Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Talking To Your Partner About Safer Sex 

Talking openly is very important when a couple decides to become sexually active. One in four Americans has a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that cannot be cured. Talking about safer sex can save your life.

Talks should happen long before you ever have sex. Pick a quiet time, when you and your partner are relaxed. Although bringing up this topic may make you nervous, there are many ways to start the talk. You can use television commercials, public service messages, or magazine articles about safer sex to start a conversation.

Your partner may be embarrassed; talking about sex can be hard for many people. Always be direct, and try not to make judgments. Explain that you want to protect each other, and that you care about your partner. Because many STDs don’t have symptoms, you or your partner may have an STD without knowing it. You can’t always tell by looking if one or both of you is already infected. Some couples choose to be tested for STDs and HIV before they ever have sex.

There are many ways to be close without having sex. Abstinence or not having sex is the only sure way to avoid a STD. If you and your partner do decide to have sex, using a condom every time will lower your chance of getting a STD.

For more information about talking to your partner about safer sex, and about STD testing, contact the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 257-3440.