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Emergency Contraception
(Morning After Pill or MAP)
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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to be a major health threat in
the United States. CDC estimates that 19 million STD infections occur annually,
almost half of them among youth ages 15 to 24. Currently there are more than 65
million people living with an incurable STD. In addition to potentially severe
health consequences, STDs pose a tremendous economic burden, with direct medical
costs as high as $15.5 billion in a single year.
A brief history of STDs (also called STIs)
Pre 1960's: Syphilis and Gonorrhea were the only major STDs 1976: Chlamydia
first recognized 1981: AIDS identified 1982: Herpes became very prevalent 1992:
PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease recognized 1996: HPV or Human Papilloma Virus
recognized as the cause of 90% of all cervical cancer, and is the reason for
yearly PAP smears. 1980-present: 8 NEW diseases identified including HIV
* It is important to note that this is not just a case of medical science
diagnosing what has existed all along. These are NEW diseases, caused by sexual
activity with multiple partners. Viruses continue to mutate and multiply, all
the while becoming more resistant to treatment.
- 1 in 5 Americans has been infected with an STD
(American Social Health Association).
- Approximately 2/3 of all people who acquire STDs
are under 25 (American Social Health Association).
- There are presently more than 25 significant STDs (Center
for Disease Control).
- The fastest growing population contracting AIDS is
women. In 1985, 7% of AIDS cases reported were women. That percentage
increased to 14% in 1992, and to 23% in 1999 (AIDS.ORG).
- Sexually active adolescent girls have the highest
risk of cervical infections because the delicate tissue that
surrounds a young woman's cervix is not fully formed until she is 18 years
old. It is, therefore, very vulnerable to blood borne infections
(Alan Gutmacher Institute, 1994).
- PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is the most
rapidly increasing cause of infertility in the United States.
Researchers have estimated that a sexually active 15-year-old has a 1 in 8
chance of developing PID. By the age of 24, the probability decreases to 1
in 80 (The Medical Institute)
- 800,000 to 900,000 Americans are living with HIV,
with 1/3 of them unaware that they are even infected.
- In 1999, reports indicated that strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) were present in 99% of samples tested for cervical
cancer.
- It is estimated that 75% of sexually active
Americans are or have previously been infected with HPV
(The Medical Institute).
While
almost all STDs can be treated to relieve pain or minimize symptoms,
there is no cure for viral STDs, including
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Herpes.
STD Prevention
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Twenty-five percent of Americans are infected with a sexually
transmitted disease and 8000 adolescents contract an STD each
day. Therefore, preventing their spread is critical. True
prevention of sexually transmitted diseases involves not
participating in activities that can result in exposure.
Abstinence from oral, anal, and vaginal sex and intimate sexual
contact prevents STDs. Condoms may reduce the risk of
infection in some cases but cannot be considered totally safe.
Condoms must be used consistently and correctly every time to
protect against infection. In reality "safe sex" does not exist outside of a
committed, monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner,
preferably marriage. (www.4parents.gov) |
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