
All About Condoms
Currently, condoms are the only widely available, proven method for reducing transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during sex. Condoms work.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just released the 2023 Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Surveillance report and for the first time in a long time the data is encouraging. There were fewer STIs reported in the United States last year than the year before; gonorrhea rates fell, chlamydia rates remained stable, and syphilis rates leveled off with only a 1% increase.
This is encouraging and suggests that our public health response to STIs—including new prevention methods and increased testing and treatment—are working. The report, however, is not all good news. Reportable STIs are still 90% higher than 20 years ago, and congenital syphilis is still 7 times higher than a decade ago. Severe disparities also remain with certain groups and geographic areas continuing to be disproportionately affected by the STI epidemic.
These disparities are not about personal behavior. Instead, they stem from societal factors like poverty, stigma, racism, lack of health insurance, and lack of access to quality health care. Until we address the root causes of health disparities, these communities will continue to have higher prevalence of STIs and worse outcomes.
The data suggest that we are on the right track. Increased testing (including the availability of at-home testing), and the introduction of doxy PEP (the use of doxycycline to prevent bacterial STIs) seem to be helping curb the epidemic.
But we can’t stop here, we need to increase prevention, testing, and treatment efforts for everyone. We also need to increase access to prenatal care and syphilis testing during pregnancy to prevent the devastating impact of congenital syphilis on families and communities.
Now is the time to invest in our public health system, increase our workforce, and make STI services more accessible in all communities.
Currently, condoms are the only widely available, proven method for reducing transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during sex. Condoms work.
Anal sex may have once been thought of more taboo than other sexual behaviors, but today we know it’s a perfectly normal way to find sexual pleasure.
It’s time to celebrate the start of summer! June is filled with national observances to help you start the summer off right. We’re here to help make June the start of a #safesexysummer.
There’s potential good news in gonorrhea prevention as a series of studies suggests that certain meningococcal B (MenB) vaccines can reduce the risk of gonorrhea.
The FDA just approved the Teal Wand, a self-collection device for HPV testing that does not require a speculum exam or even a trip to the doctor’s office. People can collect their own sample at home and send it to a lab for analysis.
The results of large-scale study of HPV suggest that one shot of the vaccine may be enough to protect young people from HPV and related issues like cervical cancer.
Many people who take doxy PEP say it gives them peace of mind in their relationships and sex life. We sat down with Oscar Alexis, Efthimios, and Maxfield Haynes to talk about doxy PEP and get their perspective.
About 1.6 million cases of chlamydia and 600,000 cases of gonorrhea are diagnosed in the United Sates each year. A new study suggests that these patients may not be following through with STI treatment or getting the right antibiotics.
ASHA believes that all people have the right to the information and services that will help them to have optimum sexual health. We envision a time when stigma is no longer associated with sexual health and our nation is united in its belief that sexuality is a normal, healthy, and positive aspect of human life.
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