Having first intercourse at a younger age is associated with higher risk of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), according to a recent study of South Korean adolescents. 

The study, published online in December in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that the earlier teens have intercourse, the greater their chances of contracting an STI.  Those odds increase if there is a shorter span of time between puberty and first intercourse. 

Researchers looked at data from 22,381 South Korean students who had had intercourse.

Overall, 7.3% of the adolescents had had an STI. Rates were higher when age of first intercourse was lower. 

The authors called for more practical sex education in Korean schools and emphasized the need for STI care targeted to adolescents. 

They also noted that cost can make HPV vaccines out of reach for many families.

"It is a critical issue to find ways to lower the cost of the HPV vaccine and familiarize adolescents with the benefits of the vaccine," the authors wrote. 

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Between 1,000 and 1,500 health professionals will be gathering in Beijing September 22 - 25, 2016 for the 20th World Meeting on Sexual Medicine. Will you be among them? 

The meeting will offer plenty of opportunities learn about the latest developments in sexual medicine and network with specialists from around the world. You can find a list of the preliminary scientific program topics here.

Abstracts will be accepted in a variety of categories and may be eligible for clinical or basic science prizes. We will post submission details as soon as they become available. All abstracts must be submitted by June 10, 2016.

Online registration will be opening soon!  We will keep you posted here in the ISSM Update, but you can always access up-to-the-minute information on the meeting website.

We hope to see you there!