The Growing Burden of Sexually Transmitted Infections

By Edward C. Geehr, M.D., Lifescript Chief Medical Officer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published two analyses that examine the severe human and economic impact of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S. The CDC estimates that there are 20 million new infections each year that burden the health-care system with nearly $16 billion in medical expenses. (STI is the generally accepted terminology for what was once called an STD, or sexually transmitted disease.) 

Young people, ages 15-24, account for half of all new STIs, even though they represent only 25% of the sexually active population. The number of new infections roughly affects men and women equally. 

The CDC analyzed data from 2008 on eight common STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B (HBV), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis, and trichomoniasis.

There was both good and bad news.

How can we as a couple handle the sexual cravings before we get married?

By Gary Chapman
Q: “We are a Christian engaged couple growing in our walk with God. However, we are not virgins and this is the first time both us are actively pursuing abstinence under Gods leadership. We have confessed all of our past histories to each other and are pursuing individual accountability partners. Since we’re engaged is it wrong to look forward to the physical stuff? We are both very much attracted to each other and enjoy looking at each other. Our combined love language is physical touch. We know this will be brilliant when we’re married. But right now, it’s pure torture. We both are aware that we’re living the consequences of our previous sin because we know what sex is like. The pure torture bit is this: Lusting over a man/woman equals bad. Lusting over spouse equals excellent. We very much feel stuck in the no man’s land here. Our wedding is 7 months away and the last thing we want to do is elope because we cracked. We want our testimony to mean something for other people struggling with the no sex thing and most of all we want to honor God. Is there anything else we can do to help us remain pure and keep our testimony?