Onlyfans, porn, and the decline in condom use among teens.
Can the influence of pornography, OnlyFans, and so-called “natural family planning” techniques explain the decline in condom use by teenagers?
YMCA sexual health teacher Sarah Peart said some boys were reluctant to use them “because they’re not seeing it in pornography or movies”.
She said young girls are often “targeted on social media” by those advocating hormone-free, period-tracking apps to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
Young people have also said that the controversial OnlyFans adult content creators, who made headlines after claiming to have sex with multiple young men in one day, set bad examples.
Footage also surfaced of one of the Only Fans creators saying that he had not used a condom during oral sex, putting him at risk of HIV.
“We have many young people who say “natural family planning” is their main form of contraception,” Ms Peart said. She said the lack of positive role models and influential people was a challenge for those providing sex education.
Instead, YMCA sessions in schools, colleges and youth services attempt to provide information, bust myths, discuss healthy relationships, but also convey the message that pregnancy is not the only risk.
“It’s very hard to explain to young people that birth control is not enough, and you need to protect yourself from STIs (sexually transmitted infections).”
He added that they would also point out that “natural family planning” is not always reliable, “especially at an age when periods are not regular and young people are not the most strict about keeping notes”.
“Our sessions also include pornography and OnlyFans sometimes comes across as a part of that.
“We strive to educate youth to make their own healthy choices – and hopefully that doesn’t just involve opening a fan account, but just providing the education we can.
When BBC Wales asked young people for their views, while many were uncomfortable speaking in public, most said that buying condoms was considered too embarrassing.
Liz Vieira, 20, from Llandysul, Ceredigion, said condom use has declined – reported by World Health Organization – Not surprising given the prominence of adult content creators and their attitude toward risk.
“I think it’s up to them, but as long as it doesn’t mean that women are going to have a harder time in relationships. Because it sends a message that it’s okay to use women as they want. I Don’t think that’s a good thing,” he said.
Mason Down and Dylan Steggles, from Cardiff, said sex education at school was also limited.
“We only had two days of school,” said 18-year-old Dylan. “And it was only an hour or two each time.”
“There’s more[pornographic]content online now, so you can access it more easily at a younger age, which can influence young people’s thinking about condoms,” Mason said.
Sessions given by the YMCA for young people include information on the C-Card scheme which is a supported service across the UK, providing training on sexual health awareness, as well as free condoms, lubrication and dental dams .
“Condoms are really expensive, so it’s a great service to make them accessible, but also acceptable, and not in some weird, dark hidden corner of pub toilets,” Ms Peart said.
She is aware of fears that the scheme could be seen as encouraging early sex, but research shows that more information at an earlier age is likely to delay this.
“We try to convince them to wait until they’re at least 16. But if they’re going to do it, we can make sure they can do it safely.”
The World Health Organization recently reported that 56% of 15-year-old girls and 49% of boys in Wales had not used a condom the last time they had sex.
This comes amid a rise in STIs in the past year: 22% in chlamydia, 127% in gonorrhea, and 14% in syphilis.
Ellie Whalen and Megan Grimley, both 21, and Cardiff, said the move away from condoms surprised them because most of their peers had turned away from the pill or the coil as a form of contraception.
Using the Long-acting, reversible contraceptive – such as intra-uterine devices or hormonal implants – has fallen 22% over the past five years, with terminations rising by a third.
“I think it has to do with misinformation or bad experiences — or people being too afraid to get information and talk about it,” Megan said.
How do I know if I have an STI?
Testing is the best way to find out if you have a sexually transmitted infection.
The Sexual Health Wales service offers a free testing kit for people over 16 which can be sent and returned by post, or collected from community locations.
Sexual health clinics throughout Wales also provide testing and support.
Remember that it may take several weeks for tests to show infection after exposure.
HIV takes seven weeks to be detected, hepatitis C and B can take 12 weeks or more to be detected, and chlamydia and gonorrhea can appear within a fortnight.
But this isn’t just an issue for young adults. Ms Peart said YMCA sessions explain the range of contraception available, but most classes also have a teacher in the back taking notes, especially because there is a gap in STI knowledge “at a national, societal level”.
According to Zoe Couzens of Public Health Wales, this is also reflected in an increase in sexually transmitted infections in the over-40s, as people enter new relationships after divorce or bereavement.
“And I’m not putting any upper age on that – we have a 72-year-old man with chlamydia,” she said.
“It is about ensuring that the message reaches all age groups.
“But the issue for women in particular is that pregnancy is no longer a concern for them, so they are not taking precautions.
“So this is another group that needs to be educated.”
The rise in cases is likely a result of an increase in free testing ‘Test and Post’ Public Health Wales’ service has made this more accessible.
“Chlamydia is the most common in Wales, followed by gonorrhea – and although it can be treated with antibiotics, gonorrhea is a nasty little bug which is developing resistance to antibiotics.
“Twenty years ago we had two cases of syphilis in Wales – last year it was 507.
“It is a silent infection, but it can develop into neurosyphilis and cause heart problems.”
Given that other STIs can cause infertility, pain, and pelvic inflammatory disease, the perception that they can be easily treated is one many professionals want to tackle.
How do you get a sexually transmitted infection?
- chlamydia It is spread through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex, sharing sex toys or genital-to-genital contact.
- gonorrhea Can be spread through oral, vaginal, or anal sex without a condom or by sharing sex toys
- hiv The infection is passed into body fluids such as semen, vaginal or rectal secretions, blood, and breast milk, and the most common way to transmit it is by having sex without a condom or sharing drug equipment.
- syphilis Spread during unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex, or through sharing sex toys, and it is also possible to be passed from mother to child
- herpes It is highly contagious and is spread through skin-to-skin contact such as vaginal, anal or oral sex, sharing sex toys or oral sex with someone who has a cold sore.
- genital warts Shared by skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal or anal sex and sharing sex toys.
What are the symptoms of STI?
Chlamydia: It is often described as a silent infection because most people do not have obvious symptoms. Symptoms may include pain when urinating, abnormal discharge from the vagina, penis, or rectum. Women may experience abdominal pain, bleeding during or after sex, and between periods, while men may experience pain and swelling in the testicles.
Gonorrhea: Some people have no symptoms, but those who do have symptoms may have a yellow or green discharge; There is a burning sensation when they urinate and pain or tenderness in the abdomen.
Syphilis: Many people will not have symptoms. But for those who do, it will start with a small, painless ulcer in the mouth or genitals, followed by a rash. If left untreated, infection can result in vision loss, dementia, and death. During pregnancy, it can also cause miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death.
Herpes: Again, some people have no symptoms, but they may include small blisters that burst and leave red, open sores around the genitals, rectum, thighs, and buttocks. Blisters and ulcers may also occur on the cervix; This can cause vaginal discharge, pain when urinating, as well as common flu-like symptoms.
genital warts: In women, they start out as small, gritty lumps that become larger. In men, warts will feel hard and raised with a rough surface. They may be single warts or develop in clusters.