Condom Kingdom

It was reported that abortions in Victoria last year with young women had dramatically increased.  There were 209 abortions performed on girls under the age of 16.  Two 12 year old girls had terminations.  The biggest increase was amoung those aged 14.

3,350 females aged 20 or under sought terminations last year and although there maybe an increase with the young, State Government data shows 16,084 Victorian women had terminations in 2008/09 which shows an overall 12% decrease from 2005/06.

Some research shows that of the teens who are sexually active, a third had their first experience at age 14 years of younger.  But almost one in 10 say they have not been taught sex ed at school.

People are blaming poor sex education at schools.  Others are blaming the frequent teen sex scenes depicted on TV shows such as Home and Away.

A suggestion…. girls, always use a Condom!  Simple but effective.

I ‘m too scared and embarrassed to ask my Doctor to check for a Sexually transmitted Infection.

Firstly there is no need to be.  You will not be the first person who has asked the Doctor this question.  Catching a STI is no different to catching some other infection…  it happens.  It is called life!

But if you can not speak to your family doctor you should contact your local Family Planning Association.

They have access to FREE sexual health services for young people.  They can help you and especially people who can’t afford it or don’t have their own Medicare card.

If you are under the age of 16 you are entitled to confidential care.  Depending on individual circumstances discretion is offered from the age of 14.

Doctors are required to report STIs to the government, however your name will not be included.  You will only be a statistic, a number, you will remain anonymous so you have absolutely nothing to fear.

Visit Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia to find out more www.shfpa.org.au or Better Sex 4 Woman at meet-dr-Mia.html for great advice on all sexual matters.

Most people who are infected by Chlamydia show NO symptoms.  However, when you start showing symptoms they’re very painful.

Women may find an unusual vaginal discharge, burning when they pass urine, pain during sex, bleeding or spotting during periods or bleeding after sex, fever or pain in the lower abdomen.

Men may experience a painful or watery discharge, burning when they urinate, burning and itching around the hole of the penis or swelling of the testes.

Do you know how you can prevent this?  USE A CONDOM! So so easy.

However, if you do catch Chlamydia and if left untreated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can result in an ectopic pregnacy, premature birth, long-term pelvic pain and infertility in women.

Men can experience inflammation of the testicles and infertility.

An untreated STI may also increase your risk of contracting HIV.

YOU MUST STOP THE SPREAD OF CHLAMYDIA:

Even if you have no symptoms some Doctors recommend to get tested.  If you are sexually active or have multiple partners get a check up every three to six months.  It is easy and painless.  You will be asked to take a urine test or a swab of the vagina, cervix, anus or penis.  Treatment mostly is a one-dose course of antibiotics and a follow-up test.

Chlamydia is leading the surge in sexually transmissible infections (STI’s).  Chlamydia has grown from 14,082 cases in 1999 to 58,456 cases in 2008, but worse then this 80% of cases are in young people aged between 15 and 29.  Chlamydia is a bacterial infection of the reproductive organs that affects men and women and is spread by unprotected vaginal or anal sex.  It can also spread to the throat through oral intercourse.

The best way to prevent infection is through the USE OF CONDOMS!  Quite simple really.

However, a recent survey found that nearly 80% of sexually active women aged 16 to 25 have had unprotected sex and almost half of all sexually active year 12 students did NOT use a condom in their last encounter.

Stay tuned….. more on this important subject to come.