You can reduce your risk of becoming infected with chlamydia or another sexually transmitted disease (STD) and spreading the disease.

Practice safe sex

Preventing an STD is easier than treating an infection once it occurs.

• Talk with your partner about STDs before beginning a sexual relationship. Find out whether he or she is at risk for an STD. Remember that it is possible to be infected with an STD and not know it. HIV, for example, may not be found in the blood for up to 6 months after initial infection.
• Be careful.
  • Avoid sexual contact if you have symptoms of an STD or are being treated for an STD.
  • Avoid sexual contact with anyone who has symptoms of an STD or who may have been exposed to an STD.
• Do not have more than one sex partner at a time. Your risk for an STD increases if you have several sex partners.

For more information, see the topic Safe Sex.

Male condom use

Condoms reduce the risk of becoming infected with an STD. A condom must be put on before beginning any sexual contact. Use condoms with a new partner until you are certain he or she does not have an STD.

Female condom use

Even if you are using another birth control method, you may want to use condoms to reduce your risk of getting an STD. Female condoms are available for women whose partners do not have or will not use a male condom.