How are you down there?

Why sexual health can no longer be a taboo topic

Sexual health - this term sounds unwieldy and somehow a bit bashful. A topic that people do not like to talk about: After all, this is about things like chlamydia, gonorrhea, condom yes or no. It is high time to promote education and prevention about STI.

What are STIs?

STI (sexually transmitted infections) is a collective term for sexually transmitted diseases and describes a group of infections that can be transmitted through sexual contact.There are many different types of STIs that are transmitted by viruses or bacteria. These include chlamydia, gonorrhea (clap) and syphilis.

The fact that sexual health has unfortunately not been a big issue in Germany can be seen from the study situation: The first nationwide scientific study on the subject of sexual health dates back to 2019 and is currently in the evaluation phase. The GeSiD study (Health and Sexuality in Germany) is carried out by the Institute for Sexual Research at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE).

Initial results show that less than half of people in a committed relationship talk to their partner about STIs before having sex.

How do I get infected with STI?

STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis are transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. According to a survey by Deutsches Ärzteblatt from 2017, people who have unprotected sex are particularly at risk – within or outside of a permanent partnership.

Enlightenment is a generational issue

Young people are less enlightened and less responsible? If you look at the first results of the study, this is not true: in the 18 to 25 age group, more than 40% of those questioned talk about STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Contraception is also a bigger issue for younger people.

According to the study, age has a clear influence on how well informed about sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Basically, the younger age groups (18 to 35 year olds) are much better informed than older people with regard to many STIs . In this way approx. 20% of 18 to 35 year olds spontaneously mention chlamydia, compared to only 3% of 66 to 75 year olds.

Talking about it - that's difficult for young and old people alike

While STI should be an important issue for sexually active men and women of all ages, one particular barrier seems to be present when consulting a doctor: only a minority of people have ever had chlamydia with a doctor about HIV/AIDS , gonoorhoea or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). That is at least one result of the GeSiD study. Here too, in addition to the generation gap, there is also a gender difference: Younger people and women talk to their doctor more often about STIs than older people and men.

How can I get tested for STI?

Testing for an STI can protect you and your loved ones from infection and complications. Check out here our CoviMedical Home tests and find out how you can test yourself for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases easily, safely and discreetly.

Sources: Info sheets GeSiD.pdf Study - GeSiD Edition_A (stiftung-gssg.org) Chlamydia - symptoms, course, diagnosis & treatment | roche.en