Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain one of the most feared diseases in the US, and in most of the developed countries in the world. However, you can easily and drastically reduce the risk of catching them by taking certain precautions. In this post, we will discuss five methods of STD prevention that will help you avoid contracting any sexual diseases.

  1. Limit Your Number of Sexual Partners

If you are a sexually active individual, consider limiting the number of sexual partners you have. The higher the number of sexual partners you engage with, the greater the chances are of contracting an STD. Abstinence is the only 100 percent guaranteed way of STD prevention.

  1. Get Tested

One of the best lines of defense against STDs is to ensure that you and your partner(s) are tested for every venereal disease. You should ask about testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV, as these are some of the most common STDs. Some STDs are completely curable, while others are merely treatable. When treating STDs, you are promoting STD prevention, as STDs are not usually contagious under proper treatment.

  1. Male Circumcision

A number of studies have shown that male circumcision can reduce the risk of STDs. According to the CDC, the benefits of a male circumcision outweigh the risks. Clinical studies that were conducted in Sub Saharan African region also found that circumcision reduced the risk of HIV by up to 60 percent. Moreover, the procedure also reduced the risk of contracting human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes by 30 percent respectively.

  1. Use Condoms and Dental Dams

Condoms and dental dams are important any time you have sex. In addition to protecting against pregnancy, they can also be used for STD prevention. Correct use of condoms and dental dams can greatly reduce the risk of contracting STD.

In case you have allergies to latex, you can buy protectives that use non-latex materials. However, it is important to keep in mind that latex condoms are less likely to break as compared to non-latex condoms. While condoms are not 100 percent effective, they do greatly reduce the risk of getting an STD.

  1. Vaccination

Vaccinations for STD prevention are available for HPV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. They are safe and effective ways to reduce the risk of contracting STDs. All girls between the ages of 9 and 26 , and boys up until age 21, are urged to get three shots of HPV vaccination. They should get hepatitis B and C vaccination if they were not vaccinated as children.

Proactive Prevention

In addition to these precautions, you may also avoid alcohol and drug use when having sexual intercourse. These reduce your ability to make good decisions.

Many common STDs are silent and don't cause any visible symptoms, so regular STD screening is the only way to catch the disease early for effective treatment. Reach out to STD Labs for more information on testing.

 

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