WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Health's Top Stories
Get a weekly look at the most popular stories on Health.com.
Risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
content provided by
Healthwise
Risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) include:
- Having unprotected sex. Women who do not use condoms have a higher risk of getting an STD.
- Being sexually active at an early age. Sexual activity before age 18 may increase the risk of getting an STD, because teen girls may have more sex partners or they may be less likely to use condoms to reduce their risk. Girls younger than 18 get STDs 2 to 3 times more often than those older than 18. The cells of the transformation zone of the cervix are more susceptible to infection in teen girls.
- Having more than one sex partner.
- Having a high-risk sex partner (one who has other sex partners).
- Participating in prostitution.
- Using birth control pills without using condoms.
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease |
| Last Updated | February 5, 2007 |
Last Updated:
February 5, 2007- Author:
- Jan Nissl, RN, BS
- Medical Review:
- Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
