In recent years there’s been a lot of talk about “safe sex”: safe from infection, disease, and pregnancy. So how can we be safe? We’re told by some that condoms are the answer for the protection we need.
But what’s the bottom line? It’s not called “Safe Sex” any more – now it’s “Safer Sex”.
The fact is that condoms don’t make us as safe as we once thought. When condoms are used “consistently and correctly 100% of the time,” transmission of gonorrhea and chlamydia (two common STDs) is only reduced by about 50%. Genital herpes transmission is reduced by about 40%, and HIV transmission is reduced by about 85%.
Do you feel “safe” with a 15% failure rate and a deadly STD? With one slip or one broken condom, your rate of protection is gone!
So what’s the answer if you really want to be safe?
If you’ve already been sexually active, consider coming in to one of our five locations to be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Testing is important because many people infected with these two bacterial diseases don’t have visible symptoms, but the disease may be causing lasting damage to their bodies. While you are there being tested, you can meet with one of our nurses to talk about “safest sex”!
You have great plans for your life that don’t include an STD. Call us at 973-840-8924 or text 973-840-8924 to schedule an appt.
Debby Wolff, RN, First Choice Women’s Resource Centers Jersey City, Montclair, Morristown, Newark and Plainfield, NJ
Sources: http://americanpregnancy.org/preventing-pregnancy/male-condom/
http://www.cdc.gov/condomeffectiveness/docs/Condoms_and_STDS.pdf
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If you think you could be pregnant, please come in for a pregnancy test and to receive information about your options. All of our services are free of charge.
Pregnancy tests are the only service that can be scheduled online. STD screens and ultrasounds must be scheduled via phone or text.