Women should also avoid douching. This process can cause the organisms in the vaginal area to become unbalanced, increasing the risk of contracting an STD.

You can also protect yourself by avoiding sexual contact if you or your partner are showing symptoms of an infection or are being treated for an STD. If either of you has herpes, then sexual intercourse should be avoided whenever a blister is present or if you feel like an outbreak is coming on. STDs like herpes can be spread even without any physical symptoms, so if you or your partner has genital herpes, you'll need to use a condom every time you have sex.

Protecting yourself means you need to be prepared ahead of time. By keeping safe sex supplies like condoms, dental dams, and lube on-hand, you will always be ready for an intimate encounter.

Risks of Having Unprotected Sex

There are many risks to having unprotected sex. Remember, it is much easier to prevent a sexually transmitted disease than it is to treat one. Infections can often be permanent or difficult to treat. Some sexually transmitted diseases can even be fatal, especially if they go untreated. STDs not only carry health risks but emotional ones as well.

Acquiring an STD is often accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame. The same is true if your partner acquires an STD. Negative feelings are bound to happen and could really damage your self-esteem and your relationship. It's important to remember that you should always take care of yourself by engaging in safe sex whenever possible. In the event that you do acquire an STD, seek treatment immediately and understand that just because you've been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease does not mean you are a "bad" or less-worthy person.