STIs: What You May NOT Have Learned in Sex Ed

Working at Planned Parenthood gives employees - even those in administration - a broad knowledge of reproductive health. I am always surprised by what I learn, mostly because it's information I wish I had had way back when.

Here is a selection of interesting facts to whet your appetite, courtesy of the Guttmacher Institute and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

• The CDC estimates that 20 million people in the United States are infected with HPV


• Heterosexual transmission of HIV accounts for over 75% of the newly diagnosed cases.


• Half of people that are newly diagnosed with STDs are between the ages of 15 and 24. Even more shocking: this age group makes up only 25% of the sexually-active US population.


• For the fiscal conservatives out there: direct medical costs for STDs in the US are about $14.7 billion a year.


• More than half of us will have an STD in our lifetimes.

There will be many more posts that cover specific aspects of STDs, including diagnosis, treatment, and, most importantly, prevention.

In the meantime, we would like to hear your stories and questions. Are you confused by which STDs are curable and which aren't? Did you get tested recently? Do you ever discuss STDs with your partner?