Maintaining a Healthy Sex Life: STD Awareness

The phrase “healthy sex life” has many different definitions for different people. You can’t look it up in the dictionary, but it’s true nonetheless. Though each person’s definition of how to have a healthy sex life varies, there are a few key points everyone should know. 

First and foremost, sex itself is healthy. Shame and secrecy surround sex, and Rapid STD Testing is here to combat that. Research shows that sexual activity improves heart health, boosts mood, and can provide pain reduction, among other health benefits. 

Now, just because the act of sex is healthy doesn’t make all sexual experiences healthy. To keep your sex life healthy, you’ll want to focus on communication, open-mindedness, and intimacy. Yes, this means you will have to talk about sex with your partner. We promise any initial awkwardness will be worth it. 

If you’ve been feeling dissatisfied with your sex life, it’s time to take control. 

Taking Control of Your Sex Life

Life is busy. You have work, a long to-do list of chores, and maybe even kids to take care of. Life has a way of getting in the way of a healthy sex life — but it doesn’t have to. 

The frequency of sex will vary by age, as your libido will naturally decrease naturally in your older years. You and your partner decide what is healthiest for you, and you can take steps to make healthy sex a priority in your life. 

Scheduling sex is one approach, and though it might sound odd at first, try it! You might thank us later. Keep an open mind about trying new things like sex toys, role play, erotica, and sensate focus techniques to increase sexual satisfaction.

How often should a couple have sex? Having sex every day may be right for you and your partner, and that’s healthy! Having sex less often is just as healthy and normal — it all depends on what you’re comfortable with.

But a healthy sex life isn’t just about how often you’re having sex. It’s about your own individual pleasure and needs. Take a step back and evaluate your current sex life. Ask yourself these questions: 

• Is sex pleasurable for both parties? 
• Do both partners orgasm regularly?
• Is there open communication between partners?
• Do you always respect each other’s boundaries?

Elements of a Healthy Sex Life

Consent and communication should be priorities in all sexual activity. All parties should be enthusiastic about this happening — if they aren’t, you stop. If they are, great! But the communication doesn’t end there. 

Address the questions above with your partner. Discuss sexual fantasies and boundaries often. 

Sometimes, needs don’t only involve sexual acts but also physical affection outside of sex. Some people prefer that connection builds before sex and then grows and strengthens during sex. Continuously communicate with your partner to share what you like and what you don’t, and to check in with their preferences.

It’s also vital to communicate about STDs and STIs. This isn’t a fun conversation, but it’s a necessary one. To avoid the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, you should have protected sex and get tested often. There’s no excuse not to — there’s even convenient same-day STD testing at Rapid STD Testing clinics nationwide.

Even the most careful people can contract STDs. Anyone can get an STD, regardless of gender, age, or sexual orientation. In fact, one in five people have an STD. It isn’t something to feel ashamed of, but you do need to share this information with any recent sexual partners. 

Safe Sex Practices

Sexually transmitted diseases or infections describe bacterial or viral infections spread through sexual contact. You can contract an STD through oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Though it’s rare, some can even spread through contact with bodily fluids, even without sexual contact. 

Some of the most common STDs include:

• Chlamydia 
• Gonorrhea  
• HIV 
• Genital herpes 
• Syphilis  
• Pubic lice 
• Genital warts 
• Hepatitis 
• Trichomoniasis 

While each STD has its own symptoms, some general symptoms that may indicate you’ve contracted an STD include: 

• Abnormal discharge from the vagina, penis, or rectum
• Ulcers on the rectum or genitals 
• Lower abdominal pain, specifically in women

Keep in mind that some people have STDs without experiencing symptoms at all. Not understanding this can lead to the STD spreading further. But don’t worry! You can follow safe sex practices to help prevent STDs.

Before sex, have an open and honest discussion with your partner. Share sexual histories, any current or past STDs, and any concerns. You might even consider getting tested using a rapid STD test. Getting the HPV and HBV vaccines is another preventative measure to take. 

During sex, protected sex is your best bet for preventing STDs. While you can still contract some infections like herpes and HPV when using a condom, it still significantly decreases your odds of contracting an STD from your partner. 

You should use condoms and dental dams for all sex, including oral and anal sex. Using gloves for manual stimulation is another safe practice. Lubrication can help prevent a condom from breaking, and polyurethane condoms are less likely to break than latex condoms. 

Your doctor can treat some STDs with antibiotics. Other STDs don’t go away, even with treatment. Some reminders if you’re living with an STD:

• Visit your doctor regularly for check-ups
• Remain open and honest with sexual partners
• If you’re prescribed medication, like PrEP for HIV, take it consistently
• Remember that you’re not alone, and STDs aren’t something to feel ashamed of 

Having Unprotected Sex

In a perfect world, we’d always be prepared and safe when having sex. However, we know that isn’t the case. Sometimes you’re forgetful, or sexual chemistry and sexual responses override the logical parts of your brain, and you don’t use protection.

Don’t panic.

If you’re deliberately having unprotected sex, have that conversation with your partner beforehand. Make sure both parties understand each other’s sexual histories and the risk involved. For some couples, pregnancy is a risk of unprotected sex — keep this in mind, too. 

If your unprotected sex was more of a spontaneous act, there are still steps you can take afterward to prevent STDs.

• Urinate after sex to avoid a UTI
• Get tested immediately
• Visit a healthcare provider
• Explore emergency contraceptives in necessary

When to See a Doctor

You should never feel embarrassed to see a doctor about sexual problems — it’s what they’re there for! You can talk to your doctor about any concerns you have before or after sex. Differences in libido, vaginal pain, erectile dysfunction, and vaginal atrophy are all common reasons to consult a doctor.

Signs that you should see a doctor about your sex life include:

• Sores
• Unexpected bleeding
• Painful urination
• Unexplained rash
• Abnormal discharge
• Sex becomes extremely, or increasingly, painful
• Itching or burning around the genitals
• Frequent UTIs

It is especially important to contact your doctor if you suspect you’ve contracted an STD. To ensure the sexual health of you and your partner, you should get tested right away. A 10-panel STD test will prevent the most common STDs from going undiscovered. You can get tested at your local doctor’s office or a free health clinic. 

Sexual health isn’t solely physical. Your mental health matters, too. Whether you’ve experienced a traumatic sexual event, or you’re simply experiencing anxiety around the topic, your doctor can help. They may offer coping skills or recommend you see a therapist.

The idea of talking to your doctor about sex might seem scary. Here at Rapid STD Testing, we’ve prepared some questions below so you can approach your appointment confidently.

Questions to Ask

A few questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

Before Sex

• What are the risks of having sex?
• If I decide to have sex, do I need to be on birth control?
• How can I practice safe sex?
• How will I know if I’m ready to have sex?
• Are there any vaccines I should get before I have sex?

After Sex

• How do I know if I have a healthy sex life?
• What is causing painful sex?
• Are there any websites, pamphlets, or books you recommend for more advice?
• If I get treated for an STD, is there a risk of catching it again?
• How long will it take to get my test results?
• Will my test results be shared with my guardians or family physician without my permission?

Take Action Before Getting Action

Communication, awareness, and disease prevention are at the heart of a healthy sex life. There are plenty of health benefits from having sex regularly, but in order to reap those benefits, you need to have it safely. 

If you suspect that you’ve contracted an STD or you have any further questions, visit or call a local Rapid STD Testing center near you.