It’s true: your sexual orientation doesn’t dictate whether or not you are at risk for STDs. But what type of sex you have, and whether you get tested and use protection, does!
It can be confusing when you’re trying to figure out what kind of sex is safest in terms of avoiding STD transmission, so here’s a great chart that shows what type of STDs you could get for each sex act:.
Worrying about STDs is no fun, so here are some ways to protect yourself and give you ease of mind about STDs.
- Get tested. Keep in mind that for you to get an STD, your partner must already have it. So if you and your partner both test negative, and you are in a mutually monogamous relationship, meaning neither of you hook up with anyone else, then you’re probably in the clear. If you hook up with someone new, or your partner gets with someone new, then you should get tested again.
- Use condoms! Condoms are really amazing, when you think about it. They’re thin, stretchy, inexpensive, and really effective when it comes to preventing STD transmission and pregnancy if you use them right. Now that there’s a way to find free condoms near you, there’s really no excuse not to use them! If you’re using sex toys with a partner, condoms are still a great way to keep your toys clean, and they can also be cut in half and used as a dental dam for oral-vulva or oral-anal sex.
- Talk to your partner. Having clear and open communication with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or sex partner is really important. You deserve to know if they have any other sexual partners, and whether they have been tested for STDs or not.