Safe Sex Lowers the Risk of STDs

Safe sex used to mean using birth control to prevent pregnancy. Today, it has another meaning. Now, “safe sex” also focuses on disease prevention. Preferred Care is committed to helping you lead a healthier life. You can lower your risk of catching sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) by knowing the facts and taking steps to protect yourself.

What Are STDs?

Sexually transmitted diseases are those that can be spread through sexual contact. Some of these diseases, such as herpes and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), are currently incurable. Others, such as gonorrhea and syphilis, are curable if both partners are treated promptly with a full course of antibiotics.

How Do You Know If You Have an STD?

Some STDs such as active herpes or genital warts can be seen on physical inspection. But many times, symptoms are not visible. There are STDs such as trichamoniasis that cause symptoms in women but not in men. Other infections, such as chlamydia, may not show any symptoms for months.

If you think you might have been exposed to an STD, or if you have any active symptoms of one, such as genital itching, discharge or a burning sensation while urinating, see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Does Your Partner Have an STD?

It’s impossible to be certain if your partner is free of STDs. It’s best to rely on safe sexual behavior to minimize the risk of STDs.

How Can I Prevent STDs?

To minimize your chances of contracting an STD, explore other types of intimacy and tenderness such as massage. Genital contact can be made safer by avoiding sex practices which can cause even minor tearing of the vagina or anus. Also avoid intercourse or oral sex without condoms (on men) or without rubber dams (on women), and any oral-anal contact. Men should use latex (not lambskin) condoms. Any lubricant should be water-based (such as K-Y™ jelly), not oil-based (such as Vaseline® or baby oil). Oil-based lubricants can damage latex. Condoms treated with a spermicide containing nonoxynol-9 also help reduce STDs.

If you have any questions about STD symptoms, treatment or prevention, contact your local family planning or Planned Parenthood office or your doctor.

Although “safe sex” has come to mean protected sex and low-risk sex practices, the only risk-proof sex is none at all. Abstinence is the safest practice.


Posted: January 2005