STD prevention and safe sex

Safe sex practices

A person can never have enough education about sexually transmitted diseases, their cause, their treatment and their short-term and long-term effects. Ignorance, in the case of sexually transmitted diseases, it can be deadly. 

Abstinence

It goes without saying that abstinence is the best way to avoid contracting a venereal disease.  Abstaining from sexual activity until marriage or beginning a lifelong relationship is the best way to avoid contracting a sexually transmitted disease, assuming of course your partner abstained as well, or at the very least has had limited partners and had a blood test for STDs prior to marriage. Safely abstaining includes refraining from petting, anal and oral sex.
 

Communication

Communication is an important tool in preventing the transmittal of STDs. It is important to have open communications with a potential sexual partner about their sexual history and the frequency at which they are tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Most people find this difficult, out of fear of rejection or loss of the relationship by hurting the feelings of the other person. Giving what is at stake, wouldn’t you rather hurt someone’s feelings than contract a potentially life threatening STD from them? What if you are the one carrying the virus? Shouldn’t you communicate that information with your potential partner before engaging in sexual relations?
 

Condoms

Short of abstinence, the use of condoms is the next best way to prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted disease. It is important to use a condom every time you take part in sexual activity, unless you are in a lifelong relationship (like marriage) with a partner who you know is free from sexual disease.

Condoms are not 100% effective in preventing the spread of STDs, particularly with viruses that are transferred through skin to skin contact, but they offer reasonable protection. It is important to use the condom properly, rolling it down to the base of the penis, and to use a condom for vaginal, oral and anal sex. Remember, most sexually transmitted diseases can be spread by oral sex.
 

Personal hygiene

After sexual contact, it is a good practice to wash the genitals with soap and water, and to urinate. This will help to prevent any harmful bacteria that may have been transferred between partners from causing infection. Carefully remove the condom from the base and roll it forward, as not to allow the hands to come in contact with the exposed area of the latex. Wrap the condom thoroughly in tissue, and dispose of in a proper trash receptacle.
 

Sexual partners

Limit the number of sexual partners you have. The fact that you are not just having sex with your partner but with everyone they have ever had sex with has become and old adage. However, there is no avoiding the truth in the statement. If you are not willing to wait to have only one partner for sexual activity, limit the number of partners you have, and remember to communicate with them about both your sexual history and theirs.