infections
Overview of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Prevention of STIs
The following can help prevent STIs: Safer sex practices, including Condoms every time for oral, anal, or genital sex Decreased risk of exposure to STIs by reducing the number of sex partners, not having high-risk sex partners (people with many sex partners or who do not practice safer sex), or practicing mutual monogamy or abstinence Vaccination, available for some STIs Circumcision (which can also reduce the spread of HIV to men) Prompt diagnosis and treatment of STIs (to prevent spread to other people) Identification of the sexual contacts of infected people, followed by counseling or treatment of these contacts Vaccines are available for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine , People at high risk of HIV infection may take medications prior to being exposed to prevent becoming infected (see Preventive treatment before exposure ). Condoms must be used correctly to be effective. Condoms should be applied before penetration. Correct use involves the following: 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. 