What increases your risk for problems from an STD?

Do you have any of the following high-risk behaviors? If you do, you may be more likely to become infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Your risk for an STD increases if you:

Have unprotected intercourse without male or female condom use, except in a long-term monogamous relationship.

Have unprotected mouth-to-genital contact, except in a long-term monogamous relationship.

Have early sexual activity, before age 18.

Have multiple sex partners.

Have a high-risk partner (one who has multiple sex partners).

Have anal sex (or have a partner who does).

Have sex with a partner who uses IV drugs.

Use birth control pills (oral contraceptives). This is because:
Women who use birth control pills and their partners are less likely to use condoms.
Women who use birth control pills tend to have more partners.

Many conditions, lifestyles, medications, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your health professional.

Conditions
History of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
History of infertility
History of ectopic pregnancy

Lifestyles
Use an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). Use of an IUD does not increase your risk of developing an STD but does increase your risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if you get an STD.

Alcohol abuse or withdrawal

Drug abuse or withdrawal

Smoking or other tobacco use

A childhood history of family problems increases the risk for STDs, such as:

Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse
Domestic violence in household
Substance abuse in household
Mental illness in household
Family member in prison

Medications
Blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin, heparin, and aspirin
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
Medications to prevent organ transplant rejection
Medications used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
Radiation therapy
Diseases
Cancer

Depression
Diabetes
Hemophilia
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
Kidney disease
Lupus
Malnutrition or an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa