{"id":4080,"date":"2019-02-20T05:57:20","date_gmt":"2019-02-20T05:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=4080"},"modified":"2021-05-27T14:28:24","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T14:28:24","slug":"12-prevention-tips-for-std","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/12-prevention-tips-for-std\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Prevention Tips for STD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sex is something that should be enjoyed. It should be an intimate moment between any two people who love each other, or at the very least an exciting romp with an attractive stranger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, when it comes to sex, things always get complicated. We\u2019re not talking about the emotional aspect here, but rather the biological. That is to say that when you have sex, you, unfortunately, open yourself up to a host of issues that otherwise wouldn\u2019t exist. Sex can sometimes be painful, it can sometimes be too quick, and of course, it can also lead to the transmission of diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, we no longer live in a time where having sex with strangers is dangerous or highly likely to result in an STD or STI (Sexually Transmitted Disease or Sexually Transmitted Infection) which is thanks to a number of different methods and strategies that can help to limit the spread of these diseases and stop them in their tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s thanks to the efforts of others throughout the years that incidents of STDs have shrunken dramatically. But it\u2019s still necessary to be careful on an individual level in order to be completely safe. This is a risk that is simply not worth taking, so read on to discover 8 ways you can prevent STDs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.  Don\u2019t Share Towels or Clothes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not just sex that can lead to the transmission of STDs<\/a>! Also risky is the practice of sharing towels, underwear, or any other clothing that comes into direct contact with the genital region. This can transmit thrush, crabs, and a host of other serious illnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it is an upsetting thought to think that you might be extremely careful during sex, only to then pick up a disease afterward when taking a shower at your new partner\u2019s home!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember: STDs and STIs are transmitted via the exchange of bodily fluids. That can mean saliva, blood, or semen. Thus you can even get oral herpes (which is technically an STD) from something as simple as sharing a mug!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.  Use Protection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the most obvious and effective way to avoid the transmission of STDs. As we just mentioned, many STDs are spread via the exchange of bodily fluids. You actually need to swap a lot of bodily fluids, however, meaning that a kiss isn\u2019t likely to spread anything more serious than herpes. And even if you were to swallow a little blood after biting a lip too hard, it\u2019s highly unlikely that would be enough to transmit HIV <\/a>(though we don\u2019t recommend testing the theory!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The real danger then is the exchange of semen, and that\u2019s precisely what a latex condom can protect you from, by catching it and preventing it from coming into contact with the other person. Likewise, this can prevent contact with a host of other fluids produced by the body during sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind though that a condom is not a guaranteed way to protect yourself from STDs. Crabs, herpes, thrush and other issues can still spread via skin to skin contact. Unless you have yourself a whole-body condom, then you\u2019re still at risk from these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.  Wash<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, something as simple as taking a shower after sex can be an effective way to reduce your likelihood of catching an STD. This can help to remove bacteria <\/a>and other causes of illness off of your body, as well as removing fluids that might still be lingering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just make sure to bring your own towel!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, this does highlight the problem with these kinds of tips: they can be a little detached from the reality. While it\u2019s true that washing is a good way to reduce your likelihood of getting ill, it can also be seen as rude. Have sex with a new partner and then ask where their shower is \u2013 telling them that you\u2019ve brought your own towel \u2013 and you can come across as a little odd and slightly offensive!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the same goes for some other strategies. It\u2019s up to you then to decide how you want to proceed. But if nothing else, make sure to use a condom. Even if it is <\/em>an awkward thing to bring up in the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.  Maintain Good Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This might seem like a strange tip, but the truth is that you can reduce your chances of getting an STD in much the same way as you would be able to reduce your chances of getting any other illness: by looking after your nutrition, hygiene<\/a>, and overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are overtired, if you haven\u2019t been eating well, and if you have a host of other underlying problems, then your immune system will be weak and you\u2019ll be far more likely to experience a host of other issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely though, if you are well and you have provided your body with ample nutrition, then your immune system will be in the best position to try and stave off any illnesses, infections, or viruses that have been transmitted sexually or via any other method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.  Get Yourself Checked<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have any reason to worry after having sex, then you should always get yourself checked with a doctor. They will be able to run tests in order to look for the possibility of infection<\/a>, and this way, they can help to inform you if you\u2019re unwell, and thereby begin treatment as soon as possible to help you overcome it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a good idea if you have had sex with someone you don\u2019t know, if you have had unprotected sex, or if you notice any symptoms that you suspect might be a sign of STD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, getting yourself checked over will give you assurance that you don\u2019t already have an infection \u2013 which can, in turn, put your partners\u2019 minds at rest. If you are very cautious and you limit your number of sexual partners, getting checked prior to having sex for the first time unprotected can be a good strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.  Ask About Their History<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, some of the advice you will read regarding avoiding STDs <\/a>can be a little on the impractical side. In the best-case scenario, it might cause you to kill the mood a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think it\u2019s awkward asking your potential partner if they brought protection? Well then try stopping them before sex to ask how many previous partners they\u2019ve had, if they knew all of them first, and whether they\u2019ve been checked for STDs previously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, no, this isn\u2019t always going to be a viable strategy. But in cases where you feel comfortable with the other party, or if you\u2019re keen to be as careful as you possibly can be: this can be a good option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.  Choose Your Partners Carefully<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This goes without saying, but choosing your partners carefully is always wise. While you should never judge a book by its cover, and while anyone could be carrying an STD, there are certainly some warning signs that you can look out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If someone has had a lot of sexual partners for instance, then they are more likely to have an STD. If they don\u2019t suggest protection prior to sex<\/a>, then it suggests that they probably would have had sex with other people <\/em>unprotected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, you may decide that having entirely unprotected sex isn\u2019t a safe option for you. You might instead then opt to look for friends of friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.  Don\u2019t Have Sex<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, the only way to absolutely guarantee that you don\u2019t get an STD, is, unfortunately, to not have sex at all. This isn\u2019t going to be an option for a lot of people, but it does, of course, present the best course of action if you have any concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, if the person you are talking to doesn\u2019t appear to practice safe sex<\/a>, if you don\u2019t have protection if you\u2019re feeling unwell yourself\u2026 then it\u2019s safer just not to have sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you want to be absolutely sure that you don\u2019t get ill, then you can avoid sex until you know someone intimately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s simply up to you what kind of risks you want to take, and whether you ultimately deem them worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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