June is not only fertility month: it is fertility care month. And that care, the prevention of infertility, must begin from adolescence. In the old days (and not so long ago), mothers and fathers avoided the usual talk with their children about sex. So, what was most worrying were unwanted pregnancies. Most of the time this conversation either did not take place or took so long that the young people already knew more than the parents themselves. Fortunately, this era has passed. Although talking about sex is no longer taboo for most adults, there is another important topic that is difficult to address and that is not usually talked about with children: sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which are growing steadily in Europe. since some years. These pathologies directly affect sexual and reproductive health, so they can lead to sterility.
Every day, more than a million people contract an STI. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, in 2020there were 374 million new infections of one of these four: chlamydiosis (129 million), gonorrhea (82 million), syphilis (7.1 million) and trichomoniasis (156 million). In Spain, according to data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE), in 2021 more than 43,000 episodes of these infections occurred (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and lymphogranuloma venereum). These diseases, which were practically eradicated, have returned with a vengeance. And also in adolescents. Thus, in young people aged 15 to 24 years, the percentage of cases reached 39.1% of all reported cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection; 23% of gonorrhea cases; 12% of those from syphilis and HIV infection, respectively; and 7.4% of those with lymphogranuloma.
The age at which sexual relations begin is increasingly lower. The Family and Community Nursing Association of Catalonia reported in 2021, through a statement, that the average age of the first sexual relationship with penetration in Spain is 13.8 years. However, the average age at which young people begin to have sex is influenced by different factors, such as their socioeconomic status, for example. At the same time, since at that age the adolescent will seek more autonomy and freedom, Sex will be used as a way of getting closer and they will have relationships with several people in the same period, often without knowing if these people already suffer from an STI. In most cases, relationships are unprotected, with the increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Therefore, this is one of the causes of the increase in this type of diseases.
To avoid these risks, the most important thing is information. Therefore, mothers and fathers should talk to their daughters and sons about risk behaviors and forms of protection, above all, about the use of condoms and how to use them. Even if the minor has not yet had sex (or at least that is what she tells her parents), it is necessary to talk to them.
All adolescents need to have correct information about how to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Just because parents talk openly with their children about sex and how to prevent these diseases does not mean that they are more likely to have sex. From the age of 12, young people understand explanations perfectly and are more likely to make correct and healthy decisions when they are older. In fact, sincere and anticipated communication will have more influence on children’s behavior than what they can learn from friends or through other means of communication such as social networks.
It is never too early to talk to our children about sex. The important thing is that it is done with sincerity, listening to what they have to say, without censoring and answering all their questions. It is not necessary to address everything in a single conversation either. And, if our teenage daughter or son already has a partner, it is best to explain to him that he has to talk to her about the prevention of these diseases before having sexual relations.
If you get nervous and do not know how to explain yourself, or do not know all the answers to your questions, you can also go, with the consent of the minor, to the pediatrician or family doctor to help you with this task and guide you on how to proceed. prevention of these diseases. Looking the other way is never the solution, an open and sincere dialogue is better, even if it is difficult to break the ice. Because health and fertility are at stake.
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