Dr. Ina Park, UCSF School of Medicine associate professor, discusses the rise of STDs, sexual networks and racial disparities, contact tracing, stigma surrounding STDs, vaginal microbiome, and advice for dealing with HPV in this engaging and informative podcast.
The increase in STDs can be attributed to factors such as the ease of finding sexual partners through dating apps and reduced fear of HIV due to effective treatment and prevention methods.
Reducing stigma around STIs and promoting accurate information and education are crucial in preventing the spread of STDs and promoting safe sexual practices.
Deep dives
Rising STD Cases and the Impact of the Pandemic
The podcast episode discusses the increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the US, particularly focusing on chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. It mentions that the CDC reported a record-high number of cases in 2019 and highlights the concern that the numbers for 2020 may not be much better due to diverted testing supplies and contact tracers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guest, Dr. Aina Park, explains some of the reasons behind the high STD rates, including the ease of finding sexual partners through apps like Tinder and Grindr, reduced fear of HIV due to effective treatment and prevention methods, and the impact of drug use, such as methamphetamine, in certain communities. The episode also touches on the potential for a surge in STD cases in 2021, as vaccinations increase and people become more sexually active again. It emphasizes the importance of access to testing and encourages open conversations about sexual health.
Challenges and Considerations in STD Prevention
Dr. Aina Park addresses various challenges and considerations in preventing the spread of STDs. She discusses the normalization of STIs and the need to reduce stigma around them. She highlights the importance of accurate information and education in combating misconceptions and promoting safe sexual practices. The episode also explores the role of contact tracers in managing the spread of STDs, drawing parallels between their work during the AIDS crisis and the current pandemic. Additionally, the conversation touches on the role of the vaginal microbiome in maintaining sexual health and the impact of hormone therapy on transgender individuals' microbiomes. The guest provides recommendations for testing frequency and emphasizes the value of early vaccination against HPV.
The Impact of Gender Norms and Slut-Shaming
The episode highlights the persistence of gender norms and the issue of slut-shaming, particularly affecting young women. The guest, Dr. Aina Park, expresses concern that society's attitudes towards female sexuality have not improved over the years, despite progress in other areas. She emphasizes the importance of promoting respectful, consensual, and sex-positive conversations and behaviors, both within individual families and within society as a whole. The episode also features insights from listeners, including questions about adolescent sexual health education and resources for teenagers navigating sexual relationships.
Resources and Testing for STDs
In response to listener questions, the episode provides various resources for individuals seeking discreet STD testing, including county health departments and Planned Parenthood locations. The guest, Dr. Aina Park, encourages individuals to take advantage of confidential testing services offered by health departments and emphasizes the importance of frequent testing, especially for high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men. The discussion highlights the availability of testing options and the confidentiality of such services, fostering an environment that promotes accessible and stigma-free sexual health care.
The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show sexually transmitted diseases are at an all-time high for the sixth year in a row. In her new book, Strange Bedfellows: Adventures in the Science, History, and Surprising Secrets of STDs, UCSF School of Medicine associate professor Dr. Ina Park says it's easier for people to have sex than to talk about it. She takes a fact-based--often humorous--look at sexually transmitted diseases, from gonorrhea to herpes to HIV. We talk with Park about sex, STDs and take your questions.
