Sex Infection Openness Key To Successful Relationships

05 March 2010

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Young people say sex infection openness is key to long relationship'

In a government survey it has been revealed that young people think open and honest conversations about their sex lives signal that a relationship will last.

The government-funded poll which studied the results of question to in excess of 1,200 15 to 24-year-olds found talking about sexual infections and a person's sexual past as key, putting it above meeting their respective partners parents in importance as a sign of a relationship getting serious.

But on a negative not over 70% admitted that they did not talk about sexually transmitted diseases before having sex with a new partner, and 30% said they felt uncomfortable asking a new partner to use a condom.

The research, which was conducted on behalf of the government's "Sex. Worth Talking About" campaign, provides a snapshot of the milestones that this generation think important for a lasting relationship.

Top of the list was "talking openly together about sexual history and discussing sexually transmitted infections tests together", which 70% thought important.

This was ahead of "meeting the parents", which is still a significant factor at 66%, while "not always having to wear make-up", was listed by 47%. Lower down the scale of indicators was "meeting friends", 40%, and "being given space in the cupboard to leave clothes", 30%.

The survey while showing that young people valued openness about sexual diseases, many were too embarrassed to talk frankly with their partners. Half of respondents thought that a new partner who was unwilling to discuss these topics would not be around for long, a quarter confessed they were too embarrassed to talk to their partner about safe sex, sexually transmitted infections and contraception.

Relate the relationship charity say they are not surprised that people thought openness about sexual health was important for the success of a relationship. with a spokesperson quoted as saying "If people are not intimate enough to be open about this, the relationship is unlikely to go far." Adding the findings were both "encouraging" and "depressing".

"The fact that discussion of sexual infection is so high up young peoples' agenda is really good," she said.

They did express at the survey indicating that this was still an embarrassing topic, even among today's generation of kids who expect a high degree of openness in their relationships".

Dr Catherine Hood, spokesperson for the "Sex. Worth Talking About" campaign, said: "These findings reveal much about the modern relationship game.

"While many young couples realise the significance of being able to talk openly about accepting tests for sexually transmitted infections, sheer embarrassment is preventing them from doing so, and potentially risking their sexual health as well as the future of their relationship."

She stressed the importance of young people being tested for chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection which often doesn't have any symptoms.

"If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to infertility and other serious health problems, and so it's vital that new couples take responsibility for their own sexual health by talking openly about safe sex," she added.

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