The perfect time to talk about condoms

National Condom Week is Feb. 14-21 and Planned Parenthood of Hawaii’s Kauai Health Center and Malama Pono are encouraging sexually active individuals to talk with their partners about the importance of using condoms to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy. With over 16,000 unintended pregnancies occurring each year in Hawaii and climbing STI rates, it is important to remember that condoms are the only form of contraception that prevent pregnancy and help reduce the risk of STIs. They’re also one of the least expensive and most readily accessible!

Many people who have a sexually transmitted infection don’t even realize it since many STIs have no immediate symptoms. This Valentine’s Day, let your partner know that you want to use condoms every time you have sex – so you can both stay healthy.

Did you know that Hawaii teens’ condom use is the lowest in the country? It’s important to remember that, no matter what age you are, you are always at risk of contracting an STI. Continuous condom use helps protect your health and well-being — no matter how old you are or where you are in life.

Planned Parenthood of Hawaii’s Kauai Health Center and Malama Pono are here to help make conversations between you and your partner about condom use easier. We have resources and information at our Health Center and on our website about how to use condoms correctly and how to talk about condom use with your partner. Feb. 14 is not only Valentine’s Day but also marks the occasion of One Billion Rising, a worldwide event sponsored by the YWCA and Kauai Community College to raise awareness about violence against women and girls. Stop by the Malama Pono booth, pick up some free condoms, and demonstrate respect for both yourself and your partner — remember, there’s no shame in taking care!

Planned Parenthood of Hawaii’s Kauai Health Center is based in the Malama Pono office and is open every Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All services are provided on a walk-in basis and patients are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis. We provide sexual and reproductive health services that do not require a medical exam, including birth control education and supplies, emergency contraception (morning-after pill), pregnancy testing and counseling, HIV and chlamydia/gonorrhea testing and treatment, TG services and the HPV vaccine. Malama Pono provides HIV, hepatitis B/C testing, STI referrals and counseling from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

• Cynthia Chiang is Planned Parenthood of Hawaii’s Kauai Health Center Health Educator and Health Care Associate. Contact her at cchiang@pphi.org to schedule a sexual health presentation and/or training. Public education materials are available by request.