Sexually Transmitted Infections: Crash Course

By Lillian Bocquin | May 2, 2025

In the classroom, some of the most exciting information for young people are the lessons on sexually transmitted infections, STIs. 

It makes sense, as we are usually in science classes and this part of the curriculum talks about the spread of disease, viral load, medically accurate prevention measures, testing, etc. It’s applicable science and it’s something we talk about in detail because we know parents and other caregivers may not have all of the info. And, we know these young people may not be able to access a doctors office easily in order to ask their questions in a private setting.

It’s incredibly rewarding to see these young people love learning and problem solving through examples of real-life situations where there may be risk. These types of lessons prepare them for potentially risky situations later in life and set them on a path for healthy decision-making. 

Our lessons, which sometimes span over several days, include a bit more engaging material than we can include in a single blog post, but here is a crash course in what we consider the most important information for all people to have when it comes to sexually transmitted infections.

Crash Course Information on STIs

  1. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the same thing. We use STI for the reasons listed in this social media post but both terms are generally accepted!
  2. Some STIs are curable, meaning someone could take medicine and completely get rid of the infection. These include Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, and Pubic Lice.
  3. Some STIs are treatable but not curable, meaning when someone gets the disease they have it for life. These include HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), HPV (Human Papillomavirus), Herpes and Hepatitis B.
    1. Notice these all start with H, so if you forget which ones are curable vs. treatable, the ones starting with the letter H are treatable but not curable.
  4. Most STIs can be spread through oral sex, anal sex, or vaginal sex. Some can be spread through skin to skin contact, and some from mother to child during birth or breastfeeding.
  5. STIs can be prevented through abstinence – can’t get an STI if someone doesn’t have sex!
  6. STIs can be prevented through proper condom use – meaning consistent and correct use of the condoms!
  7. STIs cannot be prevented through use of contraception or birth control.
  8. If possible, getting tested between new partners can help prevent the spread of STIs and clearly track STI spread if it happens.
  9. STI testing may be offered for free at some clinics like Guiding Right, Teen Clinic, and Oklahoma City County Health Department. Some of these may only offer same-day appointments!
  10. STI testing usually doesn’t take more than 20 minutes in a doctors office to complete, but results may take longer to get back. Anywhere from 2 days to two weeks.
  11. STI tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and HPV in the throat (remember we said in #4 that oral sex can spread STIs) are done through a mouth swab.
  12. STI tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in the anus are done through rectal swabs.
  13. STI tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis in the vagina are done through vaginal tests.
  14. STI testing can also be done through blood tests. They don’t take much!
  15. Urine tests may also be used to diagnose trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and sometimes gonorrhea.
  16. It’s good practice to wait about 2 weeks after unprotected sex to get tested. Getting tested too early after unprotected sex may not yield accurate results.

Is everything we have mentioned here fully comprehensive? No! Because this is a crash course, the basics, and based on the most common questions we get in the classroom. If anyone has further questions, ask a health educator or doctor. STIs are preventable – it all starts with being educated.

Pro-Prevention Sexual Health

By Lillian Bocquin | August 26, 2022

If you have attended many sporting events,  you have likely seen the athletes warming up prior to the game. They do this to prevent potential injuries. No one argues whether this is unnecessary or good because, of course, keeping players healthy and safe should be a priority.

Teaching pro-prevention sexual health is the same. The goal is to take steps to prevent unintended consequences or outcomes that could be harmful to one’s health and well-being. When people realize sexual health education helps protect young people from preventable outcomes, it makes perfect sense. However, some people don’t know what a pro-prevention program looks like, so we’re going to review a few pro-prevention teaching ideas, why they are needed, and how effective these programs can be.

Unintended outcomes due to teen sexual activity might include pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unexpected or unwanted emotions. One way to prevent these unintended outcomes is through medically accurate and age appropriate education. Pro-prevention sexual health education includes learning about the biological changes, emotional influences, and social pressures that occur during adolescent development. The goal of sexual health education programs offered by Teen emPower! is to provide youth with accurate, unbiased information they can use to make healthy decisions for their future. They need to learn about their bodies and be able to protect themselves from unintended outcomes so they are prepared if/when they make the decision to become sexually active.

If understanding the fundamentals of a sport and having access to protective equipment is important to the well being of athletes — then understanding the fundamentals of sexual health and having access to protective equipment helps the well-being of young people, too.

Everyone needs this information, especially adolescents. In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the percentage of unintended pregnancies was 45% overall, with 75% of pregnancies being unintended among teens aged 15-19 years. In 2018, the CDC estimated 1 in 5 Americans age 15 and older had an STI. These two statistics demonstrate a need in our community that is not fully being met. Unintended teen pregnancies can cause lower graduation rates, bring financial hardship, and create emotional distress. And although some STIs can be cured, others can have life-long implications. 

Pro-prevention education is a key to positively impacting our youth, and Teen emPower! is a champion for that change in Central Oklahoma. Colorado has been a leader in the United States for implementing pro-prevention programs and guess what? It’s working. Although the state does not require sexual health education to be taught in schools, it does require sexual health education to be comprehensive, inclusive, and to cover consent when taught. Conversely, states that require abstinence-only education in schools typically see higher STI rates in their communities.

Let’s take it back to sports for a moment. When a gymnast prepares a new skill, a spotter should be present to prevent a harmful fall. Our programs and educators are like the spotter. They provide trusted adults to teach topics such as understanding reproductive anatomy, abstinence as a sure way to avoid unintended outcomes (when used properly), the characteristics of healthy relationships, and how to remain as safe as possible when engaging in sexual activity. With the right spotter in place, an athlete will eventually be able to recognize the safest moves on their own, as will the adolescents who receive effective sexual health education.

A sexual health education program, specifically one with a pro-prevention focus, empowers individuals to take control of their lives and stay healthy. While there are organizations promoting pro-prevention education in other states, Teen emPower! provides this effective and much-needed type of sexual health education right here in Oklahoma. And we do so proudly without judgment or shame.

We invite you to “suit up” and join our pro-prevention team! If you are interested in supporting our organization, you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and twitter. Our website can be used to further explore our program or make a donation. With your support, we can run the right plays and tackle unintended sexual health outcomes.