When you make the decision to have sexual intercourse, it is important to remember that you are putting yourself at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). One of the main keys to preventing STDs is knowing the facts. There are many different myths out there about STDs that you should know about. Here are a few.

Myth: You will know if the person you have sex with has an STD

Truth: STDs are not always easy to identify. Some people never even have any symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease. They only learn that they have them through blood tests or other tests that are used to diagnose STDs. Even if there are symptoms, it is likely that they are ones that only the person will know about, such as itching. If someone has had an STD like herpes, it is possible that it may be in remission. This does not mean that it cannot be spread to you, however. You cannot tell just by looking at someone’s genitals whether or not they have a sexually transmitted disease.

Myth: Condoms protect you from getting all STDs

Truth: Condoms do help protect you from getting STDs. You will be much less likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease if you use a condom as opposed to if you did not use one. That said, there are certain STDs which are known to be spread even when condoms are used. Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, is a sexually transmitted disease that is known to cause genital warts or cervical cancer. Due to the fact that it is spread by skin-to-skin contact, a condom may not necessarily be enough to protect you. This means that it is important to have sex only when you are in a committed, monogamous relationship. Even then, you should be careful and always use a condom.

Myth: STDs cannot be spread through oral sex

Truth: Popular to widespread belief, it is possible to spread or contract a sexually transmitted disease through oral sex. If you are performing oral sex on a partner who has a STD, it is possible for you to contract it. Also keep in mind that you can give your partner a STD by performing oral sex as well. Herpes, genital warts, and syphilis are just a few of the different examples of STDs which can be spread through oral sex. If you are planning to perform oral sex, it can be a good idea to purchase flavored condoms, which are designed solely for this purpose.

These are just three common myths about sexually transmitted diseases. In order to prevent yourself from getting one, the best thing that you can do is always be careful. Using condoms when taking part in any sexual acts will help prevent you from spreading or contracting a STD. Before making the decision to have sexual intercourse with your partner, it can be a great idea to go get tested for STDs together. This will help ensure that you both know that the other one is STD-free.

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