Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Diseases

You can take measures to reduce your risk of becoming infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). You can also reduce the risk of transmitting an STD to your sex partner.

Delay sexual activity until you are prepared both physically and emotionally to have sex. Nearly two-thirds of all STDs occur in people younger than 25 years old. Sexually active teenagers are at high risk for STDs because they frequently have unprotected sex and have multiple partners. Biological changes during the teen years also may increase their risk for getting an STD.

There is a vaccine that can help prevent genital warts, human papillomavirus (HPV), and cervical cancer. In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gardasil (HPV vaccine (What is a PDF document?)). This vaccine protects against four types of HPV, which together cause most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. Gardasil is recommended for girls 11 to 12 years old. It is also recommended for females 13 to 26 years old who did not receive it when they were younger.¹ For more information, see the topic Immunizations.

STDs are a concern worldwide. It is important to practice safe sex with all partners, especially if you or they may have high-risk sexual behaviors.

It is especially important that pregnant women who are at risk for STDs practice safe sex because an STD can affect their baby (fetus). An STD may threaten the life of your baby or cause serious long-term problems or disabilities for your baby.

Practice safe sex

Preventing a sexually transmitted disease (STD) is easier than treating an infection once it occurs.

• Talk with your partner about STDs before beginning a sexual relationship. Find out whether he or she is at risk for an STD. Remember that it is quite possible to be infected with an STD without knowing it. Some STDs, such as HIV, can take up to 6 months before they can be detected in the blood. Ask your partner the following questions.
  • How many sex partners has he or she had?
  • What high-risk behaviors does he or she have?
  • Has he or she ever had an STD?
  • Was it treated and cured?
  • If the STD is not curable, what is the best way to protect yourself?
• Be responsible.
  • Avoid sexual contact or activity if you have symptoms of an STD or are being treated for an STD.
  • Avoid sexual contact or activity with anyone who has symptoms of an STD or who may have been exposed to an STD.
• Don't have more than one sex partner at a time. Your risk for an STD increases if you have several sex partners at the same time.
• Some STDs can also be spread through oral-to-genital or genital-to-anal sexual contact.
• Abstain from sexual intercourse to prevent any exposure to STDs.

Condom use

Condoms can protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Even if you are protected against pregnancy by birth control pills or another method, use a condom to prevent STDs.

Male condom use

Using condoms reduces the risk of becoming infected with most STDs, especially if they are used correctly and consistently. Condoms must be put on before beginning any sexual contact or activity. Use condoms with a new partner until you are certain he or she does not have an STD. See male condom use.

• Use a water-based lubricant such as K-Y Jelly to help prevent tearing of the skin if there is a lack of lubrication with condom use 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.
• Do not use petroleum jelly as a lubricant with condoms because it dissolves the latex in condoms.
• Use a male condom for vaginal or anal sex.

Female condom use

Even if you are using another birth control method to prevent pregnancy, you may wish to use condoms to reduce your risk of getting an STD. Female condoms are available for women whose partners do not have or will not use a male condom. See female condom use.

Condoms do not prevent skin-to-sore contact in the genital area so it is possible to spread an STD with genital contact. It is important to have any symptoms in the genital area evaluated

Mouth barriers, such as a dental dam, can be used to reduce the spread of disease through oral sexual activity. You can discuss this with your dentist or health professional.

Avoid douching if you are a woman, because it can change the normal balance of organisms in the vagina and increases the risk of getting an STD.

Spermicide use

Most spermicides contain a chemical called nonoxynol-9 (N9). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that N9 in vaginal contraceptives and spermicides may irritate the lining of the vagina or rectum. This may increase the risk of getting HIV from an infected partner.

So although using a spermicide with a condom is more effective for birth control, using a spermicide may increase your risk for getting HIV.

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