I find it interesting where the discussion of safe sex goes. Most wrap it up conversations refer to condom use and does not necessarily discuss the types of birth control that women may need to take to prevent pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases or other diseases that affect the reproductive organs of women or are carried by men to women. We limit our conversations to condoms and birth control but we do not stress their importance, impact, or influence of the confusing information associated with safe sex precautions.
If you google, search specific internet sites or read any case studies, the information is daunting. A young lady or a young man seeking to find information on safe sex would find the information conflicting and confusing. Yes, we know the birth control methods for males and females reduce pregnancy, or the chances of contracting or spreading sexually transmitted diseases. However, you have sources of information that give numbers in the 80% range up to 99%. In addition, somehow, people wonder why so many people prefer to use no contraception and take undue risks.
If you say up to 20% of women can get pregnant even with birth control medicine, but it is 92% effective to use a particular type of birth control, then what message are you sending. If you have a person allergic to a specific type of condom, and the couple chooses a different brand, but the risks increase, then what choice do you have? Safe sex turns into abstinence and pregnancy and disease continues to be a huge part of the lives of teenagers and adults of every age.
The information should be concise and practical. Be honest. Give people the truth without dancing around the real answer. If we want to reduce unexpected pregnancy, prevent getting or giving sexually transmitted diseases, or putting a woman's reproductive organs at risk for HPV, ovarian and cervical cancer, then we need to revisit the available information and how it is understood.
We are ever learning and finding new ways to provide people with the most effective and available information. This is important to our health as a country and all of us as individuals.
