Poll

Have you gotten tested for STDs in the past six months?:
Hookup to our text-messaging service

Hookup Tip for This Week

Herpes, HPV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea = STDs that often don't show; Get tested to know.

Herpes, HPV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea = STDs that often don't show; Get tested to know.

When you are sexually active, you should get tested every six months to make sure you have not contracted any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

STDs are very common in the United States. About 1.2 million chlamydia cases and 350,000 gonorrhea cases are reported by the Centers for Disease Control each year, and the majority are among young people. Further, at least 70% of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives.

You can always say no to sex. And you can always change your mind.

Having sex is a big decision. Just because you have had sex in the past does not mean you need to have sex again.  Remember that you are the person in charge of your body, your mind and your heart, and you are the only one who can make sure the decisions you make are right for you.

The best way to ensure health for you and your partner is to make sure you really think about the situation before you take any action. Ask yourself:

On the pill, shot or patch? You still need condoms to protect against STDs.

While the hormones in these methods stop you from getting pregnant, they will not stop you from getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).  Male and female condoms will help protect you from getting and giving some kinds of STIs. When used correctly, male condoms are nearly 99.99% effective at preventing transmission of an STI such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and HIV from one person to another.

Many people know how to use condoms in some ways, but not always in the best ways so they don’t break of slip off the penis. Remember these facts:

It may seem like everyone's doing it, but only 50% of high school teens are having sex.

In a national survey, researchers found that only half of all high school students are having sex, which goes against the image we see in TV and movies, where it seems like everyone is doing it. Sometimes it seems like everyone you know is having sex, but remember, definitely not everyone is doing it, and sometimes people exaggerate or even lie about their actions.

Sexiest words ever: Wanna get safe?

Posted January 25, 2010 - 10:37am by Judith Pierce

More than, “you look hot”, more than “want to eat some chocolate,” the three words I proclaim to be the sexiest ever tell me that I have communication with my partner, that our health is important, and our common desire is to have a fun time where we both feel comfortable and safe.

|More
Subscribe
Syndicate content