Safe Sex News & Views

Facts of life about alcohol and sex

Hmmm, as if we didnt know this already but it seems that alcohol and sex do not mix.

A study by the Family Planning Association found that almost a third of young women complained of “unwilling” participation in sex because of alcohol.

And a third of teenage girls seeking emergency contraception reported that they were drunk when they had had unsafe, and sometimes unwanted, sex.

To read more about the results from this survey click on the link above.

Don't Leave Home Until You're Well Packed

Family Planning and Positive Woman are encouraging people traveling overseas to make sure they are well packed with condoms and lubricant.

The two groups have joined together to educate people to carry condoms and lubricant with them overseas. Even if sex wasn't intended, unplanned sex can often take place overseas.

Jane Bruning, Co-ordinator of Positve Womans said

The fact is that the most common way of getting HIV is through sex, and condoms are still the best protection against HIV and most Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

STIs are common around the world and it’s not possible to tell if someone is infected – many people don’t even know themselves as some STIs can be present with no symptoms, Ms Bruning said. There are concerning increases in STIs in New Zealanders returning from popular holiday destinations, including the Pacific Islands.

More women than men having unprotected sex

Just how many people are having unprotected sex?

The Durex global sex survey found that over half of females aged 16 to 20 had had unprotected sex. This statistic revealed that in New Zealand, more woman than men were having or have had unprotected sex.

A stuff.co.nz article reported

Family Planning is working with Durex to highlight the role of condoms in helping to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDs and unwanted pregnancies.

Wearing a condom is very important as further data out shows that our levels of STI are still growing.

Don't trust a lemon to do a condom's job

"One teaspoon of lemon juice on a saturated cotton ball could be all that is required to prevent pregnancy and HIV, a recent Women's Health Action quarterly newsletter said. "

Doctors however are not recommending that people trade in condoms for this natural contraception.

Stuff.co.nz reported that The Family Planning Association agreed with doctors and did not recommend lemons, although they did confirm that a lemon is a known contraceptive.

HIV cases reach record level in New Zealand

A study from Otago University found that HIV in New Zealand is on the rise. In 2005, 183 cases of HIV were reported, up from 157 in 2004.

The study also found tat just under half of these cases were men, who had sex with another man.

An article in 999today.com reported on comments about the topic by the Ministry's public health advisor, Dr Douglas Lush.

Dr Douglas Lush, says there is no cure for HIV and AIDS but it is preventable.

Safe sex and in particular using condoms is still the best form of protection against HIV, he noted.

"Both men and women need to take responsibility for protecting themselves and their sexual partner against infection," Dr Lush said.

Maori teenager health survey shows condom use at 82%

A recent study has revealed that 82% of sexually active Maori are using condoms. The study was conducted by the Adolescent Health Research Group and will help to shake the negative stereotyping of young Maori sexual behavior.

Kids learn about STD's when they are getting diagnosed with them

A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University has revealed that teens do not know a lot about STD's. AIDS is the STD that teens knew most about, and while this is important it if far more likely that a sexually active teen will contract a more common STD. Those that knew about STD's like chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, genital warts, hepatitis B, trichomoniasis and syphilis gained there knowledge about them while they were being diagnosed with the STD. News-medical.net published an article with some of the studies findings;

The study's findings are troubling because teenagers who know little about STDs are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior and to delay the treatment of STDs. And the consequences are severe. Genital herpes, for example, cannot be cured. Genital warts can render a woman more susceptible to cervical cancer, and chlamydia can lead to infertility.

Condom clears man with HIV

New Zealand Courts ruled that a man who was HIV positive did not have to tell his partner of this news because he used a condom and had protected sex. This action has been hailed as a win for safe sex.

The Aids Foundation and a support group for HIV-positive people, Body Positive, were please with the outcome and said;

it provided a clear distinction in law between protected and unprotected sex.

This is the first ruling on an issue like this in New Zealand, which will now become a guide for issues like this in the future.

US experts weigh guidelines for impotence drug use

Experts in the USA are researching the effects of erectile dysfunction medicines for the fear they increase the chance of HIV infections.

The article in Alertnet.org said that results were not conclusive and called for further study to be done.

Research may suggest a role, but more studies are needed on how the drugs affect transmission of the virus and whether they encourage risky sexual behavior, a group of physicians, drug company representatives and patient advocates said at a government-sponsored conference near Washington.

Guidelines for the use of there types of drugs are expected to be released in 6 weeks time.

Condoms and Ball Tickets - Reaction surprises FPA

In an attempt to promote safe sex, an Auckland secondary school has come up with the initiative to give out condoms with their school ball tickets.

The safer sex health promotion strategy has sparked some debate in the community, and Executive Director, Dr Gill Greer from the Family planning Association thinks that this has created the perfect "opportunity for all New Zealand parents and young people to talk together about sex, sexual feelings and the need to respect themselves and each other."

Unsafe condoms may be in NZ

Cheap condoms without proper testing may be imported into new zealand and repacked.

A recent artlice posted in gaynz points out;

A shipment intercepted in Auckland and destined for a Christchurch address contained packaging indicating 'condoms for recreational use'. However, the package contained no condoms, merely packets and lubricant. “It seems that the condoms have been sent separately and have not had any quality assessment. They must therefore be considered unsafe,” says Canterbury’s Medical Officer of Health Dr Mel Brieseman.

I guess the caution is to be wary of unbranded condoms selling very cheap. A site like the community auction sites may be a site that could see someone selling these.

Sexual disease second only to flu

Although safe sex campaigns claim to be working, the numbers speak for themselves.

Chlamydia is now New Zealand's second most common infectious disease behind the flu, a recent report reveals.

A recent report done in Christchurch revealed that those who were sexually active were more concerned about getting pregnant than picking up an STI. Approximately half of those surveyed were sexually active, however of those only 44% used condoms on a regular basis.

Condoms are the most effective method of preventing STIs and need to be used. Woman and Men need to insist on using condoms when having sex and make sure they have a good supply of them to reduce the chance of being caught out.

No Rubba, no Hubba Safer Sex Campaign Stretched

No rubba rubba, no hubba hubba. Get your rubba rubba from www.rubber.co.nz!

The recent safe sex campaign struck a cord with young adults in New Zealand, and the success of this has prompted the ministry of health to run the TV ads again.

The no rubba rubba ads ran on TV for 3 months over summer, and are set to run again over the next 6 weeks.

By Encouraging teenagers to use a condom when they have sex the campaign hopes to reduce high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The campaign spokes person Sally Hughes said, "I have had young people tell me that the campaign slogan has come in very handy for discussing safer sex. It gives them a less embarrassing way of talking about condoms."

Of those who were surveyed about the campaign, near all were aware of the campaign and half of those surveyed said they were more likely to use a condom if they had sex.

The picture above was taken from the campaigns website at www.hubba.co.nz

Older adults shy away from safe sex advice

Attention has been focused on the rise of STIs in teenagers, but with a high rate of partner separation, and more single middle aged people the risk is high for older adults too.

Due to post-menopausal woman, pregnancy is not an issue for many older adults and so often men do not use condoms. Even though pregnancy may not be an issue, STI's are still high risk in older adults.

STD Symptom Guide

New Zealand has a rate of sexually transmitted infections that is almost at epidemic proportions in some cities. If a condom is used while having sex most are preventable. If you happen to catch one and you know about it most are treatable.

It is possible to already be carrying infections without knowing it. If you are having sex with an infected person and haven’t always used a condom then this is possible.

The more people you have sex with, the greater the risk.

Unsafe sex excuses bullshit

New Zealand new HIV infections in are at record levels, anything that weakens peoples resolve to have safe sex is dangerous.

The AIDS Foundation said 'It’s time to fight back against “bullshit” excuses for not using condoms for sex'

They have just launched a new campaign in New Zealand to help raise awareness again.

Full Article - Scoop.co.nz

‘if you are going to have sex, use a condom’.

New Zealand’s rising chlamydia rates have prompted health professionals to urge teenagers who are sexually active to use condoms while having sex for protection.

Reports carried out for the Ministry of Health show that chlamydia rates in some areas of New Zealand are four times higher than those reported in the United Kingdom and six times higher than those in Australia.

Risky sexual practice can have a high price tag. Left untreated Chlamydia can cause a long list of problems with problems in conceiving topping off the list.