Contraception and Sexual Health

Sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) are an increasingly common cause of infertility. Many women discover their fertility has been compromised by a sexually transmitted infection that they may not have been unaware of. Different methods of contraception offer different levels of protection from STI’s and unwanted pregnancies.

An important part of Nurture’s research is protecting sexual health and fertility from a young age and avoiding the devastating consequences of sexually transmitted infections. In New Zealand, young people under the age of 25 have the highest rates of Chlamydia and other STI’s. Alarmingly, the infection rate is soaring. Confirmed cases of Chlamydia diagnosed at Sexual Health Clinics and Family Planning Clinics increased by more than 20% between 2004 and 2005. Laboratory surveillance also revealed a 51.6% increase in Chlamydia infections from 2001 to 2005. The actual rate of infections is likely to be much higher, as a lack of symptoms means many young people will not be aware they have been infected.

To this end we are currently piloting a study of adolescent sexual and reproductive health.