Sex Ed 101

When's the last time we heard a good old "practice safe sex" song? "Let's Talk About Sex" by Salt-N-Pepa (if you don't know them I really feel old) is the only one that comes to mind. This song was popular in the 90's when America was trying to censor sex in the media. Talking about sex shouldn't be taboo especially now where you see the media constantly selling sex (I'm talking about you pop singing sensations).

This post isn't your mother's "birds and the bees" talk about sex. This is about facts and not feelings.


More than ever it is encouraged for parents to teach their children about safe sex and that "sex" also means oral sex and sexual play such as petting or use of sex toys. Basically it's a situation where the exchange of bodily fluids - pre-cum, semen, vaginal fluid, blood - can happen.

As a mother you feel like protecting your children from all sorts of harm, especially lasting harm. I hope that this post helps inform you about the new dangers out there and their staggering statistics. First we have to get the lingo down. It is more proper to use the acronym STI (sexually transmitted infections) over STD. This is because a lot of the coined "diseases" are actually infections, meaning they don't cause symptoms. (Aside: It's supposedly also less damning socially to speak aloud than the dreaded "STD" term but I think once people start using STI, nobody will really care about the difference.)

Let's talk numbers.

19 million
In 2010, the CDC reported that STDs are the most critical health problem we face today. There are 19 million new infections in the U.S. annually.

24,000
Did you know that an untreated infection could lead to female infertility? 24,000 women annually become infertile due to untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia. Women are 2.5 times more likely to get chlamydia than men and is seen to be most prevalent in the 15-24 age range.

45% over 45
You are never too old to catch something new. Within an 8-year period, surveys are showing a 45% increase of genital warts and 19% increase in genital herpes in adults over 45 years of age. Many theorize that the rise of online dating is to blame. They had initially thought that a computer-mediated relationship would make intimacy take longer and instead it's had quite the opposite effect. The physical distancing has actually made some increase their sexual risk-taking.

If you are under 18, you don't need your parents' permission to get tested for STI/STDs. You can go to a Planned Parenthood center which treats males and females. To get tested you need to ask to be tested. There are different tests for different infections but a physical exam and blood test can spot most of them. Your conversation with your doctor about any symptoms, what you use for protection, etc. can help determine which tests you should get.

Obviously you just need one encounter to get exposed to an infection but the key thing about practicing safe sex is who your partner is. If they love and respect you outside the bedroom, they will love and respect you inside the bedroom. And if you are still unsure, get tested together. If you are ready to bump bods, you are ready to take measures to protect yourself. Read more on healthy relationships here. Stay safe.