Articles
Reliable, up-to-date information about sexual health and STD testing.
What STD tests should you get and how often? A complete guide by age
Getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) — also called sexually transmitted infections, or STIs — is one of the most important things you can do for your health. But with so many...
Does PrEP protect against STDs other than HIV?
If you've heard of PrEP, you probably know it as a powerful tool for preventing HIV. But a common question people have is: does PrEP protect against other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) too?...
How often should you get an HPV test or Pap smear?
If you have a cervix, routine screening is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health. HPV tests and Pap smears (also called Pap tests) are used to detect changes in...
What are the signs and symptoms of HPV — and can you have it without knowing?
Human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 13...
How effective are condoms at preventing different STDs?
Condoms are one of the most widely available and cost-effective tools for reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). But how well do they actually work — and does effectiveness vary...
What is congenital syphilis and why are cases rising in the U.S.?
Congenital syphilis occurs when a pregnant person transmits a syphilis infection to their baby during pregnancy or childbirth. The bacterium responsible, Treponema pallidum, can cross the placenta...
How often should you get tested for STIs if you're sexually active?
Getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is one of the most responsible things you can do for your sexual health — and for the health of your partners. Yet many people are unsure how