center of a great deal of controversy. There are organizations that oppose it and believe that the information and help it gives out is wrong.

Still, the rising rate of STD’s and teenage pregnancy tell us that something may be done. Planned Parenthood offers safe advice to its clients. Whether a teenager is interested in birth control options or an unwed mother needs help exploring their options, having a resource such as this available is an important part of any community.

Perhaps parents or schools should be the primary resource for sexual health information. Unfortunately, this doesn’t often happen. In a world where birth control is almost fool proof and scientific research has explained how each STD is transmitted and how to prevent it, there simply isn’t a reason to have rising unplanned pregnancies and higher than ever STD rates.

Until such time that these issues are handled completely by parents or schools for ALL children, Planned Parenthood is necessary. Some may view it as a necessary evil, but it is necessary. Your local Planned Parenthood office offers all the resources that are needed to practice safe sex including information on sexually transmitted diseases and even birth control.

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Schools and Sex Education

Educating youngsters on the subject of sex and the topics that surround it can be a challenge for many adults. They may feel awkward to talk with such a sensitive top as sex with pre-pubescet or young adults. It is something that is important and needs to be discussed, but doing do so in an easy manner may not be something that is doable.

Many schools have sex education classes that they use to introduce children to the subject of sex education. Some of the classes and subjects are very thorough and exhaustive in their teachings. They talk about everything from the sexual reproductive system, sexually transmitted diseases and even topics on dealing with sex in social situations.

Some parents like the idea of scold interacting with their children and teaching them such an awkward subject. The parent can act as a support to what the school has already taught, and may choose to simply clarify something from a class or to further answer questions that couldn’t be answered in the classroom.

If parents choose to help the schools while they teach the kids about sex, they should check with the school on the proposed sex education curriculum and talk to the teacher who will be the instructor on the subject. Ask the teacher about their own benchmark goals for the class and their approach on how the subject will be handled. This is a great time to also voice concerns on certain topics that you do NOT want discussed in front of your child. They may ask you to sign a permission slip either way, but it’s primarily to give the children credit for the class instructional time. It also gives them a form of written permission on what to expose to and limit the children from on the subject of sex.

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Life, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: , ,

The Planned Parenthood Debate

Anyway you look at it, in spite of the massive amount of controversy that surrounds Planned Parenthood there is no denying that it makes a huge difference in the lives of many teenagers. It has become, in many cases, a safe haven for sexually active teenagers that are faced with an issue which make them feel helpless. Teenagers that feel they are utterly alone can turn to the organization for help with pregnancy, birth control and STD’s. Teenagers have access to education and guidance from trained professionals instead of their friends or peers.

Many parents are staunchly against their teenagers using the services offered by Planned Parenthood or similiar organizations. These parents believe that the organization focuses too much on safe sex and not enough on the concept of abstinence. It is often these same parents who discuss abstinence with their children without offering them information on the different forms of birth control or how to protect themselves from diseases.

Strangely enough, many of the teenagers who have used the services of a local Planned Parenthood say they felt more comfortable and were more open with their counselor than they could have been with a parent. The ability to freely ask questions and discuss options can be invaluable as teenagers learn to understand sexuality and safety.

The system has been so successful at lowering the number of teenage pregnancies that many schools are actually incorporating Planned Parenthood in one way or another. Some use their resources during sex ed classes while others allow Planned Parenthood staff members on campus to consul students.

For those that object to Planned Parenthood, you are right: abstinence is ideal. Sadly statistics show more teenagers than ever are sexually active. Our duties as parents and educators is to give our students all the information they need to practice safe sex.

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The Dangers of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Being sexually active exposes a person to risks involved with having a sexual lifestyle. Pregnancies, infections and diseases contracted through having sex are some of the risks that are taken. When a person contracts a sexually transmitted disease, they can alter the quality of their life, routine and perhaps have to even change their lifestyle to accommodate dealing with their new health status.

Although sexually transmitted diseases are difficult to deal with, they are not to be taken as a life sentence for the person who suffers from them. The diagnosis does not have to become a permanent part of their lives, but can be managed well enough so that they can lead a degree of normalcy everyday.

There are things that a person can do however to avoid contracting a sexually transmitted disease and altering their quality of life and their everyday routine. Some things include:

- Managing the number of sexual partners that they have. Be selective in the choices of sexual partners. Don’t have random sex with multiple partners. Know your partners.

- Always use protection of some kind during sex, preferably condoms. They are very effective in helping to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancies.

- Always visit the doctor for scheduled check-ups and routine bloodwork. Know your body and what’s going on with it by asking questions and staying abreast of any changes and developments.

- Inquire of your sexual partners about their past sexual history and any other partners that they may have been with. Inquire about any past illnesses or sexually-related infections or other diseases. Ask and expect honesty, but also keep yourself protected as well.

You can enjoy a sexually-fulfilling lifestyle void of diseases by being proactive and knowledgeable on the subject. By taking good care of yourself both physically and mentally, you will certainly appreciate it in the long run.

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Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Life, Sexual Problem Tagged With: , ,

5 Myths About Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (known also as STD’s) can occur without between partners at any time, and some may even manifest without symptoms. Since they are transmitted through sexual, physical contact, there can also be an occurence of sexually transmitted infections that occur but present with symptoms that differ slightly from STD’s.

Unfortunately, sexually transmitted diseases are often misunderstood in the ways that they’re transmitted, which can cause them to be further spread. Some erroneous information about STD’s include:

- Transmission only occurs through genital sex. This is incorrect since sexual diseases and infections can be transferred through oral and anal sex as well. This also includes tranmission through bodily fluids like saliva (kissing).

- Condoms help prevent STD’s. This is true but only if the condoms are used correctly to prevent breakage or slippage. Since condoms are also used as a method of birth control, they are also thought to help prevent sexual diseases as well. In both instances however, they must be properly used to avoid any mishaps from occuring.

- STD’s are not painful and no symptoms will occur. This is untrue because there are multiple symptoms that can occur with sexual diseases. If a person has had exposure to any sexual diseases through their partners, they should be examined by a physician immediately.

Reportedly, there are approximately 15 million cases of diseases that are transmitted sexually, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirm that these statistical cases occur in the United States. HIV is the most commonly transmitted sexual disease that is reported with others that also occur but less frequently including syphillis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes and bacterial vaginosis.

Individuals who are at a high risk for acquiring a sexually transmitted disease include adolescents and young adults, which are often those who are sexually inexperienced.

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Life, Sexual Problem Tagged With: , ,

Taking Care of Yourself and Being Mindful of Your Sexual Health

Taking care of yourself takes on a lot of guises and is not just about your fitness and nutrition. Being mindful of your sexual health is an important way to take care of yourself and to take care of your community as a whole. Taking care to plan your family and to prevent disease when possible is part of being a responsible member of the community. There are numerous other ways to take care of yourself as well, and whether it’s taking the time to find discount car insurance or making sure that your level of debt isn’t too high, it’s important for everyone to remember that they are important and they are a part of the world as whole.

There are many ways that people can help others to remember how important they are as well, Advocating safe sexual practices is a useful way to keep these issues in the public consciousness, in addition to making an impact in a much more personal way. Talk to the people you know about safe sex and about protecting their own health, safety and well being. If you find that someone around you is in suffering from a high load of stress, take the time to talk to that person about self care. Turning to risky sexual practices is one cry for attention that can have long term consequences for more than just the person in pain. It can be devastating for entire families.

Family planning is another way to get involved on a local and personal level. Taking the time to plan your reproductive future is one of the best things you can do for your family and for your community. To truly take care of yourself, you need to have the confidence and self love to have a plan and to stay with it.

Filed Under: Advice, Contraception, Parenthood Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

How to Practice Safe Sex

Sexuality and gender identity-based cultures
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Practicing safe sex is very important for young people who are just starting to experiment with sex, or for anyone who inexperienced or has multiple partners. Many sexual diseases and infections can be avoided if individuals learn to practice safe sex and develop habits that will help them make good choices.

Developing safe sex habits can be achieved in several ways, depending on the person’s lifestyle and exposure to outside factors. For instance, knowing what kinds of habits can cause a sexually transmitted disease can help a person tremendously when they’re faced with making a decision to become sexually active. Other safe sex practices can include:

- Never have unprotected sex. Use a condom each time you have a sexual encounter and decrease your chances of becoming infected with a disease or illness.

- Continually educate yourself on sex education issues and related topics. Staying ahead on what’s going on in medical developments in sexual health will help you make good, informed choices.

- Seek counseling or medical intervention if you need to. Don’t wait until there’s an issue before you seek outside advice. Be proactive in your sexual medical health by getting regular checkups and asking questions about any sexually-related issues that concern you.

- Before engaging in sex with a partner, find out more about their prior sex life by asking questions and communicating. Although it may feel or seem awkward at first, it’s better to do that than it would be to encounter a problem later.

Many potential problems can be avoided by individuals when they adopt safe sex practices. It’s not a one-time task, but it is something that should be a big part of the person’s life. By taking the time to adopt safe sex practices, they are creating lifestyle that will be more healthier and satisfying to them in their future.

Filed Under: Contraception, Sexual Life Tagged With: , ,
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