Safe Sex: A Doctor's Guide to Valentines Day

The Valentine's Day frenzy is upon us -- ads are streaming for flowers, chocolates and red personal what-nots. There is no day in the year more anticipated for romance than Valentine's Day. We all may secretly or overtly hope for roses, jewelry, a fancy dinner, a kiss from a special someone or ... more. What we don't want are the negative consequences of this romantic day, the pangs of a jaded or broken heart, or the disappointment of unrequited love.

While devastating, as an Obstetrician Gynecologist these are not the issues about which I am most concerned. I worry about and take care of acquired sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.

My purpose is not to put a damper on this day but rather to be your Valentine and help prepare you to enjoy this day and its prospects in a safe and protected manner. For this Valentine's Day, I prescribe the following: Be your own valentine -- protect yourself against sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy.

A sign of high expectations for Valentine's dates are not only reflected by increased consumption of 200 million cut flowers and 1.1 billion boxes of chocolates that are purchased around Valentine's Day, but also increased condom sales. According to condom maker, Durex, condom sales are about 25 percent higher than usual on Valentine's Day. While this is a great statistic to amuse friends at parties or amongst my residents or medical students on rounds, I am pleased to report this fact to demonstrate awareness for protected sexual behavior to celebrate this holiday.

I am, however, concerned when I see that more home pregnancy test kits are sold in the weeks following Valentine's Day than any other time of the year. I am primarily concerned about the number of tests done when a positive result is not the desired outcome. In fact, visits to websites like Plan B One-Step spike in the weeks following Valentine's Day. It is a reminder that Valentine's Day is an important day to educate women and men on the facets of safe sexual behaviors and what to do when contraception fails or is not used. Only then can we have truly a safe and happy Valentine's Day.

So as we go into this Valentine's Day 2011, I have these pieces of advice to be your own valentine:

• Always choose with whom and what happens when you are with a sexual partner -- don't let the pressure of Valentine's Day influence you to do something you don't want to do.
• Protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections by using male or female condoms -- these are easily available at a local pharmacy, grocery or even gas station.
• If you are currently on a birth control method -- don't forget to use it and use it correctly.
• If you are not currently using a birth control method -- it is not too late to get one.
• Call a health care provider or clinic or at the very least use condoms to protect against pregnancy.

If all of the above doesn't quite happen the way you expected and you have unprotected intercourse -- get emergency contraception to reduce the risk of an unintended pregnancy.

I hope all of you out there are swept off of your feet -- but stay grounded. Be your own valentine and protect yourself.

XOXO
Your Valentine, Dr. Ashlesha Patel

 

Comments

[bannorhill]

09:08 PM on 02/13/2011

Remember sex is not manditory. No is always a good option.

[onionboy]

08:53 PM on 02/13/2011

Let's take the VD out of Valentines Day.

[kelleyconnors]

05:52 PM on 02/13/2011

Excellent essay and really important information, reminding us of what we know but probably ignore..until a well-written essay like this appears in the press! Thanks for taking the time to be part of the conversation in women's health!

[ilovemyprez]

04:06 PM on 02/12/2011

This is coming a little late for Valentine's Day advice, but also make sure to get the HPV vaccine. If I'm not mistakent, HPV is the number one std out there and causes several cancers (cervical, throat, anal) as well as genital warts, and condoms don't protect against it. Condoms and birth control are also necessary to prevent against other issues, but everyone should also get vaccinated. Happy Valentine's Day!

[Hawley Roddick]

01:56 PM on 02/12/2011

What a difference the missing hyphen makes in the title of this essay. When I clicked on that title, I expected to read fairly lighthearted info about a new sex refresher that is safe. Perhaps I''d also learn about sex refreshers (which I'd never heard of before) that are unsafe but interesting. Instead I found a safe-sex refresher: a serious look at safe sex, which is an important topic but not what the title promises. A reminder that punctuation plays a key role for writers, editors, and readers..