A committee from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended that physicians should ask patients about sexual intercourse and non-coital sexual activities when counseling patients on STDs and STIs.  They point out activities such as oral sex and anal sex can spread diseases or infections, which is not new information.  However, now that we officially know people are probably doing non-coital activities, physicians should provide patient education to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.  Excuse me?

Non-Coital Sex Activity Abstract

Did I miss something here?  Isn't that what physician's do?  I didn't think a highly trained doctor would spend years learning about our bodies then compartmentalize intercourse and "OTHER" activities!  Isn't patient education about STDs and STIs patient education and how to prevent them, no matter what you're doing - standard missionary or a romping 69?  Oh - I'm also assuming doctors actually talk to people about this.

Bottom Line

Perhaps my 40 year old memory fails me, but I do not recall ONE doctor in my life talking to me about how to prevent STDs or STIs.  I vividly remember the day in 5th grade we saw The Movie!  I felt so special that I reached the "birds and the bees" coming of age rite but I don't recall any fear of blisters or frothy discharge!  I remember the book my mom handed me when I thought I was bleeding to death in 6th grade -nothing on diseases.    I remember a family member taking me to the doctor at 16 to get on birthcontrol whether I was having sex or not.  That doctor didn't talk about sex, the consequences of pregnancy, more or less STDs or STIs.  (If he did I was too mortified to remember it!)   Regular visits to OB/GYN doctors varied and would have the standard "Are you sexually active or pregnant?" question to which you replied a shy "yes" and a "I hope not."  But that was the extent of it.  Maybe they'd ask "Do you have any questions?"  Uh, because an 17 year old can really ask if swallowing semen is ok?

They certainly didn't tell you that if you gave a man oral sex you could get a disease.  They didn't tell you if you experimented with women you could get a disease.  They also didn't tell you that a fever blister could transmit the Herpes HSV-1 virus to the genitals and cause HSV-2 genital herpes.  So while I commend big agencies for making blanket public statements that keep us healthier sexually; I also want to say you're a bit SLOW!

This should have come out when Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky did!  Although we do not have conclusive evidence there is an increase in oral sexual behavior, there are enough studies and trends to indicate this is likely.  Just like we know people are still having sex, and lots of it.  Not sure if this is true?  Well, we still have alarming rates of unwanted pregnancies.  The HIV rates continue to rise as well as other infections off and on, such as Syphillis or Gonorrhea.  It seems obvious that in an era of HIV/AIDS fear and rising STD/STI incidences that people would be doing other things right along with all that sex! 

Sex Education

So what is my point?  Sex education... it all goes back to sex education!  Something McCain and Palin have very staunch beliefs about I might add.  First of all I don't think the ACOG should have to tell its OB/GYN docs to discuss ALL sexual activities more or less how to prevent STD/STIs!  Isn't this a given?    Secondly, I think it's great they are reminding them because we know it isn't happening in the schools or homes like it should!  If it WAS, then we wouldn't have 65 million people in the USA with and STD or STI.

65 Million people in USA have STD/STIs

I'm absolutely for the inherent message in the article Addressing Health Risks of Noncoital Sexual Activity.  It points out critical facts like unprotected receptive anal sex is very risky when compared to unprotected oral sex.  Yes, that's right guys and gals you should be sliding on that banana flavored condom before you eat your favorite banana - IF you choose to have SAFER SEX.  Note the underlined "-er" because nowadays, the ONLY real SAFE sex is no sex or self sex- by yourself.  Since we can't talk about SEX in schools under the current (and possible future) abstinence only Rebuplican dictatorship, we certainly aren't going to talk about young people masturbating as a healthy safe-sex activity!

Bottom Line:  People are having sex and lots of it.  This "sex" includes everything... mutual masturbation, oral sex, anal sex, sex toys, multiple partners, same sex experimentation or partnership, anonymous sex - you name it and they are doing it!  Not only should we talk about and educate people about sex; sex education should include EVERY activity and NOT be left to one source!  It should happen at HOME, at SCHOOL and in the DOCTORS office!  How about we REALLY stretch ourselves and include Big Media to incorporate condom use, conversations between want-to-be lovers on STD/STIs?  Unfortunately seeing Brad Pitt ask Angelina if she has herpes before he takes her in the steamy Mr. & Mrs. Smith sex scene isn't going to sell tickets quite the same way.  At least not in the near future.

Until we all come to terms that sex is natural and healthy and embrace ALL of its many  complexities we'll continue to watch babies have babies, predators prey sexually on children; and people  DIE from a sexually transmitted disease or infection.  Maybe something to consider before you hit the polls this year!