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Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.
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Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.
Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.
Lois McGuire was a registered nurse in Obstetrics and Gynecology for 20 years. This experience made attending Planned Parenthood of Minnesota for the Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program a natural step. Later she attended Case Western Reserve University to achieve her Master's in Nursing. She has been employed at Mayo Clinic as a nurse practitioner for 15 years. She works with women from adolescence though all the life cycles. Lois is committed to a holistic nursing approach, empowering women to take care of their health.
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Safe sex blog
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Nov. 8, 2008
Adolescent girls most at risk of getting an STD
By Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.
The sexually active adolescent girl is most at risk for getting an STD. Adolescents are at a much higher risk of developing STDs. In my blog on the HPV vaccine, I noted that 74 percent of HPV occurs between the ages of 15 and 24.
There are many reasons for adolescent girls to be at an increased risk for disease. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus and extends into the vagina. The opening of the cervix is encircled by a group of cells called the cervical transformation zone. In the adolescent cervix, this area is less developed than the adult female cervix. Here are some of the reasons that may contribute to a young woman's increased risk for disease:
- The cells of the transformation zone are very immature, unstable and constantly in a state of change. This leaves them more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses.
- The cervical cells of an adolescent don't produce cervical mucous as efficiently as someone who is older. The cervical mucous protects against infections.
- The cervix in adolescents may be more susceptible to trauma.
Adolescents and women throughout life are more at risk for contracting an STD due to the ecosystem of the vagina. The vagina is a warm, moist and dark environment. Just like we all learned in science, bacteria and viruses grow best in a warm, moist and dark environment.
Let me give you an example of this increased risk when a girl or young woman is exposed to chlamydia, a sexually transmitted bacterium:
- If a girl had chlamydia and had one act of intercourse with a boy who was not infected, his risk of getting the infection would be 30 percent.
- If a boy had chlamydia and had one act of intercourse with a girl who was not infected, her risk of getting the infection would be 90 percent.
Many girls and young women would reconsider whether they were ready to have intercourse if they understood the physical risk they are taking. If you do feel emotionally ready to take the steps to have intercourse, then protect your physical self by using a condom. This information should empower you to insist on a condom. Remember that any loving partner would willingly wear a condom once they understand the importance of protecting you from disease.
10 comments posted
November 29, 2009 1:29 a.m.
How long can a woman have herpes and not know it. A friend of mine has always had problems with yeast infections. Then in her late teens she found out that she had gotten gonerea and clymidea(not sure if I spelled that right) she wasn't feeling good a week or two ago and said her ovaries were hurting so she went to her dr. and he told her she had herpes. Then she went to the health dept. her and her husband and had blood work done and both of their blood work came back negetive. She called her other dr. back and told him about her blood work from the health dept. being negative and he told her it was a new outbreak and hadn't got in her blood stream yet. Is this possible?
- Audra
August 20, 2009 9:08 a.m.
Dear James, Your attitude is beautiful! However, it is not that simple. Not all STDs are easy to test. Also, frequently, people don't understand when they are sexually risky. For your friends who have a sensitivity to latex, encourage them to try polyurethane condoms. They are just as effective and have less sensitivities. For now, the best actions you can do to protect your partner is to be true and to wear a condom and get tested between partners.
- Lois McGuire
August 5, 2009 1:16 p.m.
Why would a partner who TRULY loves the girl in your example need to use a condom to protect her? If it were me, I would remain faithful to her and get tested for any and ALL STDs prior to sex with her and after we both tested negative, we could make love all we desired to with zero risk of contracting any STD from each other. From what numerous sexually active adolescent girls have told me, condoms can actually cause discomfort, pain and in some cases allergic reactions. In any case, my 14 year-old girlfriend and female friends all agree that when you Truly Love someone, the best way to remain safe from STDs is to NOT use a condom, Get Tested and STAY COMPLETELY FAITHFUL.
- James
February 11, 2009 7:42 a.m.
Good idea. There are many other idea to prevent the spread on a Herpes site" HerpesLoving , co m".
- Cala
November 21, 2008 6:34 p.m.
I honestly think that abstinence only education is the leading cause to this increase. The only way adolescent women will learn how to protect themselves is if they learn comprehensive sex education. This goes for straight as well as gay sex. Numerous times I've spoken with lesbian friends, or recently out lesbian/bisexual women, and they did not know that they still have to use dental dams or female condoms. Comprehensive sex education all the way!
- Dani(Bodymodboy)
November 18, 2008 1:04 p.m.
It is incorrect to say that condoms "do not protect against HPV." The fact is that the CDC recommends condoms but does not have good statistics on how well they protect against this particular virus.
- Christine
November 17, 2008 10:26 p.m.
Education, education, education. For both boys and girls. Condoms, condoms, condoms. Abstinence education ain't cuttin' it and until people get that the numbers won't be going down anytime soon.
- Chris
November 17, 2008 10:18 p.m.
How is it possible that in this day and age girls/young women are still not being educated to take care of their sexual selves? How is it that parents are not addressing these important issues from the time a child is 4 or 5 years old, with age appropriate info? We should be ashamed of ourselves that we are not only not educating our girls but also not helping them to build their self esteem to the point where they would no more not think to take care of themselves sexually than they would to eat and bathe. Wake up people! There is no excuse!
- Jen
November 14, 2008 12:47 p.m.
Getting tested and practicing safe sex is a good idea. also make sure you trust your partner and know that they are clean.
- Mike
November 11, 2008 12:41 p.m.
Good idea except that condoms do not protect against HPV. This is irresponsible reporting. A condom can greatly reduce your risk of fluid/blood borne STD's but can minimally protect you from STD's spread by skin contact.
- Charissa
10 comments posted