'Shocking' Sexual Health Survey Shows 67% Of Brits Would Lie To Partner About Having An STI
67% Of Brits Would Lie About Having An STI
Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK
Many people value honesty in relationships. But it seems that when it comes to having a sexually transmitted infection (STI), many Brits would rather tell a porky than reveal the truth about their sexual health.
A study by MedExpress found that two thirds (67%) of Brits would lie to their partner about having a STI, which has been branded as "shocking" and "nasty".
When asked why they would lie, the majority (92%) said they wouldn’t want to put the other person off sleeping with them.
The survey asked 2,500 adults, who had all admitted to having a one night stand in the past, about their sexual experiences.
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Participants were asked if they would take extra precaution if they did have an STI - 82% said they would wear a condom for penetrative and oral sex, 10% said they would wear a condom just for penetrative sex and, worryingly, 8% stated they wouldn’t bother using a condom at all.
Spokesperson for MedExpress Michael Ross said the fact people would lie about having an STI is "shocking".
"Sexually transmitted infections should be taken seriously and willingly lying and then sleeping with someone, especially if you aren’t willing to wear protection, is outright nasty," he said.
"If you contract an STI, it isn’t the end of the world, most are treatable with a course of antibiotics and you can visit your local GUM clinic for procedures.
"We urge people to be honest with anyone they plan to be sleeping with; this will help prevent the unnecessary spreading of sexually transmitted diseases."
1 in 2 women believe that all types of contraception require you to do something regularly to be effective (credit:Alamy)
Fact(02 of14)
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"Some long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as the implant or intrauterine contraceptives do not require regular administration in order to be effective."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(03 of14)
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Almost 1 in 5 women don’t realise they can get pregnant if they miss a pill (credit:Alamy)
Fact(04 of14)
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"Missing a pill can significantly impact the risk of becoming pregnant particularly if you have unprotected sex around the time of the hormone free interval. If you do miss a pill, follow the instructions on your packet of pills."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(05 of14)
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"Around 1 in 4 women believe that long acting reversible contraception (LARCs) are permanent and irreversible contraception solutions." (credit:Alamy)
Fact(06 of14)
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"Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are not permanent forms of contraception and are reversible. For example once an implant, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) is removed, there is no evidence to suggest a delay in the woman's fertility return."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(07 of14)
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Nearly 1 in 5 women believe that all contraception requires a monthly visit to their Healthcare professional (HCP) (credit:Alamy)
Fact(08 of14)
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"That's not the case - for example following the fitting of an intrauterine contraceptive, women should return to their healthcare professional for a check at about 6 weeks and then they don't need to make another appointment until it needs changing."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(09 of14)
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More than half (58%; 2,451 out of 4,199) of women think that long term contraceptives should not be used if you may suddenly decide you want to try to have a baby. (credit:Alamy)
Fact(10 of14)
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"Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are not permanent forms of contraception and are reversible. There is no evidence of delay in return of fertility when an implant, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) is removed. There could be a delay of up to one year in the return of fertility after a woman stops having the contraceptive injection."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(11 of14)
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Almost a third of women (31%; 1,309 out of 4,199) think that contraceptive pills have the highest rate of efficacy when compared to other methods. (credit:Alamy)
Fact(12 of14)
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"This is not true. The most effective methods of contraception, based on 'typical-use' are the contraceptive implant, intrauterine contraceptives and male and female sterilisation with less than 1 woman in 100 becoming pregnant using these methods. "'Typical-use' refers to how effective a contraceptive method is for the average person who does not always use the method correctly or consistently. For example, women who use oral contraceptives perfectly will experience almost complete protection against pregnancy. "However, in the real world, some women may forget to take a pill every single day, and pregnancies can and do occur to women who miss one or more pills during a cycle. So, while oral contraceptives have a perfect-use effectiveness rate of over 99%, their typical-use effectiveness is closer to 91%."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(13 of14)
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Nearly 1 in 5 women think that long term methods all need surgical insertion into the uterus. (credit:Alamy)
Fact(14 of14)
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"The intrauterine system (IUS) and intrauterine device (IUD) are inserted into the uterus. Injectable contraceptives are however given by injection either into the large muscle in the bottom or in the upper arm and the contraceptive implant is fitted just under the skin on the inside of the upper arm."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)