How can I prevent STDs?

Use condoms correctly every time you have sex

Quick Facts

Overview of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Jun 2021| Content last modified Jun 2021

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Internal Female Genital Organs

Male Reproductive Organs

STDs are infections that are passed from person to person through sexual contact, including oral sex.

STDs may be caused by different types of germs, including chlamydia Chlamydia Chlamydia are bacteria that can cause several kinds of infection. One common chlamydia infection is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). An STD is an infection that is spread from person to... read more , gonorrhea Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). An STD is an infection that is spread from person to person by sexual contact. Gonorrhea infects your genitals and, in women, your fallopian... read more , HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection and AIDS The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a type of virus called a retrovirus. It causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), which is life-threatening. HIV is called an immunodeficiency... read more , and syphilis Syphilis Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). An STD is an infection that is spread from person to person by sexual contact. Syphilis spreads easily through anal, oral, or vaginal sex with... read more
Some STDs can be spread through kissing or close body contact, not just intercourse
Some STDs can cause very serious health problems throughout your whole body
Using condoms can help prevent STDs

Pathway From the Vagina to the Ovaries

In women, some organisms can enter the vagina and infect other reproductive organs. From the vagina, these organisms can enter the cervix and uterus and may reach the fallopian tubes and sometimes the ovaries.

Pathway From the Penis to the Epididymis

Occasionally in men, organisms spread up the urethra and travel through the tube that carries sperm from the testis (vas deferens) to infect the epididymis at the top of a testis.

STDs are caused by tiny viruses, bacteria, and parasites, depending on the disease. People who have sex with an infected partner can get an STD. The sex can be vaginal, oral, or anal. However, some STDs also can be spread in other ways, including:

Kissing or close body contact
From mother to child before or during birth
Breastfeeding

Some STDs do not cause symptoms. If you do have symptoms of an STD, you may have:

Sores on your genitals or mouth
Discharge from the sores or your genitals
Pain or itching
Pain when urinating (peeing)

If you don't get treated quickly, some STDs can cause more serious problems:

Heart and brain infections
Cancer
Infertility (when you can't get pregnant)

Doctors may do tests on your blood, urine, or on a sample from your penis, vagina, throat, or rectum.

If you have one STD, doctors also do tests for other STDs—people who have one STD have a relatively high chance of having another one.

Use condoms correctly every time you have sex
Avoid having lots of sex partners
Avoid having sex with people who engage in sex work
Male circumcision (surgery to remove the foreskin from the penis) helps reduce the spread of HIV from women to men

How to Use a Condom

Use a new condom for each act of sexual intercourse.
Use the correct size condom.
Carefully handle the condom to avoid damaging it with fingernails, teeth, or other sharp objects.
Put the condom on after the penis is erect and before any genital contact with the partner.
Determine which way the condom is rolled by placing it on the index finger and gently trying to unroll it, but only a little bit. If it resists, turn it over, and try the other way. Then reroll it.
Place the rolled condom over the tip of the erect penis.
Leave 1/2 inch at the tip of the condom to collect semen.
With one hand, squeeze trapped air out of the tip of the condom.
If uncircumcised, pull the foreskin back before unrolling the condom.
With the other hand, roll the condom over the penis to its base and smooth out any air bubbles.
Make sure that lubrication is adequate during intercourse.
With latex condoms, use only water-based lubricants. Oil-based lubricants (such as petroleum jelly, shortening, mineral oil, massage oils, body lotions, and cooking oil) can weaken latex and cause the condom to break.
Hold the condom firmly against the base of the penis during withdrawal, and withdraw the penis while it is still erect to prevent slippage.

There are vaccines to prevent some STDs:

Most STDs can be treated with medicines. Some viral STDs can't be cured, so you have them for life.

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Overview of Sexually Transmitted Diseases