In Malta, until a couple of years ago, sex education was aimed to terrify rather than inform. The emphasis of the subject’s curriculum focused mainly on abstinence and not getting pregnant. Thankfully this is changing and moving towards a more comprehensive view of the sex education where young people are provided with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to make appropriate and healthy choices about their sexual health and that of their sexual partners.
It is important that we teach our kids about contraception, being safe during sex, giving and receiving sexual consent and the importance of sexual pleasure. As a sex therapist, one of the regular difficulties that I face in clinic is a lack of knowledge about how our body works physiologically and anatomically. Most of us do not know much about the sexual response cycle and the processes of sexual arousal and desire. Moreover, I regularly find a lack of knowledge about how Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) are transmitted and how to keep safe once sexually active.
It is very important that we realise that for sexually active individuals contacting an STI can be a common occurrence as illness and infections are a part of life and can happen. It is important that we help diminish the stigma and shame surrounding sexually transmitted infections because we need more individuals to get tested regularly and speak up when they have an infection. Reducing the discomfort and embarrassment about STI’s can reduce the unpleasant side effects of untreated disease and reduce risk of transmission and contracting the disease.
Unfortunately, despite all the studies carried out on the subject, a number of individuals still see an STI’s as the consequence of being promiscuous and of “sleeping around”. In our culture, were religion and a ‘purity culture’ still permeate collective thought, we still talk about having an STI as “feeling dirty”, “tainted” or “marked with sin”.
HPV: one of the most common sexually transmitted infections:
There are more than 100 varieties of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and it is estimated that 4 out of 5 of those who are sexually active can get HPV in their lifetime. Some types of this virus can be high risk and cause changes to the cells in the cervix, which can lead to cervical cancer if not treated. These abnormal cells are picked up by a simple smear test carried out by your doctor or gynaecologist.
A research study carried out with over 2000 women indicates that there is stigma around this common infection, which can be passed on during sex and is linked to cancer. This study carried out by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in 2019 indicates that this shame and stigma associated with the infection which can keep women from doing regular smear tests and getting tested.
Unfortunately, genital HPV is not only transmitted through sexual intercourse. Intimate genital touching and oral sex can also pass this virus as it lives on the skin. The good news is that our immune system tends to get rid of HPV without any need for medical treatment. However, some strains of HPV are more resistant and can cause genital warts and changes to the cervical cells which if not treated can lead to cancer.
In Malta our teenage daughters are getting vaccinated against the most harmful of HPV viruses. However, if the boys can be carriers of the disease, why are they not vaccinated as well? HPV does not only affect women, but can also cause cancers in men including anal and penile cancer. Therefore, a programme of HPV vaccination for teenage boys can help the sexual well-being of all.
What can we do to take charge of our sexual health without shame?
There is a fine line between “I will never get an STI because I am careful” to “This is happening to everyone so we should not care or feel ashamed”. There is a middle ground where sexually activity is carried out as safely as possible, visits and tests to the GU clinic are done regularly and we focus on sexual pleasure, consent, staying safe and keeping others safe.
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Anna Catania (M.Cons. PG(Dip) Psychosexual and relationship therapy is a warranted counsellor specialised in the area if sex and relationships. She provides counselling to individuals and couples who are having difficulties with sexuality, relationships and intimacy.
Click here to check out Anna’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
