The sexologist of 'Malegría', on the increase of STDs: "Putting on a condom is a matter of two"

The association has clarified that "there is an upward trend in sexual transmissions", but stressed that education should be done "without fear of contagion", in the words of one of the association's sexologists, Cleia Montesdeoca García.

Eider Pascual

Journalist

August 2 2024 (21:21 WEST)
Updated in August 3 2024 (20:44 WEST)
Cleia MontesdeOca García, the sexologist of 'Malegría'
Cleia MontesdeOca García, the sexologist of 'Malegría'

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are increasing in Spain over time, specifically, the figures are increasing among young people. Diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia mark historical records in our country, according to an epidemiological surveillance report prepared by the Carlos III Health Institute.

On the one hand, gonorrhea marked 23,333 cases nationwide in 2022, leading the group of people aged 25-34, with 8,669 cases among men and women. On the other hand, there are 26,518 cases of chlamydia in all sixteen autonomous communities, with the highest figures among those aged 25-34, with 9,653 cases in that age range.

That same year, Canary Islands became one of the Autonomous Communities with the highest rate of syphilis cases, according to the Report on the Surveillance of STIs in the Autonomous Communities conducted by the Ministry of Health, with a count of 33.47 per 100,000 inhabitants.

From the Malegría association, specialized as a Sexology Institute and located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, they have pointed out that the main weapon to reduce STDs and increase the use of condoms in the Spanish population, focuses on putting the "emphasis on sexual education", said Cleia Montesdeoca García, sexologist and nurse in the Canarian association.

The association has clarified that "there is an upward trend in sexual transmissions", but stressed that education should be done "without fear of contagion", in the words of the sexologist and as a philosophy of action of the association.

In the last 20 years, the sexologist recalled, "contagions are on the rise." The association's motto is the implementation of strategies to "make the figures go down again", such as comprehensive sexual education.

According to the Youth Report conducted in 2020 in Spain, almost 40% of young people admit to not using condoms. The lack of use of anti-condentive methods, such as prophylactics, "I don't know if it's a lack of social awareness, information or resources," revealed the member. But what is clear is that for "pleasure and enjoyment you need self-care, care of the other person and security, which is achieved with the use of protection."

For Cleia, the use of condoms is not something exclusively that concerns or should fall on women. It is a matter of "respect and good treatment, all done by both parties." The responsibility lies with the two or more people who relate in the sexual encounter. "It is not only one person's responsibility, putting on a condom is a matter for two," she added.

 "Putting on a condom is a matter for two"

Regarding the age ranges in which it is least used and most infections occur, she is clear. "The data tells us that something is happening with young people," she said. STDs, although they are mostly located between 25 and 34 years of age, as indicated by health studies, "are not something unique to those age ranges," she pointed out.

In older ages, the association believes in the re-education of new values, leaving behind the values acquired in the past and that have been evolving, something they explore day by day in Malegría. "Educating and raising awareness is everyone's responsibility, based on the peace of mind of not having to contract a disease or an unwanted pregnancy," she assured.

In the case of older adults, with whom they also work in the association, "progress" is made to restructure the thinking already acquired over the years. Cleia highlighted the differences in the way they live relationships compared to young people. "People of other ages use other types of contraceptives and have another way of relating."

Sexual education at an early age

The main tool to ensure that personal relationships are satisfactory is sexual education. "It is essential to instill a comprehensive sexual education" and do it "from an early age," advised the sexologist.

For the member of the association, education must be "regulated to each age group", and thus have the ability to understand everything related to the intimacy, pleasure and security of oneself and that of the person next to you. In addition, education is essential to know what "is right and what is not" and to be able to "express freely" our tastes and points of view in a sexual relationship.

"Living with the peace of mind of not having to contract a disease or an unwanted pregnancy"

A sexual education acquired from childhood facilitates affective responsibility and harmony in social relationships. By working previously "you reach adolescence with a much more organized backpack," said Cleia about the teaching of respect and care.

Educate in consent and equality until the end of life. The key piece with which to establish a learning in children in the future treatment with their love relationships or their sexual partners. "It is common sense, sexual relations have to be consensual," said the sexologist.

In order to maintain relationships based on consent, it is important to "know our limits", in addition to "expressing them and putting them on the table", she added. "To fit what each one and the other person wants and what they don't want," she remarked. Also a sexual education based on the fundamental pillar of the "values of equality."

The association encourages sexual education to be treated from a more extensive point of view, to increase the "resources" available to groups or organizations. "That's what we need, not only that a school calls us to go to classes," she suggested.

Let sex stop being taboo

Sometimes, sex becomes a taboo subject, which is difficult to talk about naturally among society, with the thought of letting oneself be carried away by "personal morality." For the sexologist it is essential to find the point at which it can be normalized, since, "we are sexual beings."

Training in relation to issues of sexuality is not only located in the sexual act. "It does not only have to do with erotica, with talking about intercourse or sexual practices," she said. Sexuality encompasses other edges that are also treated in the association: knowing our body and its changes in adolescence, menopause: the period and its loss, interpersonal relationships, sexual desire and the plane of emotions, among other issues. "We have the ability to change things and human relationships"

"Sexuality does not only have to do with erotica, talking about intercourse or sexual practices"

Do not use pornography as sexual education

Early access to pornography creates an unreal conception of what the reality of a sexual relationship and a healthy bond entails. "Good treatment is fundamental and it is important to cultivate ourselves in equality," Cleia specified.

The sexologist has left aside the complete blaming of porn as responsible for unhealthy relationships. "Porn in itself is not the problem," she said, taking into account that it should be educated in parallel even if there is a visualization of pornographic content on the network. "It is necessary that there be sexual education and commitment on the part of the institutions," she stressed.

Cleia has put as a main comparative example that of road safety and car racing or speed movies. In the case of a vision and subsequent audiovisual learning, the respect of internalized rules always prevails, the same thing that should happen with sex. "Although it is seen in the movies, we are aware that we do not have to run over others when we are driving, something that is achieved with teaching," concluded the expert.

Most read