IDENTIGENE is proud to be a sponsor of the Sex::Tech conference on New Media, Youth, and Sexual Health. As part of the ramp up to this exciting event (April 1-2, 2011 in San Francisco) we where invited to take part in the Sex::Tech blog carnival.

The Ask: Join Sex::Tech in investigating the search for sex information online.

We were curious about how teens felt about the search for information online, and invited youth blogger, Kayla, a 19 year old college freshman to write our post for us. Here is what she had to say:

Sex on the Engine

The internet. The greatest, largest, information highway in the modern world. Quick answers to any question imaginable. My question; is it really THAT easy to find the information that you need right away?

I personally have been learning to use the internet to solve difficult questions since elementary school. I’ve learned how to phrase my questions well to receive the correct answer. However, is the average teen able to do so? If a teenage girl needs information on a sensitive subject like sexual health, can she find it on the internet? Could she find quality answers to questions about STDs, birth control, or just on sex in general? I believe she could.

Now, does that mean that the internet is the best place for her to learn about such important things as sex? Maybe or maybe not. She could talk to her parents, but how often does that really work out? How about friends? It would depend on the type of friends she has. If we take into consideration that she IS going to turn to the internet for answers, it could be the best place for her to get them.

Is quality sexual health information easy to access though? That’s a difficult question. How easy is it to get “good” information about STDs or birth control? I tried this myself, to see what type of info a girl might get when trying to tackle these tough questions. I went to a few of the major search engines and try to find information about oral sex.

On Google the first eight links were tips on giving oral sex, and news stories about politics and oral. Only the three last links were about the health concerns of oral sex. Not off to a great start.

Next I tried to be a little more specific, to see if that might help. I searched for “oral sex facts” on Ask.com and the turnout was a little better. I had a few more health links, but I also got lots of religious links questioning if oral counted as sex.

Continuing on to Bing.com I searched for “oral sex concerns”, trying to get down to the real answers someone might need. At this point I got the goods. Every link was to safe sex, information on STDs , and how to protect oneself, and on the importance of the decision to have sex.

Through this search I’ve found that it might be difficult for people to find the information that they need on the internet if they don’t know where or how to look, or what exactly they’re looking for.  I do believe however, that a teen could find quality information on safe sex, on any mainstream search engine, if they really wanted to. All I had to do was type in “oral sex concerns” and I found it.

I would however make it easier for teens to find sexual health information by making those sites more readily available and by targeting teens that might not be specifically looking for STD information. Show teens that the information is there when, and if, they need it, a safety net, that can catch them before they fall.

Written for the Sex::Tech 2011 Blog Carnival.  Sex::Tech, the leading conference on youth, sexuality, and technology, is April 1-2, 2011 in San Francisco.

Talking to your parents about STD testing or other sexual health matters can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, even downright scary! But it can be important to take this step. Your parents know you best, and love you, they can be the best place to go when you have STD questions. And hey, they are probably JUST as uncomfortable talking about sexual health as you are!

The teensource.org gives some great tips on talking to your parents about STDs.

• Wait for a time when they can give you their full attention. Long drives, or when working together on a favorite hobby can be good times to talk about STD testing.
• “I’d like to get your take on this…” or “I know this seems weird to talk about, but I was wondering…” can be good ways to start the conversation. Let them know that you value what they have to say.
• Ask your parents open-ended questions. “What do you think I need to know about sex?” can be a great place to start. When they answer, keep in mind that you may not agree. You and your parents may have different values and priorities. Hear them out. Let them know you are listening and considering their view point.

If you can’t talk to your parent? There are other adults who would be a good source of STD information. Try talking to:

• an aunt uncle, or other relative
• one of your friends’ parents
• a counselor at your school
• your doctor – depending on your age and the state you live in, your doctor appointment may be confidential

Want more information on talking to your parents about STD testing, or on sexual health in general?

• For more ideas about talking to your parents about sex, you can also go to www.teenwire.com.
• Want to give your parents a place to get more information on this topic? Tell them about www.talkwithyourkids.org
• Need information about birth control? STDs? Your Rights to Health Care? TeenSource has information on all kinds of topics
• Just for fun, check out the creative ways other people have found to talk about STDs at www.talkaboutstds.com. Make sure to vote for your favorite video!

I’ve recently become aware of a practice called “Expedited Partner Therapy “.

EPT is the clinical practice of treating the sex partners of patients diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea by providing prescriptions or medications to the patient to take to his/her partner without the health care provider first examining the partner.     You can read more about how expedited partner therapy works at http://www.cdc.gov/std/ept/ .  Just this year, Illinois became the most recent state to make EPT permissible.  For an interactive map that tells if your state permits EPT, go to http://www.cdc.gov/std/ept/legal/default.htm.

EPT can help ensure timely STD treatment, helping to prevent the spread of the disease as well as reducing the risk of serious health consequences.   It’s important to treat both partners to prevent STD reinfection, and chlamydia and gonorrhea are usually treated with antibiotics—simple prescriptions.

It’s great that in a complicated world, it seems that STD testing and treatment are actually getting simpler…Just pick up a couple of STD test kits from your local pharmacy and test from the privacy of your own home.  If your STD test results are positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, and you live in a state where EPT is permissible, one doctor can provide treatment for both partners.

Just to be clear, I want to say that I think it’s best for every individual to be examined by their doctor.  However, if your partner will not see a doctor, EPT may be a solution for you.