Know when and how to talk to your partner about prevention and other sexual health concerns.
Talking about sexual health can be difficult, especially when you are with a new partner. By communicating clearly and openly you can help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and address concerns about birth control and pregnancy prevention.
Here are resources to support decision making around initiating sexual activity for the first time: Am I ready?
Preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
There are some very effective STI prevention methods. STIs are common and often do not cause obvious symptoms. People who have an STI may not know they have it. Condoms are a very effective way to prevent getting or passing on an STI or HIV. Different sexual practices can either increase or decrease the changes of getting an STI or HIV during sexual activity.
It’s important to understand the chances of getting or passing an STI or HIV to partners: Know Your Chances
Talking to partners
Talk to your partner(s) about safer sex as soon as you can. Planning ahead and having condoms easily accessible is an effective way to prevent STIs or pregnancy.
Getting tested
Ideally, it’s best to talk about STI testing before you have sex with a new partner(s). But even if you have already had sex, it’s still a good idea for all partners to get tested.
Here are some examples of how to start the conversation about testing for STIs:
- “Let’s both get tested to care for our health. Either of us could have something and not know it.”
- “I think we should both get checked. Sometimes you can’t tell, so I just want us to be safe for each other.”
- “Just so you know, the last time I got tested was 3 months ago. What about you?”
- “I think we should both get checked…want to go together?”