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| Hi, friends! Who’s in the mood to talk about sex? All of you? Great. Because in today’s edition, we’re sharing some vital facts about how to protect your sexual health. |
| First, we look into why cervical cancer rates stopped decreasing in recent years and why for some groups, the rates have actually started to tick back up. We’ll also explain the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) and how to stay up to date on your screenings. |
| Other topics we’ll be digging into include: |
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your chance to share advice to your younger self |
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Stay sharp,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |
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Written by Ginger Wojcik
January 18, 2023 • 6 min read |
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| Why are cervical cancer rates climbing for some millennials? |
At a glance, the fight against cervical cancer in the United States is going pretty well. Case and death rates went down 40% and 37% respectively between 1992 and 2019. But a closer look at the data tells a less rosy story.
Starting around 2011, rates of cervical cancer stopped declining almost completely. And for certain groups, rates have actually been increasing. For example, cervical cancer among women in their early 30s has been going up 3.39% per year. While the why isn’t totally clear, experts such as Ashish Deshmukh, PhD, say it may have to do with a significant drop in screening rates in recent years. (FYI, the American Cancer Society recommends getting a Pap test every 5 years if you’re between 25 and 65 years old. Read more about the current recommendations here.)
Cervical cancer is usually caused by HPV, an incredibly common sexually transmitted infection. In fact, 80% to 90% of people who are sexually active will get it in their lifetime. (For everyone reading this between the ages of 9 and 45, did you know you can get vaccinated for HPV? Learn more here.)
While there’s no cure for HPV, the majority of cases clear up in 2 years. Even if your HPV doesn’t go away, sticking to regular screenings and checkups can dramatically reduce your risk of cervical cancer. Can we get a round of applause for modern medicine?
tl;dr: Cervical cancer rates, which steadily declined between 1992 and 2011, have plateaued. Experts aren’t sure why progress has stalled, but some believe it has to do with a decline in screening rates in recent years. The American Cancer Society recommends getting a Pap test — which screens for HPV, the leading cause of cervical cancer — every 5 years if you’re between 25 and 65 years old. Read more about the current recommendations here.
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| Editor faves with health perks |
| You know those great finds you just *have* to tell your friends about? That’s how we feel about the products we recommend here. Every pick has been vetted by our editorial team, and we genuinely think it’ll make your life better. |
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| myONE Condoms |
| Speaking of HPV, using condoms is one of the best ways to reduce your chance of contracting (or passing on) the virus, but they’re often used incorrectly, which reduces their effectiveness. Proper, effective condom use starts with choosing the right size. And myOne Condoms is here to help. |
| The brand — which carries 10 different sizes for length and 9 sizes for girth —
is committed to helping you find the right condom fit. Their site walks you through how to get your measurements, which you can do on your own with their downloadable printout, or by filling out a questionnaire. Once you know your size, you order through their site and let the fun, protected times commence. |
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| Seattle Public Schools is suing the companies behind Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for their role in the teen mental health crisis. The lawsuit argues that Big Tech needs to be held accountable for how its social media platforms are designed to draw young people in and keep them hooked at the expense of their well-being.
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| It’s a fine day to get tested |
When was the last time you had your cholesterol tested? What about your vitamin or micronutrient levels? If it’s been a while, you’re certainly not alone. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many have delayed routine doctor visits.
If you’re turned off by physically going to the doctor, consider using an at-home testing service like LetsGetChecked, which offers quick, easy, and reliable testing for a range of health concerns. LetsGetChecked can help you achieve your wellness goals by giving you insights on your fertility, hormones, cholesterol, nutrient levels, risk of colon cancer, and much more.
One area they focus on is sexual health. The steep rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and diseases (STDs) in the last few years shows what can happen when people put off going to the doctor. While getting diagnosed with an STI is no reason to panic, STIs can be cause for concern if not addressed early. “Many STIs are without any signs or symptoms,” says Jenny Yu, head of Medical Affairs at Healthline. “And some of these diseases can affect fertility and long-term health when left untreated.”
This is why getting regular screenings is so vital. After all, you can’t treat an STI you don’t know you have. Plus, getting tested can help you avoid passing an STI on to someone else. “Knowing is loving,” says Yu.
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| What if we talked about sex the way we do about other aspects of our health? You know, without all the shame and more of the plain facts? Condom size matters. Most people get HPV. Masturbating is healthy and normal. Imagine the anxiety that could be avoided. |
| Of course, we can’t magically fix sex education or change centuries-old beliefs. But we can control the way we talk about sex, especially how we talk about it with young people. |
| We want to know: What’s one piece of advice regarding sexual health you would tell your younger self? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming edition!)
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Thanks for reading! Last week, we asked readers for their friendship tips. Monique S. wrote in about “embracing one's natural disposition.” Here’s an excerpt from Monique:
As a very organized, proactive person, I've fallen into the role of instigator and organizer when it comes to getting together with my girlfriends. Initially, I was resentful that it was always me doing the contacting and organizing, but since it’s my nature to be proactive and I was deprived of friends as a young person by toxic parenting, I have now embraced my wish to nurture my friendships and take the lead. It gives me great pleasure to bring people together and see us all having a fabulous time.
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| Until next time, |
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Take care of yourself, and we’ll see
you again soon! |
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| This edition was powered by |
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regular STI screenings.
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