Research
STI Facts
There are 27 different STIs with various types of each. 1
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the most common STI (instances) in the United States. 2
1 in 4 people under the age of 25 will be infected with anSTI. 3
Less than half of high school students are sexually active. 4
You can potentially get syphilis, herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia and possibly HIV through oral sex. 5
You can even get some of the most common STIs from genital touching. 6
Condoms only significantly reduce your risk from some of the STIs. But for condoms to be effective they have to be used 100% of the time and 100% correctly. 7
Human Papilloma Virus/ Genital Warts
About 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. About 14 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is so common that most sexually-active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. 8
Certain HPV strains can cause painless warts on the genital area.
High-risk HPV types are detected in almost all cervical cancers; approximately 70% of cervical cancers worldwide are due to types 16 and 18.
Studies have shown that more than 90% of new HPV infections, including those with high-risk types, clear or become undetectable within two years, and clearance usually occurs in the first 6 months after infection.
Two HPV vaccines are licensed in the US: a quadrivalent vaccine (HPV4; Gardasil, Merck and Co, Inc.) and a bivalent vaccine (HPV2; Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline).
HPV is highly contagious and is spread by SEXUAL CONTACT (vaginal/oral/anal sex and genital touching). 9
Herpes Simplex II
About 1in 6 people aged 14 to 49 years have genital herpes. 10
Herpes symptoms can include (but not limited to) painful blisters on the genital area.
Oral herpes can be spread to the genital area and visa versa.
Herpes can be spread even when there are no symptoms present.
There is NO cure for herpes. Once infected, people remain infected for life.
Herpes is highly contagious and is spread by SEXUAL CONTACT. (vaginal/oral/anal sex and genital touching) 11
Syphilis
Syphilis is divided into stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary), with different signs and symptoms associated with each stage.
Syphilis symptoms can include (but not limited to) a skin rash, sore throat, headache and fever.
Untreated syphilis (tertiary stage) can damage major body organs.
Syphilis can be cured with the right antibiotics from your health care provider. However, treatment might not undo any damage that the infection has already done.
Syphilis is spread by SEXUAL CONTACT. (vaginal /oral/ anal sex and genital touching) 12
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STI.
Almost two-thirds of new chlamydia infections occur among youth aged 15-24 years.
Chlamydia symptoms can include (but not limited to) genital discharge or burning sensation when urinating.
Untreated chlamydia can turn into PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), which in some cases can lead to infertility.
Chlamydia is spread through SEXUAL ACTIVITY. (penis/vaginal/oral/anal sex) 13
Gonorrhea
Teenagers have one of the highest reported rates of infection.
Most people infected with gonorrhea have no symptoms but when symptoms are present can include (but not limited to):
Men - When present, signs and symptoms of urethral infection in men include dysuria or a white, yellow, or green urethral discharge that usually appears one to fourteen days after infection 5. In cases where urethral infection is complicated by epididymitis, men with gonorrhea may also complain of testicular or scrotal pain.
Women - Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often so mild and nonspecific that they are mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The initial symptoms and signs in women include dysuria, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms.
There are some long term affects for those who are untreated:
Women - PID which can also lead to infertility
Both - Can spread to the blood or joints which can be life threatening. 14
Gonorrhea is spread by SEXUAL ACTIVITY (vaginal/oral/anal sex)
Gonorrhea is treatable however, Neisseria (N.) gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that cause the STD gonorrhea, has developed resistance to nearly all of the antibiotics used for gonorrhea treatment. 15
HIV
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) leads to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
HIV is treatable but not curable and will eventually lead to AIDS. 16
HIV is transmitted by:
Having anal, vaginal or oral sex with someone infected with HIV.
Sharing needles and syringes for drug or steroid use.
A fetus being exposed during birthing process or breastfeeding. 17
Over a million Americans are living with HIV today. 18
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a viral STI that affects the liver. 19
It is transmitted through blood and body fluids by:
Bacterial Vaginosis
A condition in women where there is an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina.
Any woman can get BV even those who have never had sex. But there are some risk factors:
Having multiple sex partners
Douching
Symptoms can include (but not limited to) a vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor.
BV is treatable with doctor prescribed antibiotics. 22
Trichomoniasis
This is the most common curable STI in young sexually active women.
Trichomaniasis is a parasite that is transmitted through sexual activity.
There are generally few symptoms but possible symptoms can include (but not limited to):
Men - irritation inside the penis, mild discharge, or burning while urinating.
Women - frothy yellow/green discharge, discomfort during intercourse and irritation of the genital area.
Trichomoniasis can be treated with medication (either metronidazole or tinidazole). 23
Pregnancy Facts
"Roughly" 1 in 4 teen age girl will get pregnant at least once before the age of 20. 24
When looking at women overall, not just teens, nearly half (45%) of all pregnancies are described by women themselves as unplanned. 25
A girl can get pregnant the very first time she has sex. 26
Condoms can reduce pregnancy by 85% IF used correctly 100% of the time.
About 15% of women will get pregnant each year when condoms are used. 27
Only about 13% of teen girls actually used condoms 100% of the time. 28
Thus, condoms are definitely a BETTER choice if someone is going to be sexually active but it is not the BEST choice. Only abstinence is 100% effective 100% of the time!
Approximately 100 million sperm are released at ejaculation and it only takes 1 sperm to cause pregnancy!
Hormonal birth control is approximately 91%-99% effective against pregnancy ONLY if used properly. 29
There is NO protection against STIs when birth control other than condoms are used.
One active hormone pill is taken at the same time every day. 30
Most teen girls on birth control do not take it consistently which can actually INCREASE your chances of becoming pregnant.
All forms of hormonal birth control do not offer ANY protection against STI's.
Some medicines can interfere with birth control pills. 31
If anyone you know thinks they may be pregnant, contact
Real Options for FREE and CONFIDENTIAL pregnancy testing and peer counseling on all your pregnancy options. 972.424.4351
Paternal laws
(According to Texas law only)
The definition of a "biological father" is the man whose sperm brings the baby into being.
In order to have rights as a father you must sign the Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) form. It is free, easy and can be done at the birth of the child.
If a man does not sign the AOP (and is not court ordered), he is not financially responsible for the child but also has NO rights of visitation or the way in which the child will be raised.
If a man refuses to sign the AOP the mother can file a petition through the court for a DNA test. If the results come back positive, then that man is required to pay child support and has all legal rights for visitation and participation in their child's life.
You can sign the AOP or be assigned child support through the court even if you are a minor.
A woman can legally file for paternity up until the child turns 18 years of age. 32
If you do not have a court ordered child support any/all financial support given to the mother could be perceived as a gift, thus you may be required to pay back child support if she chooses to file with the court in the future.
Generally when paternity is established and child support is issued, a man could be required to pay back child support for the months/years that he missed plus interest. 33
It is not your decision IF you will pay court ordered child support. If you are employed your "wages will be garnished" which means your child support will be taken out BEFORE you receive your paycheck.
Pregnancy is NOT just about paying money it is about being a good father.
Q & A’s
Q: Can a girl get pregnant the first time she has sex?
A: ABSOLUTELY! As long as a girl is ovulating and sperm is able to get to the egg, pregnancy is a possibility.
Q: Can a girl get pregnant BEFORE her first period?
A: Actually she can. Let me explain...a girl will ovulate BEFORE she has her first period. If the released egg is not fertilized then her menstrual flow begins. Thus, technically if she has sex AFTER she has ovulated but BEFORE her first period starts, then she can get pregnant. 34
Q: If someone washes after sex can you prevent STIs or pregnancy?
A: NO. No matter how well you wash or douche it will not reduce your chances of catching an STD or becoming pregnant. (And please note that you should NEVER wash your genitals with any other substance other than a gentle soap and water unless directed by a doctor.)
Q: Can antibiotics interfere with birth control?
A: YES. There's only one known antibiotic that can interfere with hormonal birth controls. Thus if you are put on this antibiotic most likely you will want to use another form of birth control such as condoms if you are married or abstinence if you are single. (Unless otherwise directed by your doctor) Also, please remember that birth control does NOT reduce your risk for STI's at all. 35
Q: Can you get an STI from a toilet seat?
A: Highly unlikely, "the toilet seat is not a common vehicle for transmitting infections to humans. Many disease-causing organisms can survive for only a short time on the surface of the seat, and for an infection to occur, the germs would have to be transferred from the toilet seat to your urethral or genital tract, or through a cut or sore on the buttocks or thighs, which is possible but very unlikely." 36
Q: Do sperm die when they are exposed to the air?
A: NO. Sperm is dead once it dries and it won't come back to life if dried sperm is remoistened. But sperm can survive much longer than that inside a woman's body. Sperm can live in the vagina or uterus for 3 to 5 days. 37
Q: If you wear two condoms, do I get double the protection?
A: NO! In fact if you wear two condoms, friction is created which can rip and tear the latex and when a condom leaks or tears there is ABSOLUTELY no protection from STIs and pregnancy.
Q: Does the "pull out method" prevent pregnancy and STIs?
A: First we have to define "pull out method" which is when a man pulls out his penis from the vagina before he ejaculates. And to answer the question...NO! This method does not work because almost every man has pre-ejaculate or "pre-cum" (which contains sperm) on the tip of his penis before he ejaculates therefore he is still able to get a girl pregnant or give/receive an STD. 38
Q: Can you get pregnant from having anal sex?
A: YES. I know that sounds absurd but technically you can get pregnant that way. How? Well, the vaginal opening and the anus are only centimeters apart therefore if any semen leaks from the anus into the vagina, a girl could get pregnant.
Q: Can you get pregnant while on your period?
A: YES. Although the chances are low, if you have irregular periods or your cycles are short, then it is possible. And many teenagers do not have regular periods so the chances increase for them. Also, sperm can live in the female body for up to a week. 39
Q: What is the difference between STD and STI?
A: Not much when most people use these terms. STD stands for "sexually transmitted diseases" and STI stands for "sexually transmitted infections". The main difference is that STD medically means there is some sort of damage in the body yet not all STIs do that thus they came up with a more fitting name. But most people use the terms interchangeably. 40
Q:What does “consistent” condom use mean?
A: Use a new condom 100% of the time with every act of vaginal, anal and oral sex throughout the entire sex act (from start to finish). 41
Q: Do sexually active teens wish they had waited?
A: Yes, many who have had sex wish they had waited. 42
Q: Is EVERYONE having sex?
A: NO! Less than half of 15 to 19 year olds are sexually active so there may be a lot of talk but not everyone is actually making those choices. 43 Over half of high school students, that were surveyed, indicated that they had never had sex. 44
Q: How many guys actually get girls pregnant?
A: An estimated nine percent — or 900,000 — of young men between the ages of 12 and 16 will become fathers before their 20th birthday, based on a survey conducted in 2012. 45
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For questions or additional statistical information, please contact Brett Case.