Teen Girls Think They are Safe from STDs After HPV Vaccines

The vaccine for Human Papillomavirus is lowering the HPV rates in teens'.  This has led 1 in four teenage girls to falsely believe that the vaccine will help protect them against other sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and more.  A brand new study says that a quarter of teen girls believe that the vaccination will also lower the risk of contracting other infections.

The study involved 339 girls aged 13 to 21 with 60% being sexually active.  The sexually active group received their first of three HPV shots.

HPV DNA Test Best Option for Dectecting Cervical Cancer

HPV DNA Test

A new study finds that detecting cancer in women over 30 is best done with a DNA test for the human papilloma virus (HPV).

A new report suggests that detecting HPV through a DNA screening is more sensitive than the standard Pap tests.  Detecting precancerous high-grade lesions on the cervix this way is found to be the best option.  The authors of the study state that high-risk HPV was present in nearly all cervical cancers.  The study involved women that were randomly given either a HPV DNA test and cytology or the cytology alone.  A second screening 5 years later was conducted and HPV and cytology tests were conducted at that point.

1 in 4 Teen Girls Have a Sexually Transmitted Disease

Teen Girls STD Testing

According to a report by the CDC many years ago found that 1 in 4 teen girls between 14 and 19 years old is infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause genital warts and cervical cancer.  Approximately one in 25 females carries chlamydia.

The study also showed that half of African-American females are infected with some type of an STD.  Access to less sexual health resources is the major cause of the alarming rate in African-American females.

The CDC suggests the regular screening of chlamydia at least yearly for all sexually active women.  Females ages 25 years of age and older are also recommended for testing.

STD Testing is recommended on a yearly basis because the signs and symptoms of STDs do not always show.  Many people are carrying sexually transmitted diseases and do not even know it.

The only way to know that you are STD free is get tested for all major STDs and HIV.  Women especially need to worry about chlamydia and HPV.