Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Marks National Condom Week by Urging Partners to Protect Their Sexual Health

New Haven, CT – 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 diseases (STDs) and unintended pregnancy. Nearly 19 million STDs and more than 3 million unintended pregnancies occur each year, and condoms are the only form of contraception that also helps reduce the risk of STIs.

 

“Education and communication equip people to make responsible decisions about their health,” said Judy Tabar President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. “Data shows many people are not aware they have a sexually transmitted infection. To keep our communities healthy, it is important that each person shares with their partner(s), their desire to use condoms every time they have intercourse.”

 

Contradicting long-established beliefs, a study published in February issue of 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, Planned Parenthood affiliates and Vox^®: Voices for Planned Parenthood campus chapters nationwide are sponsoring activities to help foster discussion about condom use among sexual partners.

 

Each PPSNE health center in Connecticut and Rhode Island will be distributing the perfect Valentine’s Day gift to its visitors—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 of the card the recipient will find a free condom.

 

The PPSNE S.T.A.R.S. (Students Teaching about Responsible Sexuality) and Campus Interns are distributing these SAFE IS SEXY CondomGrams on college and high school campuses across the two states of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2010 estimates that nearly 19 million STDs occur each year, nearly half of which are among 15 to 24-year-olds. Biological factors place women at greater risk of infection than men, and contribute to more severe health consequences for women, so Planned Parenthood’s line of stylish PROPER ATTIRE^® condoms is designed to help women feel more comfortable buying and carrying condoms.

 

Every year Planned Parenthood health centers provide nearly three million women, men, and teens nationwide with health services, and more than one million with education to prevent STDs/STIs and unintended pregnancy.