Penis / vagina intercourse with a condom - low risk

Oral sex, unprotected on the giver - moderate risk
   Fellatio (oral sex on a man) or Cunnilingus (oral sex on a woman)

Possible STDs:

Gonorrhea
Hepatitis B
Herpes
HIV
HPV (genital warts)
Syphilis

Analingus, unprotected (oral stimulation of the anal area)- low risk

Possible STDs:

Gonorrhea
Herpes
Hepatitis A

Possible STDs:

Bacterial Vaginosis
Herpes
HPV (genital warts)
Pubic Lice
ScabiesYeast Infections

          If you are a female who only has sex with other females, you are still at risk for STDs. Females who are intimate with other females have a higher risk of Bacterial Vaginosis and Hepatitis C, and they pass yeast infections very easily. Protect yourself!

          In order to protect yourself, you need to get familiar with protection tools and how to use them.

Protection Tools (click on each to see lots of pictures and get info)

          Latex condoms - used for penis/anal intercourse, penis/vagina                                      intercourse, fellatio

          Latex-safe water based lubricant - intercourse, fellatio, cunnilingus,                                                               manual sex

          Latex gloves - manual sex

          Latex dental dams - cunnilingus, analingus

          If you don't think you're ready to worry about STDs and protection tools, that's fine. There are other ways to be intimate! Some very low risk activities include:

Kissing
Masturbation, alone or mutual with your partner (touching yourself only while
                     your partner touches him/herself only as well)
Massage
Showering together

          Think you might already have an STD or just want to see what you're missing? Check out the list below to see some common STDs and their symptoms.

Bacterial Vaginosis
          BV is passed often between women having sex with other women. It is possible to have BV without ever having had sex. Symptoms: creamy, grayish-white vaginal discharge; may have a fishy odor. Over 1/2 of all cases have no symptoms. If BV is left untreated, it can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. (hyperlink to PID info.)

Chlamydia
          Most common bacterial STD. 50% of all sexually active women will have had chlamydia by age 30. Symptoms may include pain while urinating, vaginal bleeding, painful intercourse, or vaginal discharge; often has no symptoms. Can cause bladder infections and infertility.

Gonorrhea
          75% of all cases occur in people between the ages of 15 and 29. Symptoms include painful urination, unusual discharge, bloody discharge, or abdominal pain. Can also have gonorrhea of the throat. Can cause infertility and even death, in rare cases.

Hepatitis B
          Symptoms include fever, fatigue, joint pain, and vomiting. Has no known cures. You can get a Hepatitis B vaccine from your doctor which will protect you from becoming infected.

Herpes Simplex
          One in five sexually active people are infected with herpes. There are two types of herpes. Type I infects the mouth and causes cold sores; this kind can be passed through kissing. Type II infects the genitals. Someone with type I in the mouth who gives oral sex to someone can infect them with type I in the genitals. Herpes can occur as rashes or blisters on the vulva, vagina or cervix, penis, buttocks or anus which are itchy, sore, and painful. It can be treated but not cured.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
          One-third of all sexually active teenagers may have HPV. HPV occurs as small warts on the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, or inside the urethra or throat. The warts can be burned off (electrocauterized) or frozen off (cryotherapy), but, as HPV is not curable, the warts may return. HPV can lead to cervical cancer which may lead to infertility or sometimes even death. Condoms only offer some protection as they cover only the penis, not the entire genital region. It is best to abstain from sexual activity with someone who has HPV.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
          Of all infertile women, 15% are infertile due to PID. Symptoms include painful periods which last longer than normal, vaginal discharge, spotting between periods, abdominal pain, lower back pain, fever, and/or vomiting. Can be treated by antibiotics, bed rest, and celibacy. Surgery may be required. PID is often the result of a infection of gonorrhea or chlamydia. The best way to protect against this disease is to use condoms.

Pubic Lice (Crabs)
          Symptoms include itching in the pubic area, or you actually may notice the lice moving. Can be cured by prescribed lotions and shampoos designed to kill pubic lice. You must see your doctor to get these shampoos; pubic lice is different from the standard hair lice so regular shampoos may not work the same.

Trichomoniasis
          One of the most common STD's. Trich can be passed through sex, but also through wet towels, bathing suits or washcloths. Almost 1/2 of the people infected have no symptoms. Symptoms may include vaginal discharge and genital itching. Treatable with antibiotics.

Yeast Infections
          Although a yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted disease, it can be passed during sex, especially sex between two women. Yeast is commonly present in the vagina, but when yeast over-grows, it causes an infection. Yeast may over-grow because of antibiotics or birth control pills, douching, or too much sugar or dairy in the diet. Symptoms may be itching, redness in the vaginal area, thick cottage cheese like discharge or burning with sex. To treat yeast, avoid using douching, wear 100% cotton underwear, dry the vaginal area well after showers or swims, and eat yogurt with the live culture acidophilus. This culture will help balance the natural yeast in your vagina. You could also buy over-the-counter yeast infection medication or creams.

Links