Show Holiday of Love Needs Safe Sex C l J Q e Valentines Valentine's alentine Day is quickly ly approaching and love is in the air Valentines Valentine's Day symbolizes the expression of love and affection How one expresses his or her love and affection is also termed sexuality Sexuality is a difficult and embarrassing embarrassing embarrassing embar embar- rassing topic for many people It involves sexual attitudes b behavior havior practices and activity Its It's definition includes sexual thoughts experiences experiences experiences and values Feelings about ones one's sexuality influence ones one's feelings feelings feelings feel feel- ings about relationships The World Health Organization lists three key elements of sexual health 1 A capacity to enjoy and control sexual behavior in accordance ro personal and social ethics 2 Fn Fit Fit- dom from fear shame guilt false beliefs and other psychological factors factors factors fac fac- fac- fac tors that inhibits sexual response and impairs sexual relationships 3 Freedom Freedom Freedom Free Free- dom from diseases that interfere with sexual and reproductive functions The first and second element are dealt with more on a personal or psychological psychological psychological psycho psycho- logical level so lets let's talk about the third element freedom from diseases that interfere with sexual and reproductive reproductive reproductive functions That is a broad topic There are many diseases such as high blood pressure for instance that can interfere with sexual tion ion taking high blood pressure medications medications med med- can cause men to be impo impo- tent I want to talk specifically about sexually transmitted diseases A STD is any disease that is spread by sexual practices between sexual partners This is not just intercourse intercourse inter inter- course having sex but also rubbing sexual organs against each other fellatio oral stimulation of the penis cunnilingus oral stimulation of the clitoris and anal sex are a leading American health problem problem problem lem it may be second in frequency of communicable diseases any disease you can catch from someone else only to the common cold Some of ih fhe ilie for the high rate of of t. t 1 The age of first sexual activity has declined The rates range from 24 to 68 having intercourse by bythe bythe bythe the age 15 depending on gender More than 3 million teenagers are affected by each year 2 The number of sexual partners has increased 3 The most common method of birth control has changed from condoms to birth control pills Other factors are also responsible forthe for forthe forthe the high incidence such as lack of knowledge or irresponsibility need to be treated by a doctor or nurse practitioner they do not go away All partners need to treated if only one person is treated the others may infect that person again This article is too short to go into detail about all of the sexually transmitted transmitted transmitted trans trans- diseases The big ones out there today are 1 in 1998 there were nearly 2000 cases reported to the Utah Department of Health 2 Gonorrhea there were over cases reported And 3 Hepatitis B with just less than cases reported Hepatitis B like AIDS can ean be transmitted not only by sex but anytime one comes into contact contact contact con con- tact with another's blood or body flu flu- ids I do not have current statistics on AIDS in Utah but it is a growing concern How can one protect themselves The best way abstinence The second second sec see ond best way use a condom every time you have sex It is s important to practice safe sex it does not interfere with sexuality yet not practicing safe sex could If you have any concerns about sex sexuality or and/or safe sex practices or if you want to be tested for contact the Heath Center at Condoms are given out free at the Health Center to anyone who says they are 18 years old or older Stop by before Valentines Valentine's Valentines Valentine's Valentines Valentine's Valen Valen- tines tine's Day and give your you sweetheart a d i o Po safe sex |