Condom Availability and STIs

    Condoms have not had any positive impact in reducing the rising incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Ireland or the rest of the western world.  In fact, it could be convincingly argued that condoms are at least partly responsible for promoting an increase in the number of STIs we see today.

    In 1993 the sale of condoms were deregulated, so they are now widely available in most Irish pubs, restaurants and shops. Despite this we have noticed an alarming increase in STIs in Ireland, coinciding with increased condom availability. If condoms were effective in reducing STIs we should have expected at least a halt in the increase, however the opposite has happened.

     

    Doctors talk to students about chastity

    Dr. Groovy explains how condom promotion in Africa facilitates the spread of HIV and AIDS

     

     

     

    SEXUAL EXPOSURE AND RISK OF STI

    If you have had sex with more than one person (or if your partner has) you are at risk of contracting an STI which may have devastating effects on your future fertility and health. This is more likely if you are under 25, regardless of whether or not you have used condoms.

    Know the FACTS! . courtesy of www.abstinence.net


    Fact: Sexual activity at an early age has multiple harmful consequences.

    The earlier a teenage girl begins sexual activity the more likely she is to suffer from increased rates of infection with sexually transmitted diseases, increased rates of out-of-wedlock pregnancy and birth, increased rates of single parenthood, decreased marital stability, increased maternal and child poverty, increased abortion, increased depression, and decreased adult happiness.



    Fact: Most sexually active teens say they wish they had waited until they were older before having sex.

    Nearly two thirds of sexually active teens state that they regret their initial sexual activity and wish they had waited until they were older before becoming sexually active.



    Fact: Sexually active teens are more likely to be depressed and to attempt suicide.
    Sexually active teens are less likely to be happy, more likely to be depressed, and more likely to attempt suicide. Teenage girls who are sexually active are three times more likely to be depressed and three times more likely to attempt suicide than girls who are not active. Teenage boys who are sexually active are more than twice as likely to be depressed and are almost ten times more likely to attempt suicide than boys who are not active.