Keeping on top of your sexual health should be part of your health care routine every year, just like blood pressure checks. If any problems or symptoms develop in between visits — or you think you might be at risk — you can go to your provider more often. See the resources below to learn more about the services that are recommended for women and men:

For women, click here: http://www.ncshguide.org/services/women
For men, click here: http://www.ncshguide.org/services/men

Am I at risk of STIs, including HIV? You are at risk if you’ve had unprotected sex (vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom), have multiple partners, have an STI (including HIV), share injection drug equipment, or exchange sex for drugs or money. You are also at risk if your partner engages in any of these behaviors, or if you don’t know their health history.

Services are recommended for men and women based on age and sexual behavior. Your health care provider can also help you decide which ones you should get.

Check out a chart below to learn more about what’s best for you. Also, you might be at higher risk and need screening more often. The charts can be accessed on your mobile phone, or print them out to bring to your next health care visit.  

For women, click here: https://www.ncshguide.org/services/women/recommended-services  
For men, click here: https://www.ncshguide.org/services/men/recommended-services 

Did you know the HPV vaccine, which is safe and effective, can help prevent genital warts, cervical cancer, and some other male and female cancers (vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, rectal, and throat)? Hepatitis vaccines, which can prevent liver disease and damage, are also recommended. Are your vaccines current? (Check out the charts in the previous tip.)

Depending on whether you’re male or female, your age, and your sexual history, you might also need to be screened for other STIs. For example,

• All sexually active women ages 24 and younger should be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea each year. Chlamydia is a leading cause of infertility. It can damage your ability to get pregnant. And, women aged 25 and older who have had unprotected sex (sex without a condom) or other risk factors should also be tested. A series of STI tests is also a part of routine care for pregnant women.
• If you are a man who has sex with men, you should be screened at least annually for HIV and other STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. If you have unprotected sex or other risk factors, you should be screened every three to six months.
• If you are a man who has sex with women, you should be screened for HIV at least once. And, if you have unprotected sex or other risk factors, you might need to be tested for HIV more often, and screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Check with your provider.

Viral STIs, such as herpes and HIV, are lifelong infections, but they can be effectively managed with medications.

• If you have herpes, medications can reduce the number and severity of outbreaks, and lower the risk of giving herpes to your partner.
• Medications are also available to help prevent HIV infection.
  • If you have HIV, taking your antiretroviral medications every day can reduce the risk of giving HIV to your partner by up to 96%.
  • If your partner has HIV, but you don't, you can take a medication called PrEP that will reduce your risk of getting HIV by 92% or more.
  • If you think you have been exposed to HIV, you can take a medicine call PEP. See a doctor right away if you've shared needles or had unprotected sex with someone who you think has HIV. You need to start taking PEP within 72 hours of exposure.
• You can still date and have a sex life after an STI diagnosis, but you should take extra steps to protect you and your partner. Be sure to tell your partner if you currently have an STI BEFORE you get physical, so they can make an informed choice. If you do decide to get sexual, you can discuss how to reduce risk, which could include taking medication, using condoms, and/or avoiding sex during outbreaks if you have herpes. Specific guidelines depend on the type of STI you have. (See Action Step 3 for advice on talking about STIs with partners and on dating with an STI).

Many safe, effective, and easy–to-use birth control methods are available. Before you have sex, explore the wide range of options, talk with your provider, and find a method that’s right for you. See the Resource List at the end.

If you have private insurance or Medicaid, all FDA-approved birth control methods, except for male condoms, are now available for free, including the pill, intrauterine device (IUD), and implant. And, if you have a prescription, you can also get female condoms at no cost. However, if you don’t have insurance, you can often obtain birth control for free or at low cost at family planning clinics, Planned Parenthood clinics, or community health centers.

More women are now using IUDs and implants since they are over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. Once they are put in place by your health care provider, you don’t need to do anything. And, if you do want to get pregnant, your provider can easily remove either method.

Keep in mind that only condoms — both male and female condoms — can protect you from BOTH STIs and unplanned pregnancy. So, for dual protection, some people use condoms, along with another effective birth control method. (See Action Step 2 for more tips on birth control methods, condoms, and safer sex.)

Specialists, such as obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYN) focus on women’s reproductive health, while urologists focus on men’s reproductive health. Other professionals, such as pharmacists, mental health professionals, and health educators can also provide services and advice. For example, in some states, pharmacists can prescribe birth control. And mental health professionals, such as sex counselors or therapists, can help when sexual problems arise.

Find a provider who respects you, listens to you, and provides the services you need. For example, a good provider will:

• Have a friendly and welcoming staff, answer your questions clearly and respectfully, and explain what they’re doing and why.
• NOT assume to know your sexual behaviors or sexual orientation without asking, will not be judgmental, and will not disrespect you in any way.

Click here to learn more about how to find a good provider.

But, if you talk honestly with your provider about your body and concerns, you should get better care and advice. Your provider will probably ask you some routine questions, which they ask all of their patients.

But, you should also bring your own questions, and be sure to get the answers. For example, you might want to ask:

• What tests are you giving me? What should I be tested for?
• How can I protect myself from STIs and HIV?
• What are the most effective birth control methods?
• Do I need any vaccines?
• My sex drive is lower than normal. What’s the deal?

For examples of other questions you might ask, click here.