Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD): General Information and Diagnosis

What are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)?

STDs is a short form for Sexually Transmitted Diseases. These diseases spread amongst partners through sexual activity or even through contact with the skin. Sometimes a person may have an STD, but there might be no symptoms and he or she may not be aware of it.

This makes it even more important to take the required measures and keep yourself and your partner safe from infections. The common types of STDs are Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS, Herpes, HPV, Chlamydia and cold sores.

So, How Do You Keep Sexually Transmitted Diseases at Bay?

If you know that you have an STD, you don’t indulge in intercourse. It’s as simple as that. But it isn’t possible to not indulge in intimacy or intercourse with your partner you so dearly love, is it?

This is why there are a few things that you can do before and after sex so that both you and your partner are at minimum risk.

What Can You Do Before Sex to Avoid Sexually Transmitted Diseases?

• Talk to your partner before you get intimate and be upfront whether they have any kind of STD. The same applies to you as well. If both of you haven’t tested for STDs yet, ensure you do that first.
• Do not have intercourse with multiple partners. If you do, each of your partners must know about the situation and must be tested too.
• Whether it’s one partner or multiple, talk about your sexual histories (without being judgmental or jealous). Remember the purpose of this process. It’s not to judge your partner but is a measure to protect your sexual health.
• If you had a few too many drinks on a night, avoid indulging in intercourse then, because people tend to forget to take precautions when intoxicated.
• The tendency to take risks while drunk is also very high. You would not want momentary pleasure in exchange for a lifetime of rashes, discomfort, pain, embarrassment, and visits to the doctor’s clinic.
• Some vaccines can help you keep STDs at bay, namely the HPV and Hepatitis B.

Since not everyone who suffers from STDs has clear symptoms, it is best to get tested so that you are both in the clear.

What Can You Do After and Before Sex to Reduce the Chances of Contracting STD’s?

The one-line answer to this is to ensure that you use condoms. But there is a right way and a wrong way of doing so.

• Read the instructions on the box so that you are sure you have been doing it right.
• Always leave room at the tip of the penis after the condom has been put on.
• Do not unroll the condom before placing it on the penis.
• Never try to remove and put on the same condom again for a better fit.
• Never reuse an old condom.
• After sex, while you withdraw from your partner, hold onto the condom so that it does not fall off or stay in.

While sometimes men may complain that they do not “feel” the same with a condom on, consider unprotected sex as an option only if you and your partner have been exclusive for quite some time now. Never forget to carry a condom in your wallet if you feel a date might make the night longer.

Another important thing to ensure before and after having sex is to wash. Washing up before sex not only removes any odour or residue, but it also helps make the activity much more pleasurable. While the myth that urinating after intercourse prevents women from getting pregnant is not true, peeing after intercourse does help women keep urinary tract infections away.

You might not always know if your partner has an STD, or the act might be spontaneous and, a test result is not something that you would wait for. However, by taking the precautions mentioned above you can highly reduce the chances of getting an STD.

Limit your sexual partners, always use a condom, wash up before and after and you are good to go!

So, dear men, be aware, be responsible for yourself and your partner as this will only result in health and happiness. Trust and follow only expert medical advice.