AVOIDING OTHER PITFALLS, MAKING OTHER CHOICES
Sometimes two people have been together for a certain period of time— months or years—and have been monogamous. They trust each other and want to stop using a barrier method of preventing the spread of STDs. But either or both of them might have acquired a sexually transmitted infection from a previous partner, even if they don’t have any symptoms. Getting a complete STD screening before starting a sexual relationship is the only way to avoid unknowingly passing any such infection along.
After using condoms for six months, Mandy and Alan decided that they didn’t want to any more. Mandy started taking the pill as her birth control method. She and Alan thought it was safe to stop using condoms because they had been together so long that they thought they would have symptoms by now if either of them was infected with an STD from a previous partner. About two weeks later, Alan began experiencing a burning sensation when he urinated. He was diagnosed with nongonococcal urethritis. Mandy was surprised when her gynecologist recommended testing for STDs and treatment as well, even though she hadn’t had any symptoms. Although each denied it, both she and Alan were concerned that the other had been unfaithful. Testing showed that Mandy had cervicitis, which hadn’t caused any symptoms. Most likely, she had been infected by a previous partner, and all the time she and Alan had been using condoms she was symptom-free and unaware of the infection. Alan had been protected until they stopped using condoms.
Casual sex presents plenty of risks, but if you are planning to have casual sex with a partner with whom you do not intend to build a relationship, then be pre- pared. Think about now you are going to protect yourself, such as having a condom available. Sensual massage, mutual masturbation, and other alternatives to intercourse or genital-oral contact are not nearly as risky as other practices, so you might strongly consider these alternatives whenever you find yourself without a condom or with a partner whom you don’t know very well.
Suppose that you do have an episode of unsafe sex. Everyone makes mistakes or makes decisions that in hindsight may not seem wise. If you have put yourself in a situation in which you could have yourself tested. Talk with a health care provider who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of STDs to decide which tests you need, and don’t put it off. Also, think about ways in which you can avoid being in the same situation again. Your sexual health is worth it.
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