Kaipara Medical Centre

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Let's Talk About Sex

"SHOULD I OR SHOULDN'T I?"

It's no easy question for a young person. On one hand, sex seems to be no big deal in the 21st Century. On the other hand, there may be doubts about whether this is the right person or the right time. As if sex itself isn't complicated enough, it carries with it enormous risks such as unwanted pregnancy or potentially deadly infectious disease.

The bald truth is young Aucklanders are facing an epidemic of prenancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). (See Teenagers and Sex: The Facts)

"No-one likes to think that young people are at risk of a teenage pregnancy or sezually ransmitted infection, but the reality is we have an epidemic on our hands," says Auckland ProCare GP Dr David de Lacey. "People ages under 25 account for 60 to 70 percent of all sezual infections."

Dr de Lacey says one of the best approaches to help is to address the underlying causes of behaviour which lead young people to take risks.

"While there is no such thing as 100% 'safe sex', there are a whole range of measures young people can take to look after themselves, based on what they know, their own sense of self-esteem, values and conscience," he explains. "One strategy is for parents to help then establish sound values and encourage them to respect their own bodies, to improve their self-esteem and to act responsibly in the way they select their partners."

Young people also need to know that they should always use a condom every time they have sex, and that they can go to a ProCare GP for free STI checks or treatment if anything goes wrong.

The idea that young people learn all they need fromtheir peers or the media turns out to be a myth. A recent survey of 2000 young people found that the vast majority want to hear about sex, intimacy and relationships from their parents. The survey, conducted by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy in the United States, found that parents have an "incredibly important role" when it comes to decisions their children make about sex.

Another excellent source of information and advice for young people who are sexually active or considering become sexually active is the ProCare U22 programme, which provides free sexual health care to people aged under 22, says Dr de Lacey.

"The programme is run by ProCare general practitioners right across Auckland and while it doesn;t encourage sexual activity in young people, it can help protect the present and future health of those who have become sexually active."

The U22 programme provides young people with:

  • education about the risks
  • appropriate contraception
  • promotion of safer sex through the use of condoms every time
  • encouraging STD checks whenever an "at risk" situation has occured
  • appropriate treatment of diagnosed infections

TEENAGERS AND SEX: THE FACTS

  • 50 percent of young people are sexually active at age 16
  • In the first six months of 2001 a total of 511 unmarried auckland teenagers became mothers. In 1999 the youngest mother was 11 years old
  • In the year to August 2000, 1093 women aged under 19 had abortions
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in young people have reached epidemic proportions. Over the last three years there has been a 40% increase in chlmydia and 170% increase in gonorrhoea
  • The symptoms of these infections are often not obvious so young people may be unaware they are infected and unknowingly passing it on to others
  • All STIs carry a potentially serious healath risk. Left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, premature labour and even infertility in females, while in males they can cause painful swollen testes and gonorrhoea can cause infertility. Certain types of warts are linkd with cervical cancer and having any STD increased the chances of aquiring HIV.

ARE YOU REALLY READY TO HAVE SEX?

Only you can decide if, when, how and with whom you have sex, based on your background experience, current situation, values and conscience, but...

  • Don't be pressured by individuals or a group to act against your better judgement
  • Feel confident about saying "no". There are lots of young people who don;t want to have sex yet.
  • Don't just let things happen - stay in control
  • Be wary of letting alcohol or drugs cloud your judgement
  • always use a condom until you are in a trusting, long term relationship
  • If female, use reliable contraception as well as condoms
  • Be especially careful of being unprepared and having no protection 'the first time'.

BEING PREPARED FOR SEX

Casual or unprotected sex is extremely dangerous for your health. So what can you do if you want to have sex with someone you know and trust and want to make it safer?

  • Make sure you have appropriate contraception and always use a concom. Even this does not provide 100% protection so choose your partner carefully.
  • If you don't have contraception, and you don't have a condom, don;t do it. It's not worth the risk.
  • Keep using condoms at least three months into a long-term relationship, even when the female partner is on the pill. If you want to stop using condoms, you both need a medical exam first to check for possible infections because sometimes the symptoms are not obvious. You also need to be sure that neither partner is having sex with anyone else.
  • If you are not in a steady relationship and are sexually active, always use a condom to provide contraception and help prevent the spread of infectious sexual diseases
  • If you change partners, it's a good idea for both of you to have a sexual health check before you have sex together, in case one of you is carrying an infection.

DID YOU KNOW?

When you are under 22 it doesn't cost anything to visit a ProCare doctor to talk about sex and sexual health concerns.

You can access confidential and frank advice as well as contraception and treatment. You can arrange a free consultation with any participating ProCare GP just by asking for a U22 appointment. Ph 0800 PROCARE (0800 776 227) of check www.u22.co.nz to find your nearest ProCare doctor.

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