Practice safe sex to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

It is easier to prevent a sexually transmitted disease (STD) than to treat an infection once it occurs. You can limit your exposure to STDs by practicing the following prevention tactics:

• Not having sex (abstinence) will keep you from getting an STD.
• Delay sexual activity until you are prepared both physically and emotionally to have sex.
• Follow prevention techniques carefully and consistently.
• Limit your sex partners. The safest sex is with one partner who has sex only with you. Every time you add a new sex partner, you are being exposed to all of the diseases that all of their partners may have.
• Ask a potential sex partner about his or her sexual history. You will want to know how many partners your new potential partner has had and whether he or she has ever had an STD, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. You will also want to know whether that STD was treated and cured. If your new partner has an STD that is not curable, you will want to know how best to protect yourself. You will also need to decide whether you really want to have sex with this person, because there is no perfect way to protect yourself.
• Ask a potential sex partner about high-risk behaviors that might increase his or her risk for a blood disease (such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV) that is transmitted by sexual contact. High-risk behaviors include intravenous (IV) drug use, anal or homosexual sex, sex with a prostitute, sex with a partner who has high-risk behaviors, or exchange of sex for money or drugs.
• Ask a potential sex partner to be tested for HIV and other STDs. Use condoms for all sex until you and your partner have not had sex with another person for a full 6 months. After 6 months, get tested again before you decide to have sex without condoms.
• Use a male condomorfemale condom every time you have sex. Latex and polyurethane condoms do not let the viruses that cause STDs pass through, so they offer good protection from STDs. Animal skin (lamb skin) condoms do not protect against viruses. Do not use them for protection against STDs.
• A long-term relationship with the same partner (monogamy) may eliminate the need for condoms. Remember, you can only be sure of your own monogamy.
• Use a water-based lubricant such as K-Y Jelly or Astroglide to help prevent tearing of the skin if there is a lack of lubrication during sexual intercourse. Small tears in the vagina during vaginal sex or in the rectum during anal sex allow STDs to get into your blood.
• Know the symptoms of STDs and do not have sex with anyone who has these symptoms.
• Remember that anyone can have an STD and not have any symptoms.