Valentine’s Day is just a couple of days away, and it is considered the most romantic day of the year. It also has significance on the world’s economy, as  retailers who cater to that market witness a huge boost, because people spend more money buying loads of gifts for their significant others as a romantic gesture.

However, to be realistic, one of the most popular ways people share their feelings of love and affection is through sex and on Valentine’s Day, a lot of people will be having sex. A sex survey carried out by SKYN Condoms in 2017, which focused on over 3,000 men and women, ages 18-34, stated that “68 percent of their respondents say that Valentine’s Day is the time they have the most sex”.

There is nothing romantic about unsafe sex!

That is why it is important to keep a healthy sexual hygiene in order to protect yourself and your health.

Although this might not be exciting and come off as a killjoy on a day where you want to just have loads of loving, the current rise of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) continues to be a significant public health concern.

STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis just to mention a few are on the rise. Many STIs have few or no noticeable symptoms, so people may not be aware they are infected and these infections if left untreated, can lead to serious health complications.

Some of these health complications and the most serious include infertility, cancer, HPV (Human Papillomavirus, which causes genital warts), Hepatitis B and an increased chance of HIV, which can lead to AIDS, further leading to death if not managed properly. That is why practicing safe sex and undergoing regular testing by a healthcare professional for STIs, including HIV is important for anyone who is sexually active.

It is important to understand the importance of openly discussing sexual health, this provides people the opportunity to educate themselves about protection, knowing risks, getting tested, and learning how to talk about sex with partners and health care providers.

Spread affection not infections!

This Valentine’s Day, whoever you like enough to have sex with, especially a new partner, make sure you show extra love to yourself by having safer sex.

Contact your health care provider or contact us here at ICARH on our Sexual Health programs through our toll-free line: 0800225542274.

Learn more about our Sexual health services.