- With Mayo Clinic women's health nurse practitioner
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. 1, 2008
Condoms critical for protection from STDs
By Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.
In taking a sexual history with my dating population, I ask whether they use condoms. Many times the answer is "No or sometimes." We talk about the importance of condoms, but how successful are we in stressing this information?
The 2007 Minnesota Student Survey showed:
- In the 9th grade, 27 percent of males and 31 percent of females did not use a condom the last time they had intercourse. About 1 in 5 said they had had intercourse.
- In the 12th grade, 34 percent of males and 41 percent of females did not use a condom the last time they had intercourse. About half said they had had intercourse.
According to the 2007 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report "Adolescent Health in the United States," 50 percent to 60 percent of females ages 15-19 used a condom at the last act of intercourse.
"Condom Use and Consistency Among Male Adolescents in the United States" was just published by Manlove, Ikramullah and Terry-Humen. Here are some of the key findings:
- 71 percent of males used a condom at first and last sexual intercourse.
- African-American males were more likely to use condoms than their white counterparts.
- Hispanic males were half as likely to use condoms as their white counterparts.
- If the sex was casual or unplanned, they were less likely to use a condom.
- Males who had a positive attitude towards condoms were more likely to use a condom consistently.
- The most impressive finding was the fact that one in five had not received any type of sexual education prior to their first sexual experience. These males were 50 percent less likely to use a condom.
Unplanned sex is the most risky sex for many reasons. Not using a condom with unplanned sex seems counter intuitive. It is always a good idea to talk to your partner. Both of you should get STD screening done before beginning a new relationship.
Education is also an important factor in helping our adolescents to use a condom. Males who were taught in a positive environment about condoms were more likely to use them. Males who received no information about condoms were less likely to use them. If you know of someone who is not using a condom, talk to them.
We know that condoms protect both males and females. Next, I am going to address the importance of using condoms to protect our young women. When our young women are protected, the young men will be protected as well.
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