Sex By Numbers: What You Don’t Know Will Kill You Edition

Column Facts are facts.

Sex facts have been piling up like rabbits this week. If you didn’t get enough information last time, then get ready for some more statistic-based intrigue. Slip into your comfiest bathrobe, dilute your vodka tonic, and let the numbers carry you away.

Cutoff age for women seeking Plan B without a prescription: 17

Percentage of sexually active Mississippi teens who report they did not use either condoms or birth control during their last sexual encounter: 93%

Number of American mayors who resigned this week after a sex scandal with a jilted male escort: 1

Number of Newt Gingrich’s gay relatives who have publicly endorsed Barack Obama: 1

In 2009, the number of new HIV diagnoses among American patients ages 15-19: 2,036

In 2009, the number of new HIV diagnoses among American patients ages 55-59: 2,004

Percentage of North American women who (anonymously) reported being too embarrassed to ask their doctor sexual health related questions: 28%

Books nominated for Literary Review‘s Bad Sex in Fiction Award that also appeared on the NYT Bestsellers’ List: 3

That’s all for this week! Remember, if you’re too afraid of your doctor to bring up sex, find a nicer doctor.

Image: Robobobobo

Mallory Ortberg

Mallory resides in San Francisco, California. You can catch her weekly Sex By Numbers column.