Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Happy STD Awareness Month!

It recently (i.e. 5 minutes ago) came to my attention that April is STD Awareness Month!

I know, you're as excited as I am. It's pretty intense.

While we're on the subject... let's talk about STD testing. Back in March, MSNBC reported that AT LEAST 1 out of every 4 girls between the ages 14 and 19 have/have had an STD. This, my friends, is a huge huge deal.

As a sexually active person, it is your duty to yourself and to your partner(s) to be healthy and responsible. If you have multiple partners, if you don't use condoms EVERY TIME, or you've been feeling a little weird *down there* then you should make it a point to be tested. It's quick, painless, and easy. No really, I promise. Most student health clinics will be happy to perform these tests for you, or you can go to any planned parenthood clinic. Check out the link on the right for locations and other information.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Introductions: Part 1

I think it's best to start by saying why I wanted to start a blog like this...

For years I've been fascinated by sexual education, and I've also been rather passionate about giving people all of the information they need to make healthy decisions. It's such an important part of human life, but many people don't have the access to information, or the desire to seek it out.

The DC community has the highest population of HIV positive people in the United States. If it were a country, it would be 11th in the world, right behind Rwanda. Add to that the new studies that show 1 out of every 4 young girls has an STD, and you'll quickly see the odds are not in your favor. This isn't just about doing what feels good. It is about taking care of your body and figuring out what will make you happy while keeping you healthy.

Just like everything in life, it's different for everyone. No one can tell you what will be best for you. However, we CAN help you make informed decisions. I'm not a doctor, I have no medical degree, but if you have a question I'll get an answer from someone that does.

And now, with the formalities out of the way, let's move on to the fun stuff!