Whether you’re sexually active or not, it’s important to know how to protect yourself from different sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). These are diseases that can be passed from one person to another person through multiple forms and degrees of sexual contact. In fact, The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) records millions of new STD-related infections yearly.
With such a high number, medical experts believe that everyone who’s sexually active is at a very high risk of getting infections. But how can you ensure that you protect yourself from such diseases? Here are some tips to follow. Keep reading to learn more.
Have A Healthy Diet
Diet is a very important part of your health. Because most STDs are caused by harmful microorganisms, a strong immune system could help you.
To have a robust immune system you need to consume food items that are rich in nutrients. For example, foods that are good for herpes include foods high in antioxidants, rich in vitamin C and Omega 3 fatty acids, alkaline foods, and the like. These kinds of food play a major role in preventing the future occurrence of herpes.
You can also include ginger in your diet because it contains gingerol, which is essential in discouraging the growth of harmful bacteria in the body. It’s said that this can help fight some STDs like syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
Use Protection When Having Sex
As mentioned earlier, being sexually active means you’re at higher risk of contracting STDs. Nonetheless, you can still protect yourself while having a sex-positive lifestyle by using protection such as condoms.
Ensure that you use a latex condom for maximum protection. It’s important to note that condoms aren’t 100% effective in protecting against STDs yet they play a significant role in reducing the risk of infections. Also, if you’re using a lubricant, ensure that it’s water-based to avoid allergies or breakage of the condom.
Get Vaccinations
Vaccinations have proved themselves to be a very effective way of preventing STD infections. Common diseases such as the Human pappilloma virus (HPV) and related infections such as genital warts can be prevented through vaccination.
Therefore, if you know that you’re at risk of contracting STDs because of your lifestyle or sexual activities, it’s good to ensure that you get vaccinations to protect yourself.
It’s very important to make sure that you get the right vaccination from a licensed medical practitioner or a medical provider. This may help to avoid triggering any underlying medical condition, as well as to protect your reproductive health and overall well-being.
Practice Abstinence And Stay Vigilant
Abstinence is the voluntary act of not practicing any sexual activity for a specific period of time. It’s the most effective way of ensuring you’re safe from any STD as you avoid any sexual contact.
While abstinence is the best way to stay safe, keep in mind that you can still contract STDs through needle injections, unmonitored blood transfusion, and other non-sexual means; hence, be vigilant at all times.
Test Yourself Regularly
Another good way to protect yourself from STDs is by knowing your status. This means that you need to test yourself regularly.
If you’re sexually active or live a lifestyle that can put you at great risk of getting infections, skipping regular STD screenings is detrimental. Foregoing tests will prevent early detection and administration of proper treatment regimens.
Regular testing will help to ensure that you identify any asymptomatic infections as well. These infections show no symptoms and, henceforth, can be difficult to treat and contain. Testing will help to ensure you’re aware of the infection and you can take necessary measures to manage the symptoms, get treatment, and keep your sexual partner(s) protected.
Practice Monogamy
It’s said that the more sexual partners you have, the higher the chances of you contracting STDs. Experts declare that it’s safer only to have one sexual partner at a time.
To begin, you need to be tested with your partner. Then communicate about faithfulness and loyalty in the relationship so that no one will be at risk of getting infections or inadvertently infecting the other.
Protecting yourself from STDs should be a priority if you lead a sexually active lifestyle or if your daily activities put you at risk of contracting the disease. This will not only protect you but also protect your sexual partner. Follow the tips discussed above and communicate with your partner to ensure you’re on the same page with them regarding the topic of sex health.