Oh dear.
As if we don't encourage practicing safe sex enough, the latest stats on STI's to come from Cenuswide and
Medicine Direct are pretty shocking.
According to their latest research, a shocking 47 percent of Irish people have never had an STI check despite being sexually active.
And what's even more shocking is a further 31 percent do not believe they're at risk from STI's.
This study looked at 500 Irish people and their sex lives, noting the lack of knowledge when it comes to STI information, with only 51 percent of those surveyed noting they'd be confident in recognising symptoms. This is shocking given that 39 percent of the same group surveyed admitted to not practicing safe sex.
It's very possible that the person you're sleeping with, or a previous partner of theirs might fall into the percentage of people who've never got checked and so, if you're sexually active, it's important to use a condom and get regular checkups. 1 in 6 people prefer to not tell their partners about their sexual history, making it even more important to keep on top of your own sexual health.
A further 1 in 7 Irish people said they don't feel comfortable talking to their doctors about their sexual health but as STI's are unfortunately a common thing, especially among Gen Z and millennials, it's important to note the signs.
So what are some things I should look out for?
Women
Unusual discharge
Lumps or skin growths
Blisters or sores
No symptoms
Pain when peeing
Rashes or itchiness
Unusual vaginal bleeding
And when it comes to men?
What symptoms should I look out for?
Lumps or skin growths
No symptoms
Blisters or sores
Pain when peeing
Rashes or itchiness
Unusual discharge
If you've never been for an STI check before, fear not. GPs carry out STI checks on hundreds of people every single day and there's nothing they haven't seen before. Worrying about your sexual health is not something to feel ashamed about and getting checked will not only give you peace of mind, but it'll also show you just how quick and efficient it is, breaking any taboo that you might have heard.
STI checks are there for your sexual health and no matter how long it has been (if ever) since your last checkup, if you're sexually active it's important to make sure everything is in working order for your benefit and your partners.
You can find a list of free STI clinics
here.
