Have a conversation with your partner before any sexual activity! Spending time and getting to know someone before engaging in sexual activity is one of the best ways you can protect yourself from contracting an STI. When you know you can trust someone, you will feel more comfortable asking someone the necessary questions, such as, “When was the last time you were tested?” “Do you have any STIs” and “If yes, what can we do to protect ourselves?” Use condoms! Condoms are the only form of contraception that reduces the risk of contracting STIs. You can still contract an STI when using a condom, but they reduce the risk! If you are choosing to be sexually active, you should get tested either once after every new sexual partner or once a year if you are in a committed relationship. You can either go to your primary care doctor or to a clinic to get tested. Make sure to wait at least two weeks after the sexual encounter before you get tested so that you have accurate results.