What are the 100 ways to prevent STDs?

While providing an exhaustive list of 100 unique ways to prevent STDs is challenging due to overlaps and nuances, here's a comprehensive approach incorporating various preventative measures and focusing on risk reduction strategies informed by available references:

It's important to understand that preventing STDs involves a combination of safe practices, awareness, and responsible communication. The references highlight several key strategies:

• Use condoms or dental dams correctly.
• Get vaccinated.
• Have frank conversations with sexual partners.
• Avoid sexual contact if you think you may have an STD.
• Get tested for STDs.
• Avoid sharing towels or clothes.

Below are actionable steps, grouped thematically, to minimize your risk.

Safe Sex Practices

1. Consistent Condom Use: Use latex or polyurethane condoms every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
2. Correct Condom Application: Learn and practice the correct way to put on and remove a condom.
3. Dental Dams for Oral Sex: Use dental dams during oral sex on a woman to prevent transmission.
4. Water-Based Lubricants: Use water-based lubricants to prevent condom breakage.
5. Avoid Oil-Based Lubricants with Latex Condoms: Oil-based lubricants can degrade latex condoms.
6. Check Condom Expiration Dates: Ensure condoms haven't expired.
7. Store Condoms Properly: Keep condoms in a cool, dry place.
8. One Condom at a Time: Never use more than one condom at a time.
9. Female Condoms: Consider using female condoms as an alternative.
10. Communicate About Condom Use: Talk to your partner about using condoms before engaging in sexual activity.

Vaccination

11. HPV Vaccine: Get vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus), which can cause genital warts and certain cancers.
12. Hepatitis B Vaccine: Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
13. Know Vaccine Schedules: Follow recommended vaccination schedules for optimal protection.
14. Consult Your Doctor: Talk to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you.
15. Document Your Vaccinations: Keep a record of your vaccinations.

Communication & Awareness

16. Open Communication with Partners: Talk openly and honestly with your partner(s) about your sexual history and STD status.
17. Discuss Testing History: Share your testing history with your partner(s).
18. Mutual Agreement on Exclusivity: If you're in a monogamous relationship, ensure you and your partner agree to be sexually exclusive.
19. Ask Partners About Their History: Ask your partner(s) about their sexual history and STD status.
20. Be Honest About Symptoms: If you experience any symptoms, be honest with your partner and seek medical attention.
21. Educate Yourself About STDs: Learn about different STDs, their symptoms, and how they are transmitted.
22. Stay Informed About STD Updates: Keep up-to-date with the latest information and recommendations regarding STDs.
23. Debunk STD Myths: Be aware of and avoid believing common myths about STDs.
24. Understand Asymptomatic Infections: Realize that many STDs can be asymptomatic (show no symptoms).
25. Know Local Resources: Be aware of local STD testing and treatment resources.

Testing and Treatment

26. Regular STD Testing: Get tested for STDs regularly, especially if you have multiple partners.
27. Get Tested Before a New Partner: Consider getting tested before engaging in sexual activity with a new partner.
28. Follow Doctor's Recommendations: Follow your doctor's recommendations for testing and treatment.
29. Complete Treatment: If you test positive for an STD, complete the full course of treatment prescribed by your doctor.
30. Partner Notification: Inform your partner(s) if you test positive for an STD so they can get tested and treated.
31. Repeat Testing After Treatment: Get retested after completing treatment to ensure the infection is cleared.
32. Know Testing Options: Understand the different types of STD tests available.
33. Don't Self-Diagnose: Avoid self-diagnosing STDs; seek professional medical advice.
34. Seek Prompt Medical Attention: If you suspect you have an STD, seek medical attention promptly.
35. Understand Long-Term Effects: Know the potential long-term health consequences of untreated STDs.

Reducing Risk Behaviors

36. Abstinence: Abstain from sexual activity.
37. Monogamy: Maintain a mutually monogamous relationship with a tested, uninfected partner.
38. Limit Number of Partners: Reduce the number of sexual partners you have.
39. Avoid High-Risk Partners: Avoid engaging in sexual activity with individuals who have multiple partners or engage in high-risk behaviors.
40. Avoid Sexual Contact with Visible Sores: Avoid sexual contact if you or your partner have visible sores or blisters in the genital area.
41. Avoid Sharing Sex Toys: Do not share sex toys. If you do, clean them thoroughly between uses.
42. Be Sober During Sex: Avoid engaging in sexual activity while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
43. Address Underlying Issues: Seek help for any underlying issues that may contribute to risky sexual behavior, such as substance abuse or mental health problems.
44. Delay Sexual Activity: Delay the onset of sexual activity, especially for adolescents.
45. Avoid Unprotected Sex: Avoid unprotected sexual contact.

Hygiene and General Health

46. Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Avoid sharing personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, and towels.
47. Wash Hands Regularly: Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching your genitals.
48. Maintain Good Hygiene: Practice good personal hygiene.
49. Healthy Diet: Maintain a healthy diet to boost your immune system.
50. Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity to improve your overall health.
51. Adequate Sleep: Get enough sleep to support your immune system.
52. Manage Stress: Manage stress levels, as stress can weaken the immune system.
53. Avoid Douching: Avoid douching, as it can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina and increase the risk of infection.
54. Wear Breathable Underwear: Wear cotton or other breathable underwear to keep the genital area dry.
55. Change Underwear Daily: Change your underwear daily.

Specific STD Prevention

56. Herpes Management: If you have herpes, take antiviral medication to reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks and the risk of transmission.
57. HIV Prevention (PrEP): If you are at high risk for HIV, consider taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as prescribed by a doctor.
58. HIV Prevention (PEP): If you think you've been exposed to HIV, talk to your doctor about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible.
59. Chlamydia Screening: Women under 25 should be screened annually for chlamydia.
60. Gonorrhea Screening: Women under 25 should be screened annually for gonorrhea.
61. Syphilis Screening: Get screened for syphilis, especially if you are at high risk.
62. Trichomoniasis Awareness: Be aware of the symptoms of trichomoniasis and seek treatment if you experience them.
63. Hepatitis C Prevention: Avoid sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia to prevent Hepatitis C.
64. Pubic Lice Treatment: Seek treatment for pubic lice (crabs) promptly.
65. Scabies Treatment: Seek treatment for scabies promptly.

Lifestyle & Environment

66. Avoid Injecting Drug Use: Avoid injecting drugs, or if you do, use sterile needles and syringes.
67. Safe Tattooing and Piercing Practices: Ensure that any tattoos or piercings are performed using sterile equipment and proper hygiene practices.
68. Travel Awareness: Be aware of the risk of STDs in different geographical locations.
69. Safer Sex Education: Support comprehensive safer sex education programs in schools and communities.
70. Advocate for STD Prevention: Advocate for policies and programs that promote STD prevention.
71. Reduce Stigma: Work to reduce the stigma associated with STDs, which can prevent people from seeking testing and treatment.
72. Support Research: Support research into new and improved methods of STD prevention and treatment.
73. Access to Healthcare: Ensure access to affordable and quality healthcare services, including STD testing and treatment.
74. Community Involvement: Get involved in community efforts to promote sexual health.
75. Promote Open Dialogue: Promote open dialogue about sexual health in your family and community.

Further Risk Reduction Strategies

76. Visual Inspection: Regularly visually inspect your genitals and your partner's for any unusual sores, bumps, or rashes.
77. Be Aware of Early Symptoms: Be aware of the early symptoms of common STDs.
78. Seek Expert Advice: Consult with a healthcare professional or sexual health expert for personalized advice.
79. Read Informative Materials: Read books, articles, and websites from trusted sources about sexual health.
80. Attend Workshops: Attend workshops or seminars on sexual health and STD prevention.
81. Online Resources: Utilize online resources, such as websites and apps, to learn more about STDs and safer sex practices.
82. Peer Education: Participate in peer education programs to share information and promote safer sex practices among your friends and community.
83. Role Modeling: Practice and promote safer sex behaviors to be a positive role model for others.
84. Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware of cultural norms and values related to sexual health.
85. Address Social Determinants: Address the social determinants of health, such as poverty and lack of education, which can increase the risk of STDs.

Ongoing Prevention

86. Continuous Learning: Stay informed about new developments in STD prevention and treatment.
87. Reassess Risk Factors: Regularly reassess your risk factors for STDs.
88. Adapt Strategies: Adapt your prevention strategies as needed based on your individual circumstances and risk factors.
89. Maintain Open Communication: Maintain open communication with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.
90. Be Proactive: Be proactive in protecting your sexual health and the health of your partner(s).
91. Avoid Judgment: Avoid judging others based on their sexual history or STD status.
92. Promote Empathy: Promote empathy and understanding towards individuals affected by STDs.
93. Focus on Prevention: Focus on prevention rather than shame or blame.
94. Support Services: Support organizations that provide STD testing, treatment, and education services.
95. Advocate for Funding: Advocate for increased funding for STD prevention and research.

Beyond the Obvious

96. Consider Partner's Circumstances: If a partner is unwilling or unable to disclose their sexual history, carefully consider the risks before engaging in sexual activity.
97. Recognize Coercion: Be aware of and avoid situations involving sexual coercion or pressure.
98. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels wrong or unsafe, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation.
99. Long-Term Relationship Strategies: Even in long-term relationships, periodic STD testing can provide reassurance.
100. Self-Respect and Empowerment: Ultimately, the most important way to prevent STDs is to value your own health and well-being and make informed, responsible choices.