LIFESTYLE NEWS - For most of us, sexual health education means suffering through Life Orientation classes where everyone stares at their desks, Googling symptoms at 02:00, or relying on hearsay from friends.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates continue to climb as young people figure things out through trial and error. 

Vukona Baloyi, a pharmacist at Medipost Pharmacy, South Africa’s first national courier pharmacy, has often observed this disconnect. 

“Young people are smart. All they need is clear, practical information about STIs, without judgement. Too many young people are entering adulthood without the facts they need to protect themselves. This leaves them vulnerable to risky behaviour, which, unfortunately, results in delayed testing and preventable illness.” 

The myths that could hurt you

Social media has become a breeding ground for dangerous misinformation about sexual health. 

From vaccine scares to fertility myths, misinformation spreads faster than facts, creating fear, delaying treatment, and leaving young people too embarrassed to seek help.

Baloyi breaks down the most harmful misconceptions:

“I’d know if I had something.” “One of the biggest myths young people believe is that they would know if they had an STI. In reality, many STIs, including HPV, don't cause any symptoms. A person may feel healthy yet still pass the infection on to a partner. That is why straight answers and education matter,” asserts Baloyi.

 “Birth control protects you from everything.” Baloyi emphasises that while contraceptives help prevent pregnancy, they do not protect against infections. Condoms remain important, but they do not offer complete protection.

 “One protection method is enough.” “Prevention requires a layered approach, including vaccination, barrier methods, regular testing, and honest conversations with partners. Think of it like security: you don’t rely on just one lock,” explains Baloyi.

Getting help without the awkwardness

Baloyi believes sexual health education should start early, before young people become sexually active, and continue in both homes and schools. Parents, teachers, healthcare workers and pharmacists all have a role to play in providing young people with accurate, judgement-free information.

“Young people need adults who speak plainly, not in code and not with shame. They need to know what the risks are, how to protect themselves, when to get tested, why vaccination matters, what symptoms to watch for, and that asking questions about their health is responsible, not embarrassing.”

There are many resources where non-judgemental help is available. Pharmacists, clinics and primary healthcare teams are ideally placed to provide young people with the correct advice.

“If you do test positive, the first thing to remember is that you have the right to privacy, and no one else will know about your condition unless you decide to share that information.”

Medipost Pharmacy offers telephonic pharmacy support in all 11 official languages for anyone receiving medication from Medipost Pharmacy. To register for confidential medication delivery anywhere in South Africa, WhatsApp Medipost on 012 426 4655.

The STI nobody talks about – but should

“Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, yet many young people still do not understand what it is or how serious it can be,” she adds.

While HPV is often linked to cervical cancer, it can affect anyone, regardless of gender. In men, it can lead to cancers of the anus, penis, mouth and throat. The virus is strongly associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, although HPV-linked primary brain tumours remain exceedingly rare. 

She explains that the HPV vaccine is one of the most important preventive tools available and that families should view it as protection against future disease rather than a cause for concern. 

The message for young people is simple: know the facts, protect yourself, and do not ignore warning signs. If something feels wrong, get yourself checked. If you are unsure, ask. Your health is worth taking seriously, and so is the health of your partner.

“No young person should be left to guess when it comes to their health. They deserve the facts, the support and the confidence to make informed choices,” she concludes.

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