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Sexually Transmitted Infections
Safer sex is the best way to reduce your risk for an
STD. Safer sex can include anything you do to prevent the exchange of body fluids like semen, vaginal fluid or blood. The use of condoms is one of the ways to have safer sex.
Talking about STDs and protecting yourself from them can be hard for anyone to do - regardless of their age, gender or level of comfort with their sexuality. This difficulty can get in the way of taking good care of our sexual health and ourselves. The most important thing to remember about
STDs is that anyone can get one. It does not mean that you are "dirty" or "bad". It is important to share your worries with someone you can trust. For good sexual health care, choose a clinician with whom you can be comfortable while discussing these issues.
Many STDs do not have any symptoms at all. So how do you know if you have an STD? Well, the best way is to be tested. Planned Parenthood recommends that women and men get tested for common STDs each time they change sexual partners. All 18 Planned Parenthood health center locations offer affordable, convenient and confidential STD
testing.
Some symptoms of common STIs can include:
- Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis
- Spotting or bleeding after intercourse or between periods
- Painful intercourse
- Painful urination
- Blisters, growths or sores
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