How to Prevent STIs

Seek (and Encourage) STI Testing

Before you enter a new sexual relationship, consider STI testing for you and your partner. If one or both of you are at high risk of disease, you should be tested even more frequently.

If you're being treated for an STI, wait until you're done with treatment before resuming sexual activity. If you don't, you and your partner could end up passing an infection back and forth.

Only Have Sex Within a Mutually Monogamous Relationship

Long-term monogamy reduces your chances of getting an STI. To keep the risk down, each partner needs to start the relationship with a negative test result. Ongoing trust and commitment to monogamy is also essential.

It is important to note that STI testing is not 100% accurate. False positives and false negatives can occur.

If you have herpes, the virus can lay dormant and undetected for years before a flare-up occurs. If you or your partner is diagnosed with herpes despite long-term monogamy, this could be why.

Make All Sex Safer Sex

Mutual monogamy is not for everyone. If you or your partner also have sex with other people, you need to practice safer sex. This is also true if you are not sure of your partner's behaviors.

Use an external condom, internal condom, or dental dam whenever you engage in intimate contact. This includes vaginal and anal sex as well as oral sex. Barriers are not 100% protective against all STIs. They will greatly reduce your risk, however.

Practicing safer sex is only effective if you do it every time you have an encounter. Take responsibility for your sexual health and bring your own safer sex supplies.

Know Your Limits

It can be hard to think clearly when you're "in the moment." That's why it's wise to be sure about how far you are willing to go before things heat up.

Making a decision ahead of time can help you know where to draw the line. Still, it is also important to be prepared with external or internal condoms in case you change your mind.

Talk to Your Partner

Open and honest communication is important. Talk openly with your partner about sex, practicing safer sex, and STI testing. Tell your partner that you've been tested, what tests you had, and when you had them.

It is also important to be comfortable talking to your partner about if you are exclusive and what monogamy means to you.

Sharing this information with your partner will help make your sex life safer and could also help further define your relationship.

Don't Drink or Use Drugs Before Having Sex

It is difficult to make responsible choices about sex if you're impaired by drugs or alcohol. When you are under the influence, you may be more likely to have sex with someone you might not have had sex with if you were sober. You may also have a harder time remembering to practice safer sex.

Be Comfortable Saying "No"

If you don’t want to have sex, say so. Sex is not something you "owe" someone because they bought you dinner or because you've been on a certain number of dates.

Consider Vaccination

Scientists have developed vaccines for three STIs: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus (HPV). All three vaccines are given as a series over the course of several months.

The hepatitis A vaccine series consists of two shots given six months apart. The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given in three shots. The second and third shots are given one and six months after the first, respectively.

The HPV vaccine protects against nine strains of HPV, including types 16 and 18. These types cause about 70% of cervical cancers.

The vaccine is recommended for all children ages 11 to 12 years. It can be administered between the ages of 9 and 45, however.