3 things we learnt talking to The Porn Conversation
During Sexual Health Week, we were thrilled to run a live, online event with Avril Louise Clarke, Sexologist and Intimacy Coordinator at The Porn Conversation and ERIKALUST.
Avril sat down with SH:24 Sexual Health Nurse, Shauna O’Rouke to talk about sexual health and porn literacy. They covered everything from STI stigma and misconceptions, to what happens on an adult film shoot. And they had time to answer audience questions too!
But if you missed the live chat, you haven’t missed out. Here’s 3 fascinating things we learnt listening to Avril and Shauna.
Every day, 1 million STIs are diagnosed worldwide
This is not something to be scared of, but a sign of just how much a part of life they are. As Shauna said, people are not ashamed to say they have a cold or the flu. So why do we have this stigma about STIs when they are just as common and often just as treatable? At SH:24, we think we all need to talk more about our sexual health. This will help more people get sexually healthy. Check out our #TalkMoreTestMore campaign on social media to see more.
This stigma has very real, and harmful, effects on people. Shauna said she often heard from people who are scared that their positive result will affect their lives, or that they could even die because of it. And she emphasised that all STIs are treatable.
A lot of what makes sex great doesn’t get shown in porn!
We know that clear, honest communication about sex means you’ll have a good time. Avril and the adult performers at ERIKALUST know this too. Before they get undressed and the cameras start rolling, the performers will keep talking and checking in about desire and boundaries. What are you in the mood for today, what’s off-limits? And most importantly, what’s your STI test status and what are we doing for contraception?
Avril said these conversations happen on every set she’s on. But most porn movies leave this out of the final cut, which means we’re not getting the full picture about how great sex, and great chemistry, happens.
There’s over 100 types of human papillomavirus (HPV)
In sexual health we talk about the type of HPV that causes . This is usually HPV 6 and 11. But there’s over 100 different types of HPV and they have different effects. HPV 16 and 18 are 2 of the most common types that can cause cancer. And it’s these that clinicians check for when they do a .
The type of HPV that causes warts is not cancerous. If you have an outbreak of warts, this does not put you at increased risk of cancer.
