Sexual health - a Panorama documentary - Page 2

Oskar · 13th October 2005, 8:30pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowsbette

I saw a bit on this on the news tonight, scary stuff indeed.

On a lighter note, it also claimed the "average woman" sleeps with 6 people in her entire life.

Aye. Right.

Here. Six is still a fair few folk.

Few long term relationships, couple of one nights stands, a fling and hey presto - a pretty average number of sexual partners.

I wouldn't go scoffing at people who don't sleep with several guys.

Foxglove · 13th October 2005, 8:36pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oskar

Here. Six is still a fair few folk.

Few long term relationships, couple of one nights stands, a fling and hey presto - a pretty average number of sexual partners.

I wouldn't go scoffing at people who don't sleep with several guys.

To my mind numbers of partners is just a figure and is not something to judge anyone on - whether the number be less than 10 or in the hundreds. However, maybe knowing that the statistic is so low (although whether is low as all ages have been taken in to account and the number for under 30s far excess this is a possibility?) is something that is important. Whether we admit it or not, peer pressure is huge and maybe some people do feel that they should sleep with numerous partners because it is the done thing?

Nieriel · 13th October 2005, 8:38pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxglove

Is there still a general reluctance to have your sexual health checked regularly - particularly if you are not in a stable relationship?

I think for some people there is still a stigma attatched to sexual healthcare i.e. if you need a check up you're a dirty slapper or the body-shy issue.

Quote:

Is there a general reluctance to use condoms and do people use excuses such as being drunk for not using them?

Back to the "it kills the moment"/"it doesn't feel the same".

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Do we need to work towards making Sexual Health clinics far more open and a place it is natural to visit, in the same was as we are all happy to visit a GP or phramacist?

As above.

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Should condoms be more readily available for free - such as at pharmacists, so we can pick them up any time? What are the answers to stopping this increase in STIs?

I think they are readily available as it is but if people aren't willing to use them it doesn't matter who gives them away.

Mrs.Evil of Hesselink · 13th October 2005, 8:40pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowsbette

On a lighter note, it also claimed the "average woman" sleeps with 6 people in her entire life.

The average woman also has less than 2 legs.

Stats are strange.

Foxglove · 13th October 2005, 8:57pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veritas

I think for some people there is still a stigma attatched to sexual healthcare i.e. if you need a check up you're a dirty slapper or the body-shy issue.

Back to the "it kills the moment"/"it doesn't feel the same".

As above.

I think they are readily available as it is but if people aren't willing to use them it doesn't matter who gives them away.

Totally - they were more rhetoric questions. It is a question of changing people's perception so that getting a sexual health check up is no different from getting a well woman/man check up or a smear test etc. Using condoms becomes just a part of sex rather than perceived as something that kills the moment so that it feels odd not using them rather that unpleasant to use them and that we are all concerned not only in not getting an STI but not being able to pass one on either - and that can only be by using condoms and have check ups. It is up to us to do this and not to rely simply on "education" or the "NHS" or the "government". If we address this issue, and stop waiting for someone else to, then the incidents of STIs will decrease.

Rowsbette · 13th October 2005, 10:02pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oskar

Here. Six is still a fair few folk.

Few long term relationships, couple of one nights stands, a fling and hey presto - a pretty average number of sexual partners.

I wouldn't go scoffing at people who don't sleep with several guys.

Actual fucksake, big misinterpretation. Where was I "scoffing" at people who don't sleep with several guys?

I'm just saying I severely doubt it's an accurate statistic, in terms of the "average" woman.

Stew · 14th October 2005, 12:11am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowsbette

I'm just saying I severely doubt it's an accurate statistic, in terms of the "average" woman.

Worried that you are over that number at your tender age?

I'm now going to hide like hell over the next weekend since you know I'm going to be out.

¡Punk! · 14th October 2005, 12:23am

I hate condoms with a passion usually reserved for....... Andy Millen. Don't think I've ever came while using a condom and, to be honest, usually lose my hard-on after 5/10 minutes.

It's a risk I take by not using them as often as I should but I get regular check ups just incase. I know it's very stupid of me but.. fuck it. My choice.

Oskar · 14th October 2005, 7:45am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowsbette

Actual fucksake, big misinterpretation. Where was I "scoffing" at people who don't sleep with several guys?

I'm just saying I severely doubt it's an accurate statistic, in terms of the "average" woman.

What makes you think that it's not realistic? Might not seem right in your circle of friends, doesn't mean it's not the "average".

I'm sure the average would be different if it was "how many sexual partners for 20 somethings in past ten years" but if it's for an entire lifetime then obviously they're also looking at couple who got married in their early twenties etc as was the norm a while ago.

All I'm saying is that 6 partners is higher than I would have thought so don't find it surprising.

Rowsbette · 14th October 2005, 8:08am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew

I'm now going to hide like hell over the next weekend since you know I'm going to be out.

Ocht, as if I'd hassle you for a wee comment like that...

I'd hope such a figure wouldn't bother most "over-average" girls in the slightest, I reckon you'd have to be pretty shallow to pass judgement on someone based on something as trivial as how many folk they've slept with.

Ruth, I wasn't basing that on my "circle of friends" at all. Not that it matters, but the majority are well under that number.

Oskar · 14th October 2005, 8:52am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowsbette

Ruth, I wasn't basing that on my "circle of friends" at all. Not that it matters, but the majority are well under that number.

I didn't mean that in a totally harsh manner btw.

Was just astounded by the shock of six being quoted as the average, seems pretty reasonable if you think about it.

MarkMono · 14th October 2005, 8:56am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Punk

I hate condoms with a passion usually reserved for....... Andy Millen. Don't think I've ever came while using a condom and, to be honest, usually lose my hard-on after 5/10 minutes.

It's a risk I take by not using them as often as I should but I get regular check ups just incase. I know it's very stupid of me but.. fuck it. My choice.

See, I know a fair few folk like this and I have to remind myself not to lecture them.

A) They Know the risks, B) Its entirely their choice and C) Its not like its me putting myself at risk from everything from cockrot to HIV.

Does anyone really not know that unprotected sex can lead to disease and death?

Anyone?

Sounds to me like they're either trying to justify the budget or distract our attention away from something. Super-AIDs, possibly.

feistyfairie · 14th October 2005, 9:19am

^^^what he said

OMFG i cant believe how people just dont care enuff bout themselves to pop one on

MarkMono · 14th October 2005, 9:22am

S'their choice though. I respect other peoples right to not respect their health or, more commonly, to not particularly give a fuck.

Gadafti Inc. · 14th October 2005, 9:40am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Punk

I hate condoms with a passion usually reserved for....... Andy Millen. Don't think I've ever came while using a condom and, to be honest, usually lose my hard-on after 5/10 minutes.

It's a risk I take by not using them as often as I should but I get regular check ups just incase. I know it's very stupid of me but.. fuck it. My choice.

5 - 10mins is long enuff for anyone

Seriously tho, have you tried loads of different types, cos there may be one that suits you no bad out there.

On the whole Family Planning Clinic giving them out for free thing, I used to get them there but they stopped doing Durex. I'm a bit superstitious about using other types and I know what I like so I have to pay for them. I don't see why Family Planning dont' carry a far wider range of condoms for free distribution. I bet that it has a lot to do with budgets tho!