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Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

How To Protect Yourself From Sexually Transmitted Diseases

By , About.com Guide

STD prevention is more than just wearing a condom. It's making sensible sexual decisions to maintain and improve your health. Part of that requires regular screening and treatment for STDs. Another part is talking to your partners, both new and old. The most important part of STD prevention, however, is taking responsibility for your own decisions and actions. If you want to have sex, be prepared, and bring a condom or other appropriate protection. It doesn't matter if you're male or female, you need to take care of yourself. It's better to be prepared than frustrated!
  1. Assess Your Risk
  2. Protect Yourself
  3. Choosing a Condom
  4. Talk the Talk
  5. Safer Sex Tips and Techniques
  6. Anal Sex 101
  1. Everyone Is At Risk
  2. Safer Sex and Teenagers
  3. Understanding the HPV Vaccine
  4. Myths and Misconceptions About Sex
  5. Issues in Prevention

Assess Your Risk

Why does it seem like some people are more at risk than others for acquiring an STD? Most of the time, it's because of behavior, but biology can also play a role. Understanding your risk factors can help you make your sex life safer.

Protect Yourself

It's your responsibility to protect your own sexual health. That means not only practicing safer sex, but making smart decisions. What do you need to know to make good choices? Start with the basics below.

Choosing a Condom

Finding the right condom is not always easy. Most people are pretty happy using most products, but some individuals have trouble finding a condom that works for them. Whether it's because of latex allergies, penis size, or sensitivity to nonoxynol 9, some people have to do a bit of searching before they find the safer sex option that works best for them. Others just like experimenting with the range of options that are out there in order to add some variety to their safe sex life. Strawberry flavored lube, anyone?

Talk the Talk

Talking to your partner about sex can be really hard. Many people aren't sure of the best way to start conversations about safe sex, STD testing, and other issues around sex and sexuality. Here are some tools to help you get started.

Safer Sex Tips and Techniques

It's all well and good to suggest that people practice safer sex, but how do you do that? Safer sex is a continuum of choices and actions. The first step is making intelligent decisions about your partners. After that, it all depends on what you want to do.

Anal Sex 101

People aren't always willing to talk about it, but a reasonably large percentage of the population is quite fond of anal sex. There's nothing wrong with that, but anal sex brings up some unique biological concerns. In particular, since anal sex can carry a high level of STD risk, it is quite important to practice it safely.

Everyone Is At Risk

Although there are factors that put some people at increased risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease, the only people who are 100% safe from STDs are those who abstain from all forms of sexual contact. Young or old, white or black, straight or gay -- everyone is at risk of acquiring an STD.

Safer Sex and Teenagers

As much as many people would like to disbelieve it, many teenagers are choosing to have sex. Few, however, would disagree that if teens are going to choose to have sex, it's important for them to do so safely. For that, they need information.

Understanding the HPV Vaccine

The HPV Vaccine is probably the biggest piece of STD news since scientists figured out that AIDS was caused by a virus. Everywhere you look there are advertisements, news articles, and propaganda. How does it work? Is it safe? You can find the answers to all of your questions right here.

Myths and Misconceptions About Sex

Because people aren't encouraged to have honest, sincere conversations about sex with doctors, teachers, and other people who are well-informed about the subject, it's easy to develop misconceptions about sex. Unfortunately, some of these sex myths can lead to people putting themselves at risk of an STD.

Issues in Prevention

Sexually transmitted disease prevention is a constantly evolving field. Every time science improves, sex advice changes to reflect it. Whether it is the introduction of new contraceptives, new treatments, or new vaccines, keeping up to date on the science of prevention is important for protecting your health.

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