STD second step: Protect yourself

It only takes one sexual contact with someone who has a STD to catch it.  Know how to prevent it. 

Do condoms prevent STDs?
Male latex condoms can reduce your risk of getting a STD if used correctly (see the box below).  Be sure to use condoms every time you have sex, during all types of sex, including vaginal, anal and oral sex.  Female condoms aren't as effective as male condoms, but should be used when a man won't use a male condom.
Remember though, that condoms aren't 100% safe and can't protect you from coming in contact with some sores, such as those that can occur with herpes, or warts, which can occur with HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) infection.

The Right Way to Use a Condom
The Male Condom:
Keep condoms cool and dry.  Never use skin lotions, baby oil, Vaseline or cold cream with condoms.  The oil in these products will probably cause the condom to break.  You may use products made with water (e.g. K-Y jelly or glycerin).

• Put on a new condom before any kind of sex.
• Hold the condom by the tip and squeeze out the air.
• Unroll the condom all the way over the hard penis.
  
• Have sex.
• Hold the condom so it can't come off the penis.
• Pull out.

• Insert the condom in any time before sex.
  
• Add a water-based lubricant to the inside of the condom.
• Squeeze the inner ring of the condom.  Put the inner ring and pouch into the vagina.
• With your finger, push the inner ring as far into the vagina as it will go.
  
• Guide the penis into the condom.
  
• After sex, remove the condom before standing up.  Remove the condom gently.

Do spermicides help prevent STDs?
No. It was once thought that spermicides with nonoxynol-9 could help prevent STDs much like they help prevent pregnancy -- by damaging the organisms that cause the diseases.  New research has shown that nonoxynol-9 can also irritate a woman’s vagina and cervix, actually increasing the risk of a STD infection.
Be sure to also check the ingredients of any other sex-related products you own, such as lubricants and condoms.  Some brands of these products may have nonoxynol-9 added to them.  If you are unsure if your spermicide or any other product contains nonoxynol-9, ask your doctor before using it.

What else should I do?

• Limit the number of sexual partners you have. 
  
• Ask your partner if he or she has a STD and tell your partner if you have had one.  Talk about whether you've both been tested for STDs and whether you should be tested.
• Look for signs of a STD in your sex partner, but remember that STDs don't always show their symptoms.  Don't have sex if you or your partner are being treated for a STD.
• Wash your genitals with soap and water and urinate soon after you have sex.  This may help clean away some germs before they have a chance to infect you.

How do I know if my partner has a STD?
Ask.  Although it may be uncomfortable, talk to your partner before having any sexual contact.  Ask if he or she is at risk for having a STD.  Some of the risk factors are having sex with several partners, using injected drugs and having had a STD in the past.  To be safe, protect yourself no matter what the person says.  You must also tell your partner if you have a STD.  You aren't doing yourself or your partner any favors by trying to hide it.

How do I know if I have an STD?
Watch for the symptoms listed in BIMC’s previous article (STD first step), but remember that most STDs don't cause any symptoms.
If you are sexually active, you should get regular check-ups and tell your doctor that you are sexually active.  If you're worried that your parents will find out, you can ask your doctor not to discuss it with your parents.  You can also go to a free health clinic.  Don't let fear keep you from getting checked out.  Imagine how you'd feel--and how your parents would feel--if you got really sick because you didn't get help.  If you find out you have a STD, both you and your partner should get treated right away.

What if I have a STD?

• Tell your partner they need to get tested too.
• Take all of your medicine, even if you start to feel better.
  
• Never take another person's medicine or give someone yours.
  
• Don't have sex until you and your partner are treated.
  

The 100% sure way to protect yourself!
The surest way to prevent any STD is don't have sex.  There are many ways to show love besides sex. You can not spread a STD if there is no contact between the penis, vagina, mouth or anus.

WHO estimates that more than 35 million new cases of curable STD (gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and trichomonas) occur annually.  STD infection rates among the sexually active population generally vary from 2% to 5% and from 20% to 40% among commercial sex workers.