It’s important to take the proper precautions, and use the proper protections, before becoming sexually active. If you don’t want to end up with an unwanted pregnancy or a sexually transmitted disease, you’ll have to practice safe sex.

During sexual intercourse, it’s extremely easy for an infected person to pass certain sexually transmitted diseases – such as herpes, gonorrhea, Chlamydia or syphilis – to his or her partner.

You can lower your chance of getting one of these sexually transmitted diseases – and decrease your risk of getting pregnant – by making sure you or your partner uses a latex condom every time you have intercourse. If you haven’t been doing this, you should get tested for sexually transmitted diseases.

By not practicing safe sex, you also run the risk of contracting HIV or AIDS. AIDS, which is caused by the HIV virus, prevents the body from fighting off infections or illnesses.

Age is no barrier to HIV/AIDS. In fact, 10 percent of all AIDS cases in the United States have occurred in people who are over the age of 50.

It’s important to realize that no one is immune to contracting either sexually transmitted diseases or AIDS and HIV. It’s important to know the sexual history of your partners, and to make sure these partners get tested for sexually transmitted diseases before you begin having sexual intercourse with them.

Protecting yourself from sexually transmitted diseases or AIDS does not have to be a chore. It simply requires some common sense and a bit of preparedness. In the long run, these preparations will be well worth the effort.

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Filed under: Safe Sex