Planned Parenthood Advocate

Happy Valentine's Day! It's National Condom Week!

This February, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota invites you to be your own
Valentine. Love your body by taking good care of it!

Every year, National Condom Week takes place the week of Valentine’s Day. National Condom Week reminds us to always practice safer sex. Did you know, when used perfectly, the male condom is 98% effective, but the way most people use them makes them 82% effective? Make sure you use them properly every time!

Young people ages 15 – 24 account for half of all new STIs, and over the past decade Chlamydia rates have risen nearly 90% in Minnesota. Because many patients will not experience any symptoms from a STI, screenings are an important facet of safer sex practices. Planned Parenthood’s highly trained staff are experts in sexual health. Over 63,000 patients a year visit this region’s local Planned Parenthood for confidential, non-judgmental services such as STI screening, pregnancy testing and birth control supplies, including condoms.

Planned Parenthood’s 4NOW program provides condoms, STI screenings, birth control and more at no cost to eligible women seeking birth control services in Minnesota. Planned Parenthood accepts most forms of private insurance, and has payment options to meet everyone’s needs!

Planned Parenthood wishes you a healthy, happy Valentine’s Day!

 

-Kelly, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

STIs on the Rise in South Dakota

Alanna McFall

A disturbing trend has recently come to light concerning the spread of sexually transmitted infections in South Dakota.

The South Dakota Department of Health has released the July 2012 Health and Disease Summary, a monthly report that records the numbers of reportable diseases in South Dakota from the beginning of the year through July, and compares the numbers to the average recordings found in the last five years.

 2124 cases of Chlamydia were recorded between January 1^st and July 31^st, a 24% rise from the five-year median. Numbers of HIV/AIDS have risen by 33%, and rates of gonorrhea came in 58% over the previous average.

Perhaps the most startling rise, however, comes in the recorded cases of syphilis. Nine cases of syphilis have been reported in South Dakota in 2012. However, as the disease has been so rare in the area, this is a rise of 350% from the five year median ("July 2012 Health and Disease summary").

These numbers, and the ages behind them, highlight the importance of sexual education for people of all ages, and especially among teenagers and young adults. The new cases of gonorrhea and Chlamydia are largely focused in the 15-24 year old demographic, with 185 gonorrhea cases and 1530 Chlamydia cases. The nine syphilis cases, however, are all comprised of older adults, with six cases reported in people between ages 40 and 64.

The lack of awareness and education abut safer sex is reflected in these troubling numbers. In an interview with The Daily Republic, a South Dakota publication, state epidemiologist Dr. Lon Kightlinger said “People aren’t having safe sex…[State reporting] can go a long ways to helping stop these diseases from spreading, but it is still alarming to see how this disease can start with one person and spread like a web” (Huber).

Hopefully, unfortunate numbers like this can bring about the push for greater openness and education about the spread and risks of sexually transmitted infections. Schools need to be able to give their students thorough, factual and practical information about the sexual choices they are making, and parents need to be willing to have the conversation with their children as well. Only then can the spread of these serious diseases be stemmed.

Planned Parenthood Mobilizes Youth on World AIDS Day

In recognition of World AIDS Day, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS) is coordinating events in cities throughout Minnesota aimed at helping young Minnesotans protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).  From Minneapolis to Rochester, from Bemidji to Duluth – young people throughout the state will organize and educate their peers about HIV/AIDS.

[INFOGRAPHIC] Chlamydia in Minnesota

One of the leading causes of infertility in women, chlamydia trachomatis affects millions each year without symptoms and it has reached epidemic levels in Minnesota.  Get the facts, stay healthy, and get tested. Share this infographic with your friends.

Congressman Ellison promotes National HIV Testing Day by getting tested

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 56,000 Americans will be infected with HIV every year and currently 1 in 5 people living with HIV are unaware that they have HIV. Today is National HIV Testing Day and in an effort to raise awareness around the importance of getting tested, Congressman Keith Ellison took a rapid mouth swab HIV test in Washington.

Ellison explained, “The stigma of being tested for HIV is still present in many communities. By renewing my commitment, I hope to show those in my district and around the country that this simple test could possibly stop the transition of HIV to another person”

Thanks Congressman Ellison for calling attention to the importance of getting tested!

Planned Parenthood offers HIV testing at clinics throughout Minnesota. Make an appointment today. Call 1-800-230-PLAN.