By San Knew
Life at times can seem to be a numbers game. We budget our time, money and even our health by the numbers. In a way, numbers can act as a system of checks and balances for us – which may explain why they become such an intricate part of lives. I’ve noticed just how much this column comes to rely on numbers. Here is a compellation of a few given over the last year. If any of them spark further, or renew, your interest – feel free to visit the online archives of “Who Knew?” on www.FloridaAgenda.com.
The Female Condom – Changing the rules of the game
“In a report that summarized a study done on 100 men who have sex with men using the female condom, negative experiences included difficulty inserting (33%), irritation (17%), bunching up (12%), unpleasant texture (10%), and noise (9%). Breakage was reported 3 times in 334 episodes of use.”
“Oral” Hygiene
“The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a case study in Chicago linking 13.7% of syphilis cases being contracted orally.”
“But be aware that most mouthwashes have an alcohol level of 6.6% to 26.9% that could be almost four times as much as a bottle of beer or a glass of wine.”
Male on Male Sexual Assault
“An estimated 12% of case victims are in the age range of 25 and older.”
A Bed’s Tale – What’s on the sheets may be as important as what happens between them.
“What you’re missing might put you in danger of becoming one of the three hundred million plus people in the world that contract ‘Sarcoptes Scabiei Var. Hominis’ or what’s more commonly referred to as ‘scabies.’”
Sex – It’s Not All Bad
“The publication attributes somewhere between 120 to 235 calories for kissing, approximately 8 calories for undressing and an actual orgasm can burn as many as 100 calories.”
“So there you have it, no mention of the 19 million new sexually transmitted infections (STI) reported each year, nor the $14.7 billion spent on STI related healthcare costs.”
Toxic Relationships: Bug Chasers and Gift Givers
“Though the compilation of these two groups is a very small subset of the population, they have developed a culture of their own, including ‘conversation parties.’ This is one means in which HIV+ men and those looking to be infected can meet.”
“Save the Tatas “– Male Breast Cancer
“The mild growth does put men at a 1 in 1000 chance of developing one of the five types of breast cancers.”
“Gay and bisexual men are 17% more likely to develop anal cancer.”
Three letters that can change your life – and they’re not what you think. HPV (human papillomavirus)
“For gay and bisexual men, it can be a secret killer.
There are 6.2 millions cases in the US each year and over one hundred strains of the virus, forty of which are transmitted sexually.”
The Doctor Is In, But Are You Out?
“New York’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a study showing that 4 in 10 gay men were not out to their doctor.”
Those Crazy Gays…
“For example, one study showed 83 % of transgender people had considered suicide, and 54 % had actually attempted it.”
Talking Dirty: How to Negotiate Safe Sex
“Needless to say, our inhibitions and judgment are impaired with either drugs or alcohol. Studies report that 60% of STDs are transmitted when the partners are under the influence.”
Sam Knew, MSW is an educator and a local counselor. He can be reached at samknewmsw@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/samknew