sexreeducated:

• There are no reliable tests for Herpes. So whenever you go in to get a screening, know that unless you are actively having an outbreak there isn’t anything to test
• No HPV screening exists for men. Unless there is a visual inspection or a biopsy of the wart.
• Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Herpes can have no symptoms. That’s why screening is incredibly important.
• Gonorrhea, Herpes, HPV and Chlamydia can all be transmitted orally.  Oral sex is still sex and Safe Sex rules apply (Condoms and Dental dams)
• The best contraception money can buy is open sexual dialogue. Open honest conversation with your partners is invaluable. It’s your biggest weapon when it comes to safe sex.
• Glyde Dams are kind of awesome. Glyde Dams are safe barriers intended for sexual use, unlike dental dams. They’re weird when you first look at them and seem so unnatural, but the best motto is ‘Better Safe than Sorry!’ 
• Wearing gloves when fingering someone is totally okay. Speaking from experience, sometimes nails have a mind of their own and can cause discomfort. Additionally, though most people shower before they have sex at some point, we don’t usually wash our hands right before foreplay. This opens us up to a host of bacteria that gets introduced directly into a mucus membrane. So if you want to glove up, please don’t be ashamed to do so.

When you go to the doctor, not everyone screens you for STD’s, even if you’re sexually active- So make sure to ask. You should always ask what screening tests your doctor has performed, and don’t hesitate to ask for additional tests if you think they are appropriate. Never hesitate to be your own advocate.

sexreeducated:

• There are no reliable tests for Herpes. So whenever you go in to get a screening, know that unless you are actively having an outbreak there isn’t anything to test
• No HPV screening exists for men. Unless there is a visual inspection or a biopsy of the wart.
• Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Herpes can have no symptoms. That’s why screening is incredibly important.
• Gonorrhea, Herpes, HPV and Chlamydia can all be transmitted orally.  Oral sex is still sex and Safe Sex rules apply (Condoms and Dental dams)
• The best contraception money can buy is open sexual dialogue. Open honest conversation with your partners is invaluable. It’s your biggest weapon when it comes to safe sex.
• Glyde Dams are kind of awesome. Glyde Dams are safe barriers intended for sexual use, unlike dental dams. They’re weird when you first look at them and seem so unnatural, but the best motto is ‘Better Safe than Sorry!’ 
• Wearing gloves when fingering someone is totally okay. Speaking from experience, sometimes nails have a mind of their own and can cause discomfort. Additionally, though most people shower before they have sex at some point, we don’t usually wash our hands right before foreplay. This opens us up to a host of bacteria that gets introduced directly into a mucus membrane. So if you want to glove up, please don’t be ashamed to do so.

When you go to the doctor, not everyone screens you for STD’s, even if you’re sexually active- So make sure to ask. You should always ask what screening tests your doctor has performed, and don’t hesitate to ask for additional tests if you think they are appropriate. Never hesitate to be your own advocate.

sexreeducated:

• There are no reliable tests for Herpes. So whenever you go in to get a screening, know that unless you are actively having an outbreak there isn’t anything to test
• No HPV screening exists for men. Unless there is a visual inspection or a biopsy of the wart.
• Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Herpes can have no symptoms. That’s why screening is incredibly important.
• Gonorrhea, Herpes, HPV and Chlamydia can all be transmitted orally.  Oral sex is still sex and Safe Sex rules apply (Condoms and Dental dams)
• The best contraception money can buy is open sexual dialogue. Open honest conversation with your partners is invaluable. It’s your biggest weapon when it comes to safe sex.
• Glyde Dams are kind of awesome. Glyde Dams are safe barriers intended for sexual use, unlike dental dams. They’re weird when you first look at them and seem so unnatural, but the best motto is ‘Better Safe than Sorry!’ 
• Wearing gloves when fingering someone is totally okay. Speaking from experience, sometimes nails have a mind of their own and can cause discomfort. Additionally, though most people shower before they have sex at some point, we don’t usually wash our hands right before foreplay. This opens us up to a host of bacteria that gets introduced directly into a mucus membrane. So if you want to glove up, please don’t be ashamed to do so.

When you go to the doctor, not everyone screens you for STD’s, even if you’re sexually active- So make sure ask. You should always ask what screening tests your doctor has performed, and don’t hesitate to ask for additional tests if you think they are appropriate. Never hesitate to be your own advocate.

reprohealthdaily:

While chlamydia can be symptom-free, it’s important to remember that discomfort isn’t the only effect of a sexually transmitted infection. Here are some other risks of chlamydia to keep in mind and can remind us why it’s important to get tested!

• If untreated, chlamydial infections can progress to serious reproductive and other health problems with short and long-term consequences.
• In women, untreated infection can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This happens in about 10 to 15 percent of women with untreated chlamydia.
•  Chlamydia can also cause fallopian tube infection without any symptoms. PID and “silent” infection in the upper genital tract can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues.
• The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus).
• Chlamydia may also increase the chances of becoming infected with HIV, if exposed.
• In pregnant women, there is some evidence that untreated chlamydial infections can lead to premature delivery.
•  Babies who are born to infected mothers can get chlamydial infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant pneumonia and conjunctivitis (pink eye) in newborns.

Remember, these aren’t meant to scare you silly. They are just meant to be informative facts that encourage us all to get tested regularly to keep ourselves and our partners safe!