One in two sexually active young people will get an STI by the age of 25.

When this statistic is combined with the fact that STIs are most common in people ages 15-24, the risk becomes relevant.

These statistics and more are available from MTV’s It’s Your (Sex) Life campaign, which highlights the importance of “Getting Yourself Tested.” Representatives from Oakland University’s Graham Health Center agree.

The first steps to maintain a healthy sex life are knowing how to stay protected and recognize any warning signs.

Protecting yourself

Beside abstinence, Nancy Jansen, director of Graham Health Center, said male condoms are the best way to reduce the risk of infection.

“Always, always, always wear a condom,” she said. “It’s best to limit your partners over a lifetime.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, condoms provide effective protection against even small STI pathogens. They are particularly effective against infections transmitted by genital fluids such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and HIV.

Condoms may be less effective against infections that can be transmitted through skin to skin contact, such as human papilloma virus, genital herpes or syphilis, according to the CDC.

Melissa Reznar, a visiting assistant professor in OU’s health sciences department, said the failure rate of condoms in protecting against STIs is only 2 percent if used correctly.

“People need to be careful and know how to use them correctly because the failure rate can reach up to 15 percent if they are not used properly,” Reznar said.

Common reasons for condom failure include ripping/tearing and the condom not being taken off properly.

 

Getting tested

Because many of the infections are asymptomatic, someone can be a carrier without even knowing. Jansen recommended those who are sexually active get tested once a year.

“You need to get tested on a regular basis,” she said. “Depending on how many different partners you’ve had, that type of thing would determine the frequency.”

Graham Health Center offers a full range of STI testing, including testing for HIV, that may or may not be covered by insurance depending on the provider and insurance plan.

These tests include urine and blood testing, and results are often available within a few days of being tested.

Without insurance coverage, these tests would regularly cost $50 plus a $45 office visit at GHC.

“At Graham, we try to be thorough with students and friendly and have timely visits as well,” Jensen said.

 

Other forms of protection

The Gardasil vaccine, which is administered in a series of three injections during a six-month period, was originally recommended for women ages 11-26 to protect against HPV. It is now approved for men up to age 22 as well.

Vaccination prevents the male’s partner from getting HPV, which can cause cervical cancer in females.

In men, HPV can cause genital warts and potentially lead to penile, anal and throat cancers.

Jansen said students should contact their insurance company to see if the vaccination is covered. The drug manufacturer does have a program to provide free vaccinations for those who qualify.

 

Other risk factors

Reznar teaches a Community and Public Health course at OU and has dealt with HIV prevention in a previous job.

According to the CDC, African-Americans are at increased risk for HIV, and males partnered with the same sex are at an increased risk for several STIs including HIV.

Reznar said this is due to the nature of the intercourse.

“Just by nature of the tissues that are involved, transmission from males to males is easier,” she said. “With anal sex, you’ve got more potential for ripping of tissues and more exchange of bodily fluids that can occur.”

Although treatments for HIV have improved, Reznar said this is still a serious diagnosis and should be treated as such.

“Some of the treatments today are better, but it’s not a perfect world,” she said. “You do have to take medications on a regular basis and there are still side effects associated with them.”

 

Importance of open dialogue

Students’ parents may be able to see reports of STI testing depending on the insurance plan. Because of this, Jansen stressed the importance of an open dialogue.

Reznar agreed and said there’s no reason not to talk openly about sexual issues.

“In the U. S., we just seem to have this puritanical idea about sex and sex being private and not wanting to talk about it with other people, which sets the stage for higher rates of STDs,” she said. “You’ve got to be able to talk about it and let your kids know how to talk about it so that they can prevent disease in themselves.”

 

Some common STI symptoms in both men and women:

-Painful urination

-Discharge from penis/vagina

-Bumps/sores on genitalia

-Vaginal soreness or itching

 

Curable STIs:

-Chlamydia: antibiotics

-Trichomoniasis: antibiotics

-Syphilis: antibiotics (if caught early)

-Gonorrhea: antibiotics

 

Treatable but incurable STIs:

-HPV

-Herpes

-HIV

-Hepatitis B (this may go away on its own, can be treated in its chronic form)

-Hepatitis C (acute form may run its course, chronic form can lead to liver damage and is treated with medication)