Sharni
06-20-2003, 11:08 PM
Call it 'sexual silence.' According to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Self magazine, talking about sex is cloaked in shame for many women. And the effects can be detrimental to women's health. According to the survey of 800 women --
Less than 50% aged 18 to 49 have discussed HIV/AIDs or other STDS with their doctors or with their partners
90% find STDs "shameful" and fear that if they bring up the topic, their partners will think they're promiscuous and their doctors will think less of them
70% would feel more embarrassed about having an STD than any other health concern
48% are "very concerned" about breast cancer, while only 33% are concerned about HIV/AIDs and 28% are concerned about other STDs -- although the chances of acquiring an STD are far greater than getting cancer
Over 80% don't realize that one-third of HIV infections in the U.S. occur in women
One piece of good news is that women are increasingly aware of emergency contraception.
Less than 50% aged 18 to 49 have discussed HIV/AIDs or other STDS with their doctors or with their partners
90% find STDs "shameful" and fear that if they bring up the topic, their partners will think they're promiscuous and their doctors will think less of them
70% would feel more embarrassed about having an STD than any other health concern
48% are "very concerned" about breast cancer, while only 33% are concerned about HIV/AIDs and 28% are concerned about other STDs -- although the chances of acquiring an STD are far greater than getting cancer
Over 80% don't realize that one-third of HIV infections in the U.S. occur in women
One piece of good news is that women are increasingly aware of emergency contraception.