It’s true… More teens and young adults get STDs than any other age group. There are many reasons why this could be. Some of the reasons have to do with teens and young adults using condoms inconsistently, having sex with more people, and being less likely to be in a long-term monogamous relationship.
Also, it’s just biology! The cervical cells in younger women are more vulnerable to STD’s.
What can you do now to protect yourself from getting an STD?
- Get tested! If you are under the age of 25, you should get tested once a year, and every time you have unprotected sex with a new person. Many STDs do not have symptoms, so you won’t know you have one unless you get checked out. It’s also a good idea to invite your partner to get tested with you, or ask whether he or she has been tested before.
- Use condoms! Condoms are the only way to prevent STD’s if you are having sex, and work very well to prevent infections like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and HIV. However, infections like genital warts or herpes can still happen because the condom can’t completely cover all of the genital area. So even though condoms can’t prevent 100% of STDs, they are still your best defense against getting an STD in the first place!
For more information on staying safe while sexy, check out this article on safer sex.