You know they’re out there. You know the symptoms. You know the consequences. But when it comes right down to it, you probably don’t know if you have one.
I’m talking, of course, about sexually transmitted infections.
Most college students think that once the condom is on, their job is done. Not so fast! While wrapping it every time (for oral sex too!) is a great preventative measure, it’s not the last step in protecting your sexual health.
When I asked some of my sexually active friends if they’d ever been tested for STIs, most of them stared at me blankly. Even though half of all new HIV infections occur in people age 25 or younger, it appears that getting tested is not a popular phenomenon among the nation’s most at-risk.
Some of my friends gave me the run-down of their and their partner’s sexual history as proof of a clean bill of health. This kind of sexual inventory is totally ludicrous. Unless both you and your partner were virgins and have always been in a true-blue monogamous relationship, going on what your partner tells you about their sexual history is not the best way to protect yourself. Even if they are perfectly honest about their past, there’s no guarantee that the people they’ve been with were as truthful.
The bottom line is this: If you aren’t sure of the status of your own sexual health, how can you expect your partner to know theirs?
There’s an easy solution to clear up any doubt — just get tested. The medical standard is that if you’ve had three or more sexual partners in a year, you are a good candidate to get everything checked out. But I would advocate testing for anyone who’s been sexually active.
Taking good care of your sexual health can be nerve-wracking and confusing. Here’s a quick run-down of what do:
It’s a hassle, but getting tested is the responsible thing to do. Your partner might be a little freaked out if you announce that your next date is going to involve rubber gloves and needles, but just assure them that safety is always sexy.