How to prevent STIs
No one wants to get a sexually transmitted infection. However, for any sexually active person, STIs are a fact of life, something you have to consider in order to maintain your own health and the health of those you care about.
So, if you’re interested in finding out how to prevent STIs, keep reading.
Are you worried about STIs? Book an STI test at a sexual health clinic near you.
Abstinence
Abstinence may not be any fun, but it works.
Sexually transmitted infections normally pass between people through the exchange of infected bodily fluids during sexual contact, like semen and vaginal fluids. If you’re not engaging in any sexual contact, it’s incredibly unlikely that you’ll get an STI.
That said, you can still catch some STIs even if you don’t engage in sexual activity. Infections like Syphilis, Herpes, and HPV can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.
So, if you want to avoid getting an STI, don’t have sex!
Non-penetrative sex
Most STIs transmit between people through vaginal sex, anal sex, and oral sex. If you want to lower the likelihood of getting or transmitting an infection, you may want to consider non-penetrative sex acts.
Here are some things you can try to limit the spread of STIs:
- Mutual masturbation: Stimulating yourself with your partner is a great way to share an intimate moment without direct physical contact.
- Outercourse: Outercourse includes activities that involve pleasure without penetration, such as kissing, touching, or rubbing against each other’s bodies.
- Oral sex with protection: While oral sex can transmit some STIs, such as Genital Herpes, Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis, the risk is generally lower compared to vaginal or anal intercourse. Use condoms or dental dams when performing or receiving oral sex to reduce the risk even more.
- Non-penetrative sex: Activities such as sensual massage, kissing, caressing, and using sex toys can provide sexual pleasure without the risk of STI transmission associated with penetration. Just be sure not to share your sex toys unless you sterilise them thoroughly between uses.
Monogamy and mutual testing
If you really want to have sex but still want to limit the risk of STIs, it’s best to be in a mutually monogamous relationship. If both partners only have sex with each other and are not infected, the risk of getting and transmitting an STI is very low (although there are some situations where it’s possible).
Before you start a new sexual relationship, it’s important to engage in a conversation about the nature of your relationship, how you will both conduct yourselves, and what you will expect of each other. Doing so will encourage open communication between you and your partner, mitigating the risk of misunderstandings and disappointments.
You may consider both getting tested for STIs before you have sex. If you both test negative, you can proceed with the relationship with limited risk to your health.
Book an appointment online for you and your partner.
Barrier method contraception
If you’re going to have sex, especially if you’re having sex with multiple sexual partners, contraception is the best way to prevent the spread of STIs. While they don’t guarantee that you won’t get an infection, they will greatly reduce the risk since unprotected sex is the most common way STIs spread.
If you’re having sex with new or multiple partners, use condoms, female condoms, dental dams, and finger cots to create a barrier that will stop the spread of infection.
Vaccination
Some STIs can be prevented through vaccination.
Various strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), which have been linked to certain cancers, can be prevented with a vaccine. The HPV vaccine is available to both men and women and girls and boys in order to prevent the spread of the virus. You can also get vaccinations for infections like Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
Education
The more you know, the more power you have to act.
We are fortunate to live in a time when so much information is available at our fingertips on the internet. However, it can be hard to know what information to trust.
You can find out everything you need to know about STIs and STDs on the Better2Know website. There, you can find information about many different infections, how they behave, the health conditions they cause, and how you can get tested and treated for them.
Follow the links below to find out more about these infections:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Herpes
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Mycoplasma
- Trichomonas
- Ureaplasma
- Gardnerella
Regular testing
If you’re sexually active and not in a committed monogamous relationship, you should get tested often. This involves getting regular STI screens that test for a variety of infections. Doing so will mean you get the clearest possible picture of your sexual health.
Here are some of these STI screens you may want to consider:
Full STI Screen
Better2Know’s Full Screen tests for seven common infections that can cause long term health problems if left untreated.
Our Full Screen tests for:
- HIV I/II & the p24 antigen
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis B
- Mycoplasma
- Ureaplasma
This screen is meant to be taken 28 days after the incident of concern.
Comfort Screen
Our Comfort Screen only requires a simple urine sample. We recommend this screen for people who want to test for STIs but are afraid of needles or do not like giving blood. It’s great for detecting infections that tend to cause discomfort or irritation in the genital area.
Our Comfort Screen tests for:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Herpes I/II (Current Infection)
- Ureaplasma
- Mycoplasma
- Trichomonas
- Gardnerella
This screen is meant to be taken 14 days after the incident of concern.
Platinum Screen
Better2Know’s Platinum Screen is the UK’s most comprehensive STI screen, testing for 11 different infections, giving you fullest possible picture of your sexual health.
Our Platinum Screen tests for:
- HIV I/II and the p24 antigen
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Herpes I/II (Current Infection)
- Mycoplasma
- Ureaplasma
- Trichomonas
- Gardnerella
This screen is meant to be taken 28 days after the incident of concern.
Blemish Screen
Our Blemish Screen is perfect for anyone who may have a lump, wart, blister, rash, or other blemish on their genital area that they want to get checked.
The Blemish Screen tests for:
- Syphilis
- Herpes I/II (Current Infection)
- Genital Warts / HPV
This screen can be taken whenever a visual symptom appears.
Final thoughts
If you’re worried about STIs, it’s best to get tested. Call the number at the top of this page to speak to one of our trained Sexual Health Advisors or click below to book a test at a sexual health clinic near you.
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