Sexually transmitted diseases are spread through any sexual contact during oral sex through the anus, penis, or vagina. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 1 in 2 sexually active people will contract an STD by the age of 25 and that 20 million STDs are contracted each year in the United States. The most common symptom of STDs is no symptom at all, so what is most important about STD prevention is regular STD testing.

Protection

The number one way to prevent STDs is to use protection. There are multiple forms of proper sexual protection available on the market today. For any sexual contact involving a penis penetrating either a mouth, anus, or vagina, condoms are very effective in preventing STDs. When appropriately used, condom companies report a 98% effective rate against STDs. What is essential to understand is that condoms do not protect against herpes, genital warts, or syphilis, which spread during skin to skin contact rather than bodily fluids. Dental dams are another form of barrier protection. Dental dams are a thin square piece of latex or other material that can be placed over a vulva or anus during oral sex. This prevents the spread of STDs, including those spread by skin to skin.

Getting Tested

The next best way to prevent STDs after using protection is to get tested. Even if you are using protection, anyone who is sexually active should get tested regularly, especially between new partners. By getting tested, you will be taking responsibility for your own sexual health, and you can make better-informed decisions when participating in sexual activities.

Do Not Share Needles

It is possible to become infected with an STD without any sexual contact, and that is through the exchange of needles. Many STDs are spread through bodily fluids. Therefore you should never use a needle that has previously been used on someone else. This means that all needles for drug use, obtaining a tattoo, or being pierced should be brand new. 

How to know if someone has an STD

Another way of preventing STDs is to be aware of what to look for in yourself as well as your sexual partners. General symptoms of STDs include pain, itching, an unusual smell, or burning. Visual symptoms include swelling, bumps, sores, rashes, discharge from the penis/abnormal discharge from the vagina, or bleeding from genitals besides menstrual bleeding.

By utilizing protection, getting tested, and knowing what signs to look for, you are well on your way to preventing STDs. Always remember you are in control of your own body and your own decisions. You are the only one who can make the right choices to prevent STDs in your life.