Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Recognizes Valentine’s Day and National Condom Week by Urging Partners to Protect Their Sexual Health

For Immediate Release: May 19, 2014

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Nearly 20 Million STIs and Over 3 Million Unintended Pregnancies Occur Each Year

(New Haven, Conn.) — With National Condom Week set for February 14-21, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) urges sexually active individuals to talk to their partners about the importance of using condoms to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy. Nearly 20 million STIs and more than three million unintended pregnancies occur each year, and condoms are the only form of contraception that also helps reduce the risk of STIs. 

"Many people who have a sexually transmitted infection don’t even realize it, since many STIs cause no immediate symptoms," said Kafi Rouse, Director of Public Relations and Marketing of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. "This Valentine’s Day, let your partner know that you want to use condoms every time you have sex so you can both stay healthy."

 

Research has shown that only 19 percent of single women 20 to 44 always use condoms, and condoms are used in only about six percent of sexual encounters among those 61 and older.

 

"It’s important to remember that one can never reach an age when you are not at risk for a sexually transmitted infection," said Dr. Timothy Spurrell, Medical Director of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. "Continuous condom use helps protect your health and well-being – no matter how old you are or where you are in life." 

Contradicting long-held cultural ideas about condom use, a study published last year in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that men and women rated recent sexual experiences as highly pleasurable whether or not condoms were used.

 

For National Condom Week, each PPSNE health center in Connecticut and Rhode Island will distribute SAFE IS SEXY CondomGrams. This simple message "Safe is Sexy" reminds people to protect themselves and their partners with the use of condoms. The message is printed on a Valentine’s Day card and on the inside the recipient will find a free condom.

 

The PPSNE S.T.A.R.S. (Students Teaching About Responsible Sexuality) and Campus Action Interns are distributing these CondomGrams on college and high school campuses across Connecticut and Rhode Island.

 

PPSNE is here to help make conversations about condom use easier; with resources and information on how to use condoms correctly, and how to talk about condom use with your partner.

 

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England works every day to reduce the number of STIs and unintended pregnancies and to keep people healthy. PPSNE provides provide educational and outreach programs to thousands of people of all ages every year.

 

For more information on PPSNE programs, visit ppsne.org.

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