Talk to your doctor about your sexual health

Shaving your pubic hair increases your risk of getting infected with an STD as explained by a research done on 7,500 adults. As per the findings of the study, your grooming preferences may imply that you get exposed to more STDs.

The study discovered a positive correlation between those who from time to time groom their pubic hair and those nursing an STD. As of those who fell into the category of non-groomers, nearly 8 percent reported that they have never suffered from an STD while for the groomers, 14 percent reported they have at one time suffered from an STD.

Extreme groomers are those who fully wiped out all their pubic hair over 11 times per year. This group saw 18 percent report they have had an STD (s) while the high-frequency groomers (those who partially trimmed on a weekly basis) recorded 15 percent of STDs cases. The low-frequency groomer’s category was made up of those who trimmed less often and their rate of infection was 14 percent. The STDs investigated are lice, HPV, HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis and lice of which the rates were true in all the infections.

Grooming, a surrogate to sexual activity

The study authors attempted to explain the findings saying that grooming causes micro tears in the skin through which bacteria or viruses find passage. That then ups the risk of infection during a sexual intercourse.

There is also the possibility of groomers sharing the tools thus transferring the STDs. Then the idea of reverse casualty weighed in here. This means that a person infected with an STI stood higher chances of taking up grooming.

Most groomers of both sexes reported using some sort of razor as their tool. Scissor usage was also common, which is also easy to be shared. Only 5 percent of women and 0 percent of men reported waxing habits.

They said that “Grooming is known to be a surrogate for sexual activity and could prompt physicians to inquire about safer sex practices if evidence of grooming is seen on physical examination. Alternatively, if grooming-induced epidermal micro tears are found to increase STI risk, then groomers could be counseled to reduce their amount or frequency of grooming, or to delay sexual activity after grooming, to allow the skin to re-epithelise.” they are also advised to undergo regular STD tests to ascertain the cases.

Talk to your sexual life

Considering that sex and grooming has become an essential part of our lives, it is important to talk to your doctor about it. As Dr Daniel Atkinson GP puts it, "Thinking about discussing sex is more frightening than actually doing it, and the reactions we're fearful of very rarely occur,” and so you have no reason to be afraid.

This kind of conversation will help you lead a more sexually healthy life, whether grooming or not. Talking about sexual problems may alert the doctor to other medical conditions a patient may have. In addition, insist of taking STD tests from time and again, even if you trust your partner or feel healthy. 

 

Contributor: admin