If STIs were eradicated, would you have more sex?

No one seems to really like condoms. They're seen as a necessary evil to significantly lower the chances of pregnancy and STIs. They can interrupt the flow of intimacy, requiring a creative approach. Also, it's important to use the right size for the best fit and to check for latex allergies.

Despite these drawbacks, condoms are still our most effective tool for preventing STIs, besides abstinence. But what if we cured all STIs and then eradicated them? Would a new sexual revolution begin?

The idea of no more STIs sounds like a dream. But maybe one day, sooner than we think, that dream could become a reality. In Mexico City, Dr. Eva Ramon Gallegos and her team have successfully cured HPV 100% in 29 patients without cancerous lesions. 1 Approximately 75% of sexually active Canadians will be infected with HPV at some point, and almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by high-risk HPV infections. While this study is still in its infancy, it could be a massive game-changer, not just for STIs but also for cervical cancer, which would drop dramatically.

Gonorrhea is the second-highest reported STI in Canada. Researchers Jamie Fegan and Epshita Islam, along with Trevor Moraes from the University of Toronto, have developed a new vaccine formulation for gonorrhea. 2 Still being tested in mice, it shows great promise for development as a human vaccine. The UK is starting the first vaccination program for gonorrhea using the 4CMenB vaccine. The 4CMenB vaccine offers a significant new tool for curbing the spread of gonorrhea, with studies showing its effectiveness at preventing infection to be between 30% and 42%. While this partial immunity isn't complete, it provides a valuable level of protection, especially for high-risk individuals. 3 

These and other emerging vaccinations are making great strides in creating safer ways to have sex. Since the introduction of PrEP in 2012, potential HIV has been significantly reduced. As these & other vaccinations progress and become available, will we create the next wave of sexual revolution, will it change any of our behaviors? Will it change yours?

1 https://www.womeninsciencesociety.org/post/major-strides-toward-hpv-cure-made-by-female-scientist

2 https://epic.utoronto.ca/a-new-bivalent-vaccine-offers-hope-for-preventing-antibiotic-resistant-neisseria-gonorrhoeae-infections/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CBecause%20they%20are%20essential%2C%20the,excellent%20targets%20for%20vaccine%20development.%E2%80%9D 

3 https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/analyst-comment/world-first-gonorrhea-vaccine-england/#:~:text=The%20vaccine%2