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Keeping Yourself Safe >From STDs
The
frightening reality is that STDs are still spreading at a very rapid
pace, this is particularly true when it comes to teens and young
adults. Despite attempts to educate young people about the
dangers of having unprotected sex, many young people are still
contracting these diseases.
Avoiding
STDs
In order to
avoid contracting an STD, the most effective method is to not have sex
at all. Of course, this is against human nature and is an
unrealistic expectation. Therefore, it is essential for young
adults or teenagers to engage in safer sex practices. Namely,
if you engage in any type of sexual activity, you must use a condom
each and every time. Condoms are easy to purchase at any local drug or an adult shop,
and they are extremely effective when used properly.
Some people
mistakenly believe that using other forms of birth control, such as the
sponge, birth control pills, and the diaphragm, will effectively
prevent STDs. This is far from the truth. The
reality is that the only form of birth control that will prevent
spreading STDs is the use of condoms.
Unfortunately,
many young adults and teenagers believe that they can use other items
in place of condoms. For example, they might try to use
plastic baggies or other types of barriers that they think are
effective as a condom replacement. The reality is that there
is no proper substitute for a condom. While other items may
capture the semen that is seen after ejaculation, it will not prevent
the germs that cause STDs from transmitting to your partner.
This is because these materials do not have as tight of a weave as a
condom and, as a result, microscopic organisms such as sperm and germs
can still pass through.
Some people
mistakenly believe that they can layer up on their condoms in order to
provide extra protection. This is also a mistake.
When used properly, a single condom will provide plenty of
protection. If you attempt to layer your condoms, you can
actually increase your chances of transmitting STDs because it
increases the likelihood that the condoms will slip off.
Therefore, the best thing you can do is read the directions carefully
and make sure the condom is on properly before engaging in sexual
behavior.
It’s
Not All About Intercourse
One of the
most common mistakes that teens and young adults make is believing that
STDs can only be transmitted through intercourse. In reality,
something as simple as kissing can cause the spread of STDs.
In addition, oral sex and anal sex can lead to STDs, as can using sex
toys.
Even if you
are in a monogamous relationship, you are still at risk of contracting
an STD. This is partly because your partner may be carrying
an STD from previous sexual contact or because your partner may have
sex with another partner without letting you know. Even if
you are confident that your partner is sexually exclusive with you, it
is a good idea to get tested on occasion in order to be absolutely sure
you are safe.
There are a
number of different STDs that are common among young adults and
teenagers – and you do not have to have intercourse to
contract them. Some of the most common STDs include
Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B and C, genital warts, and HIV /
AIDS. Since some of these disease can lead to death or
permanent disability, it is essential that you use proper protection in
order to prevent contracting one of these diseases.
Since each
of these diseases is different, the methods of treatment vary as
well. Some can be treated with antibiotics, though it is
becoming more difficult to successfully treat them with antibiotics
because the diseases are becoming more resilient. Sadly, some
of these diseases cannot be cured at all. Therefore, it is
important to practice safe sex every time you engage in any kind of
sexual activity.
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