GONORRHEA TESTIMONIALS Well, it all started when I was 15. I had reunited with my first love at that age. Yes I know, it was a bit early. I really loved this guy and the more time I spent with him, the closer I got to him, and I trusted him even more. He kept pressuring me to show him I love him by letting him "make love" to me. This statement never worked on me though, because I paid attention in too many health classes at school. Finally, I began to relive just how much I desired to feel what it was like. Although I wanted to keep my promise of saving myself to my mother, I wanted to know. At first him and I did a lot of just touching and kissing and intimate things like that. I figured I was going to be with him forever so I decided to let him "make love" to me. He put on the condom and many thoughts raced my mind on that August afternoon. It was a little difficult to get it inside but just as he was getting closer, I stopped him. At that point I didn't know whether or not I had already lost it or not, so I let him continue and I lost it. I had so many feelings… I was happy, sad, and felt really guilty. Since then him and I did it every time I saw him. After, that’s all our relationship developed into, and I broke up with him. I've had sex with 3 other guys after him in lengthy relationships. Now I am in love again, and my boyfriend and I went to get tested. We both were diagnosed with Gonorrhea and treated for it the next week. Now I am afraid and I want to get tested for HIV. I don't think that I have HIV, but I also didn't think I had Gonorrhea. I am now 18 and regret losing my virginity. You don't have to be promiscuous to contract an STI. It only takes one time. So if anyone considers having sex I'm not against it because it's a wonderful thing, but I would just advise that they use condoms no matter how much they know someone and trust them. Remember that same person probably trusted their previous loved ones and would have never suspected that they ever had a disease. So please, be safe and "wrap it up"...really. 10-19 previous nEXT

< Back Emergency Contraception Emergency contraception consists of methods that can be used by women after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception methods have varying ranges of effectiveness depending on the method and timing of administration. Types of Emergency Contraception Intrauterine Device Cu-IUD ECPs UPA in a single dose (30 mg) Levonorgestrel in a single dose (1.5 mg) or as a split dose (1 dose of 0.75 mg of levonorgestrel followed by a second dose of 0.75 mg of levonorgestrel 12 hours later) Combined estrogen and progestin in 2 doses (Yuzpe regimen: 1 dose of 100 µg of ethinyl estradiol plus 0.50 mg of levonorgestrel followed by a second dose of 100 µg of ethinyl estradiol plus 0.50 mg of levonorgestrel 12 hours later) Initiation of Emergency Contraception Timing Cu-IUD The Cu-IUD can be inserted within 5 days of the first act of unprotected sexual intercourse as an emergency contraceptive. In addition, when the day of ovulation can be estimated, the Cu-IUD can be inserted beyond 5 days after sexual intercourse, as long as insertion does not occur >5 days after ovulation. ECPs ECPs should be taken as soon as possible within 5 days of unprotected sexual intercourse. Comments and Evidence Summary. Cu-IUDs are highly effective as emergency contraception (283) and can be continued as regular contraception. UPA and levonorgestrel ECPs have similar effectiveness when taken within 3 days after unprotected sexual intercourse; however, UPA has been shown to be more effective than the levonorgestrel formulation 3–5 days after unprotected sexual intercourse. The combined estrogen and progestin regimen is less effective than UPA or levonorgestrel and also is associated with more frequent occurrence of side effects (nausea and vomiting). The levonorgestrel formulation might be less effective than UPA among obese women. Two studies of UPA use found consistent decreases in pregnancy rates when administered within 120 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. Five studies found that the levonorgestrel and combined regimens decreased risk for pregnancy through the fifth day after unprotected sexual intercourse; however, rates of pregnancy were slightly higher when ECPs were taken after 3 days. A meta-analysis of levonorgestrel ECPs found that pregnancy rates were low when administered within 4 days after unprotected sexual intercourse but increased at 4–5 days (Level of evidence: I to II-2, good to poor, direct). Advance Provision of ECPs An advance supply of ECPs may be provided so that ECPs will be available when needed and can be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse. Comments and Evidence Summary. A systematic review identified 17 studies that reported on safety or effectiveness of advance ECPs in adult or adolescent women. Any use of ECPs was two to seven times greater among women who received an advance supply of ECPs. However, a summary estimate (relative risk = 0.97; 95% confidence interval = 0.77–1.22) of five randomized controlled trials did not indicate a significant reduction in unintended pregnancies at 12 months with advance provision of ECPs. In the majority of studies among adults or adolescents, patterns of regular contraceptive use, pregnancy rates, and incidence of STDs did not vary between those who received advance ECPs and those who did not. Although available evidence supports the safety of advance provision of ECPs, effectiveness of advance provision of ECPs in reducing pregnancy rates at the population level has not been demonstrated (Level of evidence: I to II-3, good to poor, direct). Initiation of Regular Contraception After ECPs UPA Advise the woman to start or resume hormonal contraception no sooner than 5 days after use of UPA, and provide or prescribe the regular contraceptive method as needed. For methods requiring a visit to a health care provider, such as DMPA, implants, and IUDs, starting the method at the time of UPA use may be considered; the risk that the regular contraceptive method might decrease the effectiveness of UPA must be weighed against the risk of not starting a regular hormonal contraceptive method. The woman needs to abstain from sexual intercourse or use barrier contraception for the next 7 days after starting or resuming regular contraception or until her next menses, whichever comes first. Any non hormonal contraceptive method can be started immediately after the use of UPA. Advise the woman to have a pregnancy test if she does not have a withdrawal bleed within 3 weeks. Levonorgestrel and Combined Estrogen and Progestin ECPs Any regular contraceptive method can be started immediately after the use of levonorgestrel or combined estrogen and progestin ECPs. The woman needs to abstain from sexual intercourse or use barrier contraception for 7 days. Advise the woman to have a pregnancy test if she does not have a withdrawal bleed within 3 weeks. Comments and Evidence Summary.The resumption or initiation of regular hormonal contraception after ECP use involves consideration of the risk for pregnancy if ECPs fail and the risks for unintended pregnancy if contraception initiation is delayed until the subsequent menstrual cycle. A health care provider may provide or prescribe pills, the patch, or the ring for a woman to start no sooner than 5 days after use of UPA. For methods requiring a visit to a health care provider, such as DMPA, implants, and IUDs, starting the method at the time of UPA use may be considered; the risk that the regular contraceptive method might decrease the effectiveness of UPA must be weighed against the risk of not starting a regular hormonal contraceptive method. Data on when a woman can start regular contraception after ECPs are limited to pharmacodynamic data and expert opinion. In one pharmacodynamic study of women who were randomly assigned to either UPA or placebo groups mid-cycle followed by a 21-day course of combined hormonal contraception found no difference between UPA and placebo groups in the time for women’s ovaries to reach quiescence by ultrasound and serum estradiol; this finding suggests that UPA did not have an effect on the combined hormonal contraception. In another pharmacodynamic study with a crossover design, women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) UPA followed by desogestrel for 20 days started 1 day later; 2) UPA plus placebo; or 3) placebo plus desogestrel for 20 days. Among women taking UPA followed by desogestrel, a higher incidence of ovulation in the first 5 days was found compared with UPA alone (45% versus 3%, respectively), suggesting desogestrel might decrease the effectiveness of UPA. No concern exists that administering combined estrogen and progestin or levonorgestrel formulations of ECPs concurrently with systemic hormonal contraception decreases the effectiveness of either emergency or regular contraceptive methods because these formulations do not have antiprogestin properties like UPA. If a woman is planning to initiate contraception after the next menstrual bleeding after ECP use, the cycle in which ECPs are used might be shortened, prolonged, or involve unscheduled bleeding. Prevention and Management of Nausea and Vomiting with ECP Use Nausea and Vomiting Levonorgestrel and UPA ECPs cause less nausea and vomiting than combined estrogen and progestin ECPs. Routine use of antiemetics before taking ECPs is not recommended. Pretreatment with antiemetics may be considered depending on availability and clinical judgment. Vomiting Within 3 Hours of Taking ECPs Another dose of ECP should be taken as soon as possible. Use of an antiemetic should be considered. Comments and Evidence Summary. Many women do not experience nausea or vomiting when taking ECPs, and predicting which women will experience nausea or vomiting is difficult. Although routine use of antiemetics before taking ECPs is not recommended, antiemetics are effective in some women and can be offered when appropriate. Health-care providers who are deciding whether to offer antiemetics to women taking ECPs should consider the following: 1) women taking combined estrogen and progestin ECPs are more likely to experience nausea and vomiting than those who take levonorgestrel or UPA ECPs; 2) evidence indicates that antiemetics reduce the occurrence of nausea and vomiting in women taking combined estrogen and progestin ECPs; and 3) women who take antiemetics might experience other side effects from the antiemetics. A systematic review examined incidence of nausea and vomiting with different ECP regimens and effectiveness of anti nausea drugs in reducing nausea and vomiting with ECP use. The levonorgestrel regimen was associated with significantly less nausea than a nonstandard dose of UPA (50 mg) and the standard combined estrogen and progestin regimen. Use of the split-dose levonorgestrel showed no differences in nausea and vomiting compared with the single-dose levonorgestrel (Level of evidence: I, good-fair, indirect). Two trials of anti nausea drugs, meclizine and metoclopramide, taken before combined estrogen and progestin ECPs, reduced the severity of nausea. Significantly less vomiting occurred with meclizine but not metoclopramide (Level of evidence: I, good-fair, direct). No direct evidence was found regarding the effects of vomiting after taking ECPs. Previous Next

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Some health effects caused by HPV can be prevented by the HPV vaccines. What is HPV? Should I get the HPV vaccine? HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). HPV is a different virus than HIV and HSV (herpes). 79 million Americans, most in their late teens and early 20s, are infected with HPV. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. But there are vaccines that can stop these health problems from happening. How is HPV spread? You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. You also can develop symptoms years after you have sex with someone who is infected. This makes it hard to know when you first became infected. Does HPV cause health problems? In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer. Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area. Does HPV cause cancer? HPV can cause cervical and other cancers including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. It can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (called oropharyngeal cancer). Cancer often takes years, even decades, to develop after a person gets HPV. The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types of HPV that can cause cancers. There is no way to know which people who have HPV will develop cancer or other health problems. People with weak immune systems (including those with HIV/AIDS) may be less able to fight off HPV. They may also be more likely to develop health problems from HPV. How can I avoid HPV and the health problems it can cause? You can do several things to lower your chances of getting HPV. Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective. It can protect against diseases (including cancers) caused by HPV when given in the recommended age groups. (See “Who should get vaccinated?” below) CDC recommends HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12 years (or can start at age 9 years) and for everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already. For more information on the recommendations, please see: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/hpv/public/index.html Get screened for cervical cancer. Routine screening for women aged 21 to 65 years old can prevent cervical cancer. If you are sexually active: Use latex condoms the right way every time you have sex. This can lower your chances of getting HPV. But HPV can infect areas not covered by a condom – so condoms may not fully protect against getting HPV; Be in a mutually monogamous relationship – or have sex only with someone who only has sex with you. Who should get vaccinated? HPV vaccination is recommended at age 11 or 12 years (or can start at age 9 years) and for everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already. Vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their healthcare provider about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination. HPV vaccination in this age range provides less benefit. Most sexually active adults have already been exposed to HPV, although not necessarily all of the HPV types targeted by vaccination. At any age, having a new sex partner is a risk factor for getting a new HPV infection. People who are already in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship are not likely to get a new HPV infection. How do I know if I have HPV? There is no test to find out a person’s “HPV status.” Also, there is no approved HPV test to find HPV in the mouth or throat. There are HPV tests that can be used to screen for cervical cancer. These tests are only recommended for screening in women aged 30 years and older. HPV tests are not recommended to screen men, adolescents, or women under the age of 30 years. Most people with HPV do not know they are infected and never develop symptoms or health problems from it. Some people find out they have HPV when they get genital warts. Women may find out they have HPV when they get an abnormal Pap test result (during cervical cancer screening). Others may only find out once they’ve developed more serious problems from HPV, such as cancers. How common is HPV and the health problems caused by HPV? HPV (the virus): About 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. About 14 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is so common that almost every person who is sexually-active will get HPV at some time in their life if they don’t get the HPV vaccine. Health problems related to HPV include genital warts and cervical cancer. Genital warts: Before HPV vaccines were introduced, roughly 340,000 to 360,000 women and men were affected by genital warts caused by HPV every year.* Also, about one in 100 sexually active adults in the U.S. has genital warts at any given time. Cervical cancer: Every year, nearly 12,000 women living in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 4,000 women die from cervical cancer—even with screening and treatment. There are other conditions and cancers caused by HPV that occur in people living in the United States. Every year, approximately 19,400 women and 12,100 men are affected by cancers caused by HPV. *These figures only look at the number of people who sought care for genital warts. This could be an underestimate of the actual number of people who get genital warts. I’m pregnant. Will having HPV affect my pregnancy? If you are pregnant and have HPV, you can get genital warts or develop abnormal cell changes on your cervix. Abnormal cell changes can be found with routine cervical cancer screening. You should get routine cervical cancer screening even when you are pregnant. Can I be treated for HPV or health problems caused by HPV? There is no treatment for the virus itself. However, there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause: Genital warts can be treated by your healthcare provider or with prescription medication. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number. Cervical precancer can be treated. Women who get routine Pap tests and follow up as needed can identify problems before cancer develops. Prevention is always better than treatment. < Previous Next > ​

Tribadism And Beyond Can lesbians get STIs? Taking care of your sexual health is super important no matter who you’re attracted to. There’s a myth out there that women who only have sex with women don’t get sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Unfortunately, this just isn’t true. Some STIs can be transmitted through skin to skin contact, and there are still often bodily fluids involved in sex between two vagina-havers. The risk of STIs is generally lower with sex between two people with vaginas, but there’s still a risk. The only way to be 100% safe is to not have partnered sex. If/when you decide you want to have sex, it’s important to understand how to effectively reduce your risk. Here’s what you need to know about STI risk and how to have safer sex. Different sex acts carry different risks. Unprotected oral sex (cunnilingus, eating out, assuming that there are vaginal fluids involved) puts you at risk for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HPV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, A and C. There is also a small chance of transmitting HIV, but this is quite rare, and would require the person giving oral sex to have cuts or open sores in or around their mouth. The chances of transmission are higher if the giver has gum disease, or the receiver is on their period. Manual sex (fingering) has a fairly low STI risk, but you can still potentially get chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, HPV or genital warts. Sharing sex toys has a low STI risk. If you don’t wash toys in between uses, or use barriers like condoms, you or your partner could potentially get BV, a UTI, or chlamydia. Using a strap-on could pass on herpes or HPV, since there is some direct genital touching going on. Tribbing (or rubbing your genitals together without clothes) puts you and your partner at risk of chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, pelvic inflammatory disease, public lice, trichomoniasis, and HPV. There is also a low risk for HIV. HIV can be transmitted if fluids are involved, or one or both of you has cuts (which you could get from shaving, or just friction). Analingus (rimming) is anytime a mouth comes into contact with an anus. Herpes, syphilis, hepatitis A, and intestinal parasites can all be transmitted. How to Protect Yourself Regular STI testing: Everyone who is sexually active should get regularly tested for STIs. Talk to your partner about when they were last tested, and what for. Talk to your doctor about how often you should get tested. Dental dams: A dental dam is a thin piece of latex that you put over a partner’s genital area for oral sex or analingus. This creates a physical barrier to avoid the transmission of STIs, much like a condom. You can even make a dental dam from a condom. Just cut off the tip and then cut the condom lengthwise! You can put a little lube on the vulva side of the dental dam to make it more pleasurable for the receiver. It’s true, unfortunately, that not many couples use dental dams. One Australian study found that less than 10% of women who had oral sex with women had used one in the last 6 months, and only 2.1% used them “often.” However, dental dams are still a great way to practice safe oral sex! You can get them at drug stores, online, and at many community health clinics. Condoms: Using condoms on sex toys can prevent the spread of STIs. Change condoms every time you use the toy on a new partner or a new genital area (such as on the vulva or vagina, and then the anus). If you don’t have condoms on hand, you can wash sex toys with hot water and soap. Latex gloves: You can help prevent the spread of STIs by using latex gloves with lube during manual sex (fingering). Change the gloves before touching your own genitals or another genital area (like the vulva or vagina and then the anus). Washing your hands for a full 20 seconds before manual sex can also help prevent the spread of STIs. With tribbing, there is unfortunately not a great way to protect yourself. Your best bet is to get tested regularly for STIs, and talk to your partner about their testing history. Other things to keep in mind STI risk is higher when you or one of your partners is on their period. This is because the cervix is slightly more open (meaning infections are more likely to get in) and because blood can contain STIs. If you or your partner is on their period, be extra sure to use protection. The risk of spreading STIs is also higher if there’s a lot of friction. This is because friction can create tiny, microscopic cuts in the skin or inside the vagina or anus. These cuts are entry points for infections. Blood that can come out of these cuts can also transmit infections. To avoid friction, go slow and use lube (which we talk more about here). It’s also a good idea to keep your fingernails short if you’re performing manual sex. This way, they’re less likely to cut your partner.

Abstinence What’s Abstinence? Sexual abstinence is defined as refraining from all forms of sexual activity and genital contact such as vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

Teen Mom Speaks 15 to 17 "I was 16 and still in high school. One thing I wish I had known was how big of an emotional toll being in separate households from my boyfriend was going to be. I was a single mother and I developed terrible baby blues, which caused me to leave the father of my baby." — Kyndal, 19

Cost Of Raising a Kid For a middle-income family to raise a child born in 2015 through the age of 17, the cost of rearing a child has hit $233,610, according to the report. The price jump is a 3% increase from the previous year, according to the report, with housing taking up a bulk of the expense at 29% of the cost. Food took the second biggest expense at 18%, according to the report. The report, which tracks seven categories of family spending, including housing, transportation and clothing, helps court systems and government agencies determine the costs of child-support. The report does not track payments for college or financial contributions from non-parental sources, including government aid, Bloomberg reported. The increase this year falls below the historic average annual increase of 4.3%, according to Bloomberg. Transportation expenses, driving in particular, have fallen due to lower projected energy costs. Among upper-income families, costs for childcare and education have increased. The report classifies middle-class families as having a before-tax income of $59,200 to $107,000. Families with lower incomes are expected to spend $174,690, while families with higher incomes will likely spend $372,210.

SUSAN C MOFFET, PC SUSAN C MOFFET, PC Adoption & Family Formation Law SUSAN C MOFFET, PC Open Adopt Open Adopt Only you can decide which choice is right for you. Whatever you decide, we’ll stand by you, offering our compassion, guidance and support. By exploring each pregnancy option thoroughly, you will gain clarity about what choice feels best to you. Open Adopt Boys And Girls Society Of Oregon Boys And Girls Society Of Oregon The most powerful support in the world is family. We're committed to ensuring every child grows up with a family of their own. Boys And Girls Society Of Oregon All Options Hotline All Options Hotline ​ All Options Hotline National Pro Choice Adoption Collaborative National Pro Choice Adoption Collaborative NPAC is Open Adoption & Family Services (OA&FS) and Friends in Adoption (FIA). We are very unique in that we are pro-choice, not religiously affiliated and do not discriminate. National Pro Choice Adoption Collaborative

The Pill Club $0 with most insurance (low prices without) and best of all, you can skip the drug store line. Get treated right with The Pill Club. ​

Characteristics of Healthy Relationships 50 Characteristics of Healthy Relationships If you can say yes to most of these, it's very likely you're in a healthy relationship: 1. You can name your partner’s best friend and identify a positive quality that the person has. 2. You and your partner are playful with each other. 3. You think your partner has good ideas. 4. You’d like to become more like your partner, at least in some ways. 5. Even when you disagree, you can acknowledge that your partner makes sensible points. 6. You think about each other when you’re not physically together. 7. You see your partner as trustworthy. 8. In relationship-relevant areas, such as warmth and attractiveness, you view your partner a little bit more positively than they view themselves or than most other people view them. 9. You enjoy the ways your partner has changed and grown since you met. 10. Your partner is enthusiastic when something goes right for you. 11. When you reunite at the end of the day, you say something positive before you say something negative. 12. You reminisce about positive experiences you've had together in the past. 13. You can name one of your partner’s favorite books. 14. You know your partner’s aspirations in life. 15. You can recall something you did together that was new and challenging for both of you. 16. You kiss every day. 17. You’re comfortable telling your partner about things that make you feel vulnerable, such as worries about getting laid off. 18. You have your own “love language” (pet names or special signs you give each other). 19. You know your partner’s most embarrassing moment from childhood. 20. You know your partner’s proudest moment from childhood. 21. You never, or very rarely, express contempt for your partner by rolling your eyes, swearing at them, or calling them crazy. 22. You can list some positive personality qualities which your partner inherited from their parents. 23. If you have children together, you can list some positive personality qualities your partner has passed on to your children. 24. You enjoy supporting your partner’s exploration of personal goals and dreams, even when this involves you staying home. article continues after advertisement 25. You have a sense of security: You’re confident your partner wouldn’t be unfaithful, or do something to jeopardize your combined financial security. 26. When you argue, you still have a sense that your partner cares about your feelings and opinions. 27. Your partner lets you into their inner emotional world—they make their thoughts and feelings accessible to you. 28. You frequently express appreciation for each other. 29. You frequently express admiration for each other. 30. You feel a sense of being teammates with your partner. 31. You know your partner’s favorite song. 32. You have a sense that your individual strengths complement each other. 33. When you say goodbye in the morning, it’s mindful and affectionate. 34. If you’ve told your partner about trauma you’ve experienced, they’ve reacted kindly. 35. You don’t flat-out refuse to talk about topics that are important to your partner. 36. You respect your partner’s other relationships with family or friends and view them as important. 37. You have fun together. 38. You see your partner’s flaws and weaknesses in specific rather than general ways. (For example, you get annoyed about them forgetting to pick up the towels, but you don’t generally see them as inconsiderate.) 39. You’re receptive to being influenced by your partner; you’ll try their suggestions. 40. You're physically affectionate with each other. article continues after advertisement 41. You enjoy spending time together. 42. You feel a zing when you think about how you first met. 43. You can name your partner's favorite relative. 44. You can name your partner's most beloved childhood pet. 45. You can articulate what your partner sees as the recipe for happiness. 46. When you feel stressed or upset, you turn toward your partner for comfort, rather than turning away from your partner and trying to deal with it yourself. 47. You have a sense that it's easy to get your partner's attention if you've got something important to say. 48. You like exploring your partner's body. 49. You can name your partner's favorite food. 50. If you could only take one person to a deserted island, you'd take your partner. THE SAFE PROJECT The SAFE Project provides emergency services and advocacy to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. *24-Hour Crisis Line *Emergency Shelter *Crisis Response Team *Assistance to clients who have been victims of domestic violence or sexual assault Call NOW

STI Prevention Learn more about how you can prevent STIs and keep you and your partners safe. Get the Facts Arm yourself with basic information about STIs: How are these diseases spread? How can you protect yourself? What are the treatment options? Learn the answers to these questions by reading the STI Fact Sheets. Take Control You have the facts; now protect yourself and your sexual partners. Abstinence The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have sex (i.e., anal, vaginal or oral). Vaccination Vaccines are safe, effective, and recommended ways to prevent hepatitis B and HPV. HPV vaccines for males and females can protect against some of the most common types of HPV. It is best to get all three doses (shots) before becoming sexually active. However, HPV vaccines are recommended for all teen girls and women through age 26 and all teen boys and men through age 21, who did not get all three doses of the vaccine when they were younger. You should also get vaccinated for hepatitis B if you were not vaccinated when you were younger. Reduce Number of Sex Partners Reducing your number of sex partners can decrease your risk for STIs. It is still important that you and your partner get tested, and that you share your test results with one another. Mutual Monogamy Mutual monogamy means that you agree to be sexually active with only one person, who has agreed to be sexually active only with you. Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is one of the most reliable ways to avoid STIs. But you must both be certain you are not infected with STIs. It is important to have an open and honest conversation with your partner. Use Condoms Correct and consistent use of the male latex condom is highly effective in reducing STI transmission. Use a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex. If you have latex allergies, synthetic non-latex condoms can be used. But it is important to note that these condoms have higher breakage rates than latex condoms. Natural membrane condoms are not recommended for STI prevention. Put Yourself to the Test Knowing your STI status is a critical step to stopping STI transmission. If you know you are infected you can take steps to protect yourself and your partners. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider to test you for STIs — asking is the only way to know whether you are receiving the right tests. And don’t forget to tell your partner to ask a healthcare provider about STD testing as well. Many STIs can be easily diagnosed and treated. If either you or your partner is infected, both of you need to receive treatment at the same time to avoid getting re-infected. Local Clinics

Cost of Condoms and Birth Control They are A LOT Cheaper than having a baby... Birth Control: Prices vary depending on whether you have health insurance, or if you qualify for Medicaid or other government programs that cover the cost of birth control pills. For most brands, 1 pill pack lasts for 1 month, and each pack can cost anywhere from $0-$50. But they’re totally free with most health insurance plans, or if you qualify for some government programs. Condoms: Affordable or free condoms are often available at health centers, family planning clinics, your local health department, community centers, college health centers, or your doctor’s office.