GYT, what does that mean? Can you come up with an acronym that fits those three letters? Well I sat around and made up many different acronyms that weren’t even close to what it actually stands for. I know what GYT stands for and I am going to share some fun information about GYT and what it means in April.

GYT?

• Get Yourself Tested

MTV (Music Television) and Planned Parenthood are teaming up to encourage youth to go and get tested for STI’s. During the month of April, National STD Awareness is recognized through GYT and there are several ways to get involved.

1. Go online and visit www.gytnow.org/. This is a link to one of MTV’s pages that has a lot of information pertaining to GYT. Including facts about why you should get tested, tool kits to promote GYT, and a fun interactive sweepstakes that you could possibly win.
2. Visit www.plannedparenthood to help you find the nearest health center near you. That way you can be tested ASAP.

3. Get Yourself Tested and know what your status is.

Many Americans were shocked  in 2008 when the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) announced that  at least one in four teenage girls has an STI. They have also estimated that there are approximately 19 million new cases each year amongst youth ages 15-24 (http://www.cdc.gov/Features/STDAwareness/).

GYT?

• Get Yourself Talking

Not only does GYT mean get tested, it also means to talk about getting tested. Spreading the awareness and knocking down the walls that make some people shy away from talking about their sexual status is also important. How would anyone know whether or not you want to be tested if you don’t say anything? How will your partner trust that you’ve been tested? You have to talk about it. Yes this conversation can get a little awkward at first, but it’s something that must be discussed. Talking about getting tested and knowing your status can help protect others and yourself from contracting unknown STI’s.

What’s to come next…?

• Each week in April has a message, a message you will learn.
• Fun Tweets and Facebook status updates to follow
• A challenge to GYT and help spread the word, not the STI.

Here is where you can follow GYT on Twitter:

• www.twitter.com/gytnow

The link to the GYT Facebook

• · www.facebook.com/GYTnow

Discover more facts about STD Awareness month at the CDC website:

• · http://www.cdc.gov/Features/STDAwareness/

Don’t miss out on this year’s GYT movement. Join MTV and Planned Parenthood so you can say know what GYT stands for and know how important those three words are

The first time my primary care doctor suggested I get a Pap test, also called a Pap smear, I had no clue what she was talking about and why she was advising me to be tested. My world caved in because I thought she was indicating I was unhealthy. Little did I know that a Pap test was something many of my friends were getting done.

A Pap test is a routine exam for screening for cervical cancer.  Women should get routine screening to help them avoid getting cervical cancer, which is caused by a common sexually transmitted infection, human papilloma virus (HPV).

About 1 out of 4 women will get the types of HPV that are related to cervical cancer in her lifetime.  Routine cervical cancer screening and early detection has helped to save lives. Today, only 1 out of 1,000 women who contracts cancer-related HPV will develop full-blown cervical cancer.

When should you receive your first Pap smear?

Leading women’s health authorities suggest that routine Pap testing begin at age 21 or three years after first vaginal intercourse. Women should have a Pap test every year until they are 30.  From age 30 on, Pap tests can happen every two or three years.

Why you should have a Pap smear test performed yearly is safe in early detection of cervical cancer. If the test results come back abnormal that does not mean you have cancer, but it can indicate cancerous or abnormal cells were detected. If cervical cancer is detected during its early stage it can be cured (http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/).

How can you avoid receiving an abnormal test?

Practice safe sex. The Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viruses in the United States and 50% of sexually active individuals contract this virus (http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/). HPV is linked to cervical cancer because if the virus remains in the body for long periods of time (years) it can cause the cancers found on the cervix.

My Advice.

If you haven’t received your first Pap smear or if it has been too long to remember your last Pap smear, I suggest you call your local health care provider and request a test at their soonest availability. The information provided on this blog is intended as a guideline. It is important to discuss your individual concerns with your health care provider. Everyone’s health history is different or unique. We encourage you to make health decisions in consultation with a trusted medical provider.

February is well known as the month of love due to society’s most loved and hated holiday, Valentine’s Day. However, very few of us know that February also includes National Condom Awareness Week, February 14-21.

You may know a thing or two about condoms. But are you aware of this.

• Decrease use of condoms by young people 15-24 years are the cause of increasing cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) and unintended pregnancies. This is a huge problem in America; 1.5 million people/youth were infected with chlamydia or gonorreah in 2008.
• Proper use of condoms also helps prevent HIV/AIDS which is becoming prevalent in the African American communities.
• Condom use can be 97% effective in protection again unplanned pregnancy.

But I’m sure you already knew this.

So I’m left to ask what the problem is with teens and young adult’s failure to use condoms.

One problem I see is the media only targeting males to purchase condoms. Many commercials and magazine ads only reach out the men with masculine messages like this ad, http://www.nationallampoon.com/files/2009/06/trojan-man.jpg. However, research shows young women being hit the hardest by STI’s and it’s nice to see ads targeted towards women like the Proper Attire Condoms, http://graphics.condom.com/Images/400JPG/CNP-ASTL-24H_400.jpg.

February also celebrates Black History and the history that black American teens are setting today may not want to be repeated in the history books. Research shows young black Americans are leading the charts in abortions, HIV, and unintended pregnancy. Contraceptive failure amongst the black community marks a problem that must be solved.

Condoms are nothing new, they come in a wide variety, and are accessible. You can find condoms at your local grocery stores, convenience stores, college campus clinics, or Planned Parenthood.

If you’re interested to know more please visit the below websites:

Everything you need to know about your health/sex- geared towards youth:

www.ppfa.org

Studies and statistics about reproductive health:

www.guttmacher.org

Specifics about STIs

www.cdc.gov/std/stats08/natoverview.htm