Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are spread through sexual contact involving the genitals, mouth or rectum, and can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby before or during childbirth. STDs, which pose an equal threat to both men and women, are a very important problem facing modern medicine.
While most diseases can be cured, there are some that cannot be treated, including HIV (which causes AIDS), genital herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts.
STDs can be transmitted by people who do not even know they are infected. You should always use protection during every sexual encounter, including oral sex, until you are sure that you and your partner are not carrying STDs.
If you are in a relationship with someone, hold off on having sex until you have both been tested for STDs.
Discuss safe sex with your partner
Discuss all STD-related concerns with your partner before you have sex. Remember that even if a partner has no symptoms of an STD, he or she may still be infected.
Aspects to consider before engaging in sexual intercourse with a person:
- How many people has your partner had sex with?
- Has your partner ever had sex without a condom?
- Has he had unprotected oral sex?
- Did he have more than one sexual partner at one time?
- Has he injected drugs or had unprotected sex with someone who has injected drugs?
- Find out if he has an HIV test and what the results are.
- Has the partner had any STDs, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Are they treated and cured?
Practicing safe sex
Some STDs, such as HIV, can stay in a person’s body for up to 6 months before they can be detected in the blood. Genital herpes and HPV can develop in the human body in the absence of any symptoms. Even if you and your partner have been tested, you must use a condom until six months have passed since your last contact with your previous sexual partner. Then take the test again.
- Watch for symptoms of an STD, such as unusual discharge, sores, redness, growths in the genital area, or pain when urinating. In this case, you should consult a venereologist.
- Try not to have more than one partner at one time. The safest sex occurs with the same partner, who also has sex only with you. Every time a new partner appears, there is a danger of contracting all the diseases that he may have. The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of getting an STD.
- Use a condom every time you have sex. A condom is the most reliable way to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms made of latex and polyurethane do not allow STD viruses to pass through.
- Use lubricants to prevent skin tearing (in the absence of natural lubrication during sexual intercourse). Small cracks in the vagina during vaginal sex or in the rectum during anal sex increase the risk of infections entering the bloodstream.
- Douching should be avoided, as it can change the normal balance of vaginal microflora.
- Be responsible. If there are signs of infection or you are being treated for it, avoid sexual intercourse.