"Chlamydia, Gonorrhea Rates Climb, But Few Young Women Feel At Risk" - Tara Haelle
In the midst of record-high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs), a new industry-sponsored survey finds that many of those at high risk for STDs are not getting tested—and don’t seem to think they need to. The findings are striking: 62 percent of sexually active women under age 25 reported not feeling at risk for STDs, and only about four in ten women said their partner used a condom the last time they had sex. Yet the U.S. currently has the highest prevalence of STDs in decades. However, the report's findings cannot be used to suggest that low testing rates are contributing to the rise in STDs. “This data does not correlate with other data that is present in the literature. However, one cannot comment on any form of causal reason because this study was just a survey,” said Eric Ganz, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Ganz found it particularly interesting that half of women said their nurse or doctor has never asked them if they wanted STD testing despite national recommendations to do so. The CDC recommends that all sexually active women under age 25 be annually tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- Eric M. Ganz, MD, Assistant Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
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