Health issues and maintaining good health needs to be a concern every month.  Many issues of one’s health are not thought of until the illness is spotlighted.  April recognizes Alcohol Awareness Month all month long.  Although excessive drinking affects both sexes, when they drink to excess, the effects are different between the genders when the same amount of alcohol is ingested.  Women have more health risks due to binge drinking or excessive risky behavior due to alcohol.  For both sexes, alcohol decreases inhibitions, and with excessive use comes an increase of sexually transmitted diseases as unprotected sex occurs more often when a high alcohol content is partaken.  The CDC has increased research to bring attention to health issues when alcohol use among adults and youth.

Man versus Woman

When the genders consume the same amount of alcohol, women absorb more alcohol than do men.  For women the immediate effects of alcohol gives increased impairment and the effects last longer than the same amount drank by men. Martini and Alcohol at a Bar Women on birth control tend to have a greater length of time with alcohol impairment due to the slower rate the alcohol leaves the body.  Binge drinking increases not only the risk of sexual assault for women, but also the risk of sexually transmitted diseases from unplanned sexual encounters in which a condom is not used.

Intentional (and Unintentional) Unprotected Sex

Alcohol use and especially binge drinking increases the chance of unprotected sex to occur for women and men and the sexual partners.  Both sexes are at risk for unprotected sex with multiple partners and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases from not using a condom and being impaired from the alcohol intake of the evening.  Studies have shown that alcohol use decreases condom use or the condoms are used improperly during sexual acts.  Women are at a higher risk than even men having sex with men on acquiring an STD that goes undetected and ignored but will continue to be spread to other sexual partners should unprotected sexual encounters continue through a binge weekend of partying and beyond to the next sexual encounter.

How your age plays a factor

Age of those consuming alcohol also plays a part in the use of condoms during sex.  The younger the person was that had alcohol consumption, the less likely a condom was used.  Those participants in partying and binging were more likely to use a condom when they are single vs. married.  Unless the married binger was stepping out, this relationship is monogamous and the least likely to transmit a STD to a partner unless one of the partners suffers from herpes or other STDs that can be spread during an active outbreak.

Education

April has health centers offering more education on the link of alcohol to the increase numbers of sexually transmitted diseases.  Those between the ages of 18 to 25 years of age are at a greater risk of acquiring an STD when alcohol is part of the equation for the party.  Some bingers of alcohol may also participate in other illicit drugs that increase the chance of risky behaviors as well as unprotected sexual encounters.  Those that drink are at a greater risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease than those that do not drink, no matter the age group.

The CDC recommends annual STD testing for those that are sexually active.  April with Alcohol Awareness Month education is also looking into the risks associated with drinking to excess and binging that contributes to other health issues and problems for one’s health in the future.  Any one participating in unprotected sexual encounters should seek to have STD testing at a local testing center or other health care center available.  Women that have gone on a binger and had sexual relations should seek STD testing to maintain health for future partners, as well as their own sexual health for years to come.  This goes the same for men that participate in unprotected sex while drinking to maintain sexual health for the future experiences and to have annual STD testing done with a STD testing center or health care provider.  April and its highlighting alcohol awareness brings a lot to the forefront.  Education is essential on alcohol consumption along with the health issues that are a part of the risky behaviors that young people participate in while drinking and binging.  Health care centers and STD testing centers are available year round to answer questions about drinking issues, STD testing and health concerns to assist in maintaining good health every day of one’s life.

Leave a comment