Sexually transmitted infections affect millions of people worldwide. Studies have shown that the number of sexual partners a person has had, not the person's race, educational level, or socioeconomic status. The following illustrates the amazing prevalence of STIs.
- Globally there are an estimated 333 million new cases of curable STIs among adults each year.
- The United States has the highest rates of STIs in the industrialized world.
- An estimated 15.3 million new cases of STIs are reported in the United States annually.
- At least 25% of these occur among teenagers, and two-thirds among those younger that 25.
- By age 24, one in three sexually active men and women in the United States will have contracted an STI.
- At least one in four Americans will contract an STI at some point in their lives.
- A survey found that about one person in six has been diagnosed by a physician as having at least one STI, yet only 60% of doctors and 51% of other providers did not routinely evaluate their patients for STIs.
There are several factors that may contribute to the rising incidence of STIs. There is an increasing tendency for young adults to have multiple sexual partners and increased sexual activity among adolescents. The increased use of birth control pills rather than condoms or vaginal spermicides increases the risks of transmitting STIs. Even more alarming in this day and age is that many people remain uneducated or uninterested in the causes and consequences of STIs.
Unfortunately, women and teenagers may be at greatest risk for contracting a STI. The delicate lining and warm, moist environment of the vagina makes it twice as easy for a male to transmit a STI to a female than vice-versa. Anal sex also increases the receiver's risk for similar reasons: The anus' highly sensitive tissue may tear easily, creating opening large enough for infections to enter easily. Also, there is a higher incidence of STIs among younger women than older women: This is due to the fact that the opening of the cervix in adolescent girls and young women is surrounded by the ectropion, a rim of red tissue composed of immature cervical cells, that can be invaded easily by sexually transmitted viruses and bacteria. As women age the ectropion recedes into the cervical canal, women become less vulnerable to infection.
Sexually transmitted infections are a risk to the whole sexually active population, yet certain behaviors are classified as "high risk." These behaviors include: oral-genital sex without a condom or dental dam; semen in mouth; vaginal intercourse without a condom; anal intercourse without a condom; and other oral or manual contact with the anus.
There are several ways for people to reduce their risk of contracting an STI. First, abstaining from sex is the only sure way to be risk-free. Dry sex, where there is no exchange of bodily fluids reduces risk. Correct and consistent use of condoms decreases risks, but not to zero. Educate yourself about STIs, their symptoms and communicate with your partner about your past sexual histories. Being selective about your sexual activities will decrease your number of partners and your risk. Be assertive and honest with your partner about STI - you would want them to do the same with you. Avoiding alcohol and other substances that impair your judgment will help keep you out of - or help you be able to deal with - risky situations. If you are sexually active, you and your partner should receive regular check-ups, even if you are symptom-free.
© - Reproduced with permission of SexInfo, University of California at Santa Barbara, 2007.