If you have multiple sex partners, you may have questions about your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection and when to get tested. It is important to get tested for STIs because you may have an infection without knowing it. Thanks to pharmacy Humble, your healthcare provider can test you for STI and recommend the appropriate treatment. The type of STI screening and how often you need it depends on age and sexual behaviors.
Abstaining from all intimate contact is the only way to avoid getting a sexually transmitted infection completely. For most people, though, this is not practical. But there are various practices you can adopt to prevent STIs. They include:
Seek STI testing
Consider STI testing for you and your partner before you enter a new relationship. This is a great way to prevent getting infected or transmitting an infection to someone else. You should be tested even more frequently if one or both of you are at high risk of disease. If you or your partner are being treated for an STI, wait until you are done before resuming sexual activity. If you don’t, you and your partner could have recurrent infections.
Have one sexual partner
Having sex within a mutually monogamous relationship reduces our chances of getting an STI. It is even best when each partner starts the relationship with a negative test result. During the relationship duration, it is vital to commit to having sex with your partner only.
It is important to understand that STI testing is not 100 percent accurate; the test can result in false positives and false negatives. For example, the herpes virus can lay dormant and undetected for years before a flare-up occurs. This explains why you or your partner may be diagnosed with herpes despite long-term monogamy.
Have safe sex
You must practice safer sex if you or your partner also have sex with other people. This is also vital if you do not trust your partner’s behavior. Use an internal condom, external condom, or dental dam every time you engage in intimate contact; this includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Although barriers are not 100% protective against STIs, they significantly reduce your risk. It is important to practice safe sex every time you have an encounter. Take charge of your sexual health, and always bring your safer sex supplies.
Avoid alcohol and drugs before having sex.
Drugs and alcohol impair your judgment and make it difficult for you to make responsible choices about sex. When under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you are more likely to have sex with someone you wouldn’t have sex with when sober. You may also have difficulty practicing safe sex when under the influence.
Know your limits
It may be hard to think clearly and make sound decisions when our emotions are up and running. That explains why you should determine how far you are willing to go before the heat of the moment. Making a decision early enough will help you establish a clear line. But it is still essential to have an external or internal condom, should you change your mind.
If you have been intimate with someone you don’t trust, visit your healthcare provider at Calvary Urgent Care for STI testing.
