If you are dating or in a non-monogamous relationship, you'll want to take steps toward STD prevention. Some STDs, such as genital herpes, are incurable and therefore can affect you for the rest of your life. Others are difficult to detect until after they have done their damage, which can include leaving you infertile or with cervical cancer. Because of the serious health risks associated with some STDs, you will want to educate yourself too.
Limit your sexual partners
The safest way to avoid contracting an STD is to be in a monogamous relationship. However, if this is not possibly, try to limit the number of people with whom you are intimate. Your chances of contracting an STD rocket skyward with the number of partners you have each year.
Ask the hard questions
Be honest with a potential sexual partner and request your partner also be open. Ask if he or she has had any STDs in the past, if he or she was treated, if he or she has been tested for STDs recently. Make sure he or she has not had any questionable sexual partners and has been tested since his or her last relationship. Don't feel close enough to ask these kinds of questions? Then you shouldn't be intimate with that person anyway. It's a good sign that the relationship is not a safe one if you can't discuss safe sex practices with the person yet.
Use condoms
Because you can't be sure a person is telling the truth, you should use condoms with any new sexual partners until you are sure he or she does not have an STD. Condoms cannot prevent all transmission of STDs, but they can reduce the transmission of STD significantly.
Look for symptoms
Don't be afraid to look very closely for symptoms your potential partner has an STD. Look for signs of scarring from an outbreak, scabbing, lesions or unusual discharge. If you do see something suspicious, hold off on sexual intimacy until you've been able to discuss your concerns and your partner has been tested for STDs. It's not unusual for a person to miss the warning signs, but a test performed by a doctor can tell you if a symptoms is legitimately concerning or not.
Get an annual STD test
Take precautions to make sure you are not carrying and spreading STDs by getting an annual STD exam. Most STDs are curable, and many do not exhibit obvious symptoms, so you will be protecting both yourself and any partners you may have by making sure you remain clean and healthy.
 | No one wants to think she might have STDs. The statistics prove, however, that they have likely affected you or someone you know. Getting tested and knowing basic STD information is key to good health. |
 | There are plenty of reasons you can think of to delay getting an STD test-you're too busy, it's inconvenient, it's embarrassing to ask for on-but there are many more reasons to make sure you get tested for STDs every year. |
 | This list of STDs is one of the most important lists you can learn. There are many STDs that may not show symptoms; it is important to realize just why you should be concerned if you believe you may have been exposed to the STD. |
If you fear that you may have contracted an STD, it is important to get tested as quickly as possible. It is also important to review the following common STD signs. |
While dating does change for those with STDs, you should not lose hope. There are many ways to cope with your dating limitations, some of which may actually enhance your dating relationships. |
