Let's talk about sex-ual health

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View this email online Becky Harlan/NPR Hi all,  April is STI Awareness Month. With over 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections estimated each year in the United States, put simply, they are very common. So common that the American Sexual Health Association says one in two sexually active people will get an STI by age 25.  It’s important that people get tested and treated for STIs (and have access to those services in the first place). But beyond testing and treatment, how do you talk about STIs with sexual partners? When and how do you disclose that you have one? How do you know what level of risk you’re comfortable with? These topics might feel uncomfortable or even unfamiliar.  Whatever level of comfort and information you’re coming to the proverbial STI table with – we have tools to help you start talking more openly and honestly about sexual health.  In a recent Life Kit interview (which you can watch on YouTube!), Dr. Evalene Dacker laid out her S.T.A.R.S framework – an acronym she shares with patients for discussing sex and sexual health. I like that her framework goes beyond the nuts and bolts of sexual health, like using barriers during sex or disclosing STI information, and helps people consider their limits and desires. It’s helpful to have a roadmap for talking about sex because, for something that can be so fun, it can be pretty awkward to discuss.  VIDEO: How to talk about STIs Newsletter continues after sponsor message You don’t have to bring up the S.T.A.R.S acronym directly with a partner, but using these prompts to think through your wants and needs can make it "much easier to communicate that with somebody — and communicate it early in the relationship," says Dacker. Life Kit’s Marielle Segarra and Dacker actually walk through how to talk about STIs in their conversation if you want to watch an example.  The S.T.A.R.S Framework for conversations around sexual health and intimacy: Sexual health: For example, when were you last tested for STIs? Which STIs were you tested for? Have you tested positive for one? Turn-ons: What are you into sexually? What would you be open to trying and when? Avoids: What would you like to avoid? Maybe you don't want to be physically intimate if you have had too much to drink, for example. Relationship intentions and expectations: Maybe you're looking for a monogamous relationship. Or maybe you’re more interested in a casual, consistent connection.  Safety needs: Share what you need to feel safe, physically and emotionally. For example, maybe you’re not comfortable spending the night together yet.  Dacker says the best time to raise the topic of STIs with a potential sexual partner is before your clothes come off (though, of course, it's never too late to discuss sexual health and boundaries.) One thing Dacker stressed is that STIs are just one of the risks we take on in relationships. “Some of the hardest things that people give you are not STIs. It could be broken hearts,” she says. We take a chance because the benefits are worth the risks. Hopefully, with S.T.A.R.S, you can manage those risks.  -Clare Marie Schneider, Life Kit Producer   ⬇ Keep scrolling for more tips from Life Kit. Access Sponsor-Free Episodes Want to support our show? Try a subscription to Life Kit+ and get all the tips and tricks you love sponsor-free! Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit.  Learn More More from Life Kit on sex and sexual health: 💊 How to pick an effective birth control. Between pills, patches, IUDs, implants, shots and condoms, picking a form of birth control can be overwhelming. It involves understanding how birth control works, your preferences, side effects and more. We lay out the facts so you can choose the contraception that works for you. 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Sex education often leaves out queer people. Here's what to know. School health classes in the U.S. rarely include instruction about sex for LGBTQ students. Here's what that could look like. ⚡️ Touch and pleasure are essential: Learn how to give them to yourself. Human touch is essential. Figuring out what feels good to you, from a long hot bath to something more intimate, can be the first step to getting that much-needed touch. (Yes, this episode includes discussions of sex and sexuality.) 🤝 Navigating consent is all about communication. Everyone has different boundaries. In this episode, we'll talk about what consent is and how to get clear about what you're comfortable with. 💛 What your teen wishes you knew about sex education. It can be challenging to have conversations about sex and relationships with teens. Life Kit has a few tips to help make those talks your kids feel more comfortable. And we have an episode about talking to younger children about the birds and the bees, too!  We want to hear your advice! 🌸 🧵 💻 🌱 🚲  Do you have tips for living more sustainably while also saving money? Maybe you mend your clothes or participate in a buy-nothing group. Email your favorite tips to lifekit@npr.org with the subject line “Sustainable” by Friday, April 14, and include your full name and location. We may feature your answer in a story on NPR.org or an upcoming episode! Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: LifeKit@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Life Kit emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy