Why safe sex is important
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are
infectious conditions transmitted through sexual activity - vaginal, oral or
anal. Some of the STDs can be easily treated but unfortunately there is no cure
for many of them, and these incurable STDs tend to be the most common and
longest lasting. Some, for example HIV and hepatitis B, can have serious health
consequences.
A person can have any of the STDs without any
symptoms. They may therefore be unaware that they have an infection and may be
passing it on each time they have sex.
Reducing the risk
The only way to be 100% certain of never getting
an STD is never to have sex at all. This means that if you do have sex, you need
to consider ways that you can reduce your risk of acquiring an infection (or
passing on an STD you may not know you have!) There are various strategies you
can use. Some relate to whom you have sex with, others relate to what you do
while you are having sex. Choose whichever strategies best suit your situation -
they don't all work for everyone.
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Have an STD check up
after sex with a new partner. If you have picked up an infection it may be
possible to treat it before complications develop, and the sooner you know
you have an STD, the less likely it is that you will unknowingly pass it on
to someone else.
-
If you are in a
stable relationship and neither you nor your partner have any other sexual
partners, you can make sure that sex is safe by both having an STD check up.
If all the results are negative (both yours and your partner's) it may be OK
to have unprotected sex. You should discuss this with a doctor or health
adviser because sometimes extra tests are required.
-
If you have sex with
more than one partner or if you often change your partners, one way you can
reduce your risk of exposure to an STD is to reduce the number of partners.
The more people you have sex with, the more likely it is that one or more of
your partners will have an STD.
-
Be especially careful
if you have sex with people you don't know well. You are less likely to know
if they have an STD or have had a check up recently.
-
Unless you are
certain that you and your partner do not have any STDs (i.e. by having a
full STD check-up) use safe sex practices when you have sex.
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