It's important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The best way to do this is to make sure that both of you have been tested for STIs and know each other's results. Additionally, condoms should be used with any partner outside of a long-term monogamous sexual relationship. Using a condom correctly every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex can significantly reduce the risk of STI transmission. If you know you're infected, it's important to take steps to protect yourself and your partner.
It's best for your partner to find out about your STD status before you get an infection. When talking about sexual health with your partner, it's important to listen instead of talking all the time. Every person reacts differently to news, so be prepared for your partner to be surprised. It's also important to remember that not everyone who has an STI knows they have it. In the midst of enthusiasm and curiosity, it's essential to learn how to protect yourself from STDs, which can cause all kinds of discomfort and sometimes fatal diseases.
You or your partner may have contracted the STD in a previous relationship without even knowing it. The most helpful thing you can do is to listen to your partner's concerns and fears and offer them information about the STD. If you discover that you have an STD while you're in a relationship, talk to your partner as soon as possible. Being in a long-term monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is one of the most reliable ways to avoid STDs. If you and your partner decide not to have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral sex), there are other ways you can be intimate or express your feelings for each other.
