How do you prevent an STD?

We are doing our best to reduce the number of STDs – such as chlamydia and gonorrhea – in the Netherlands. That is the main reason that SoaStudentArts was founded: by making accessible and anonymous SOA testing possible, we try to detect infections faster and reduce their spread. But what is of course at least as important to achieve that goal, is simply the prevention of STDs!

Why prevent STDs?

Een SOA kan vervelende gevolgen met zich mee kan brengen. Je kunt er klachten door krijgen (zoals jeuk, ontstekingen of blaasjes), maar in sommige gevallen kun je er ook onvruchtbaar door worden of zelfs kanker krijgen (dit komt beiden gelukkig heel weinig voor). En daarnaast zijn sommige SOA’s niet te genezen en moet je de rest van je leven medicijnen slikken, zoals bij hiv het geval is. Het is dus van belang om veilige seks te hebben, zodat jij en je bedpartner minder kans hebben om een SOA op te lopen of te verspreiden.

Condoms

STDs are transmitted through contact with mucous membranes, blood, semen and vaginal fluid. The most well-known and in principle the best way to prevent an STD is to use a condom during sex. Did you know that only 40% of young people in the Netherlands use a condom during a one-night stand? So, as far as we're concerned, there's room for improvement. We recommend that you always carry condoms with you and keep them close at home so that you are well prepared. You can also use condoms for blowjobs, eating pussy and anal licking (and with the latter two options, you can cut the condom open and place it between your mouth and the vagina or anus).

It is also possible to have safe sex without using a condom, if you and a regular sex partner (ie both without changing sex partners) do not have an STD. So leave you both testing for STDs before having sex without a condom. In that case, anal sex without a condom is also safe. Of course, keep in mind contraception if you decide to have sex without protection.

HPV, Hepatitis B and HIV

HPV and Hepatitis B zijn SOA’s waarvoor je je (in sommige gevallen gratis) kunt laten inenten. Voor hepatitis B is dit gratis mogelijk bij de GGD voor onder andere sekswerkers en mannen die seks hebben met mannen. Hoewel de kans klein is, kun je erg ziek worden van hepatitis B. Daarom raden we een vaccinatie aan als je hiervoor in aanmerking komt. HPV is een virus en meestal niet gevaarlijk, maar van sommige soorten kun je kanker krijgen. Jongeren van 9 t/m 26 jaar kunnen zich er gratis voor laten inenten bij de GGD.

HIV is an STD that is treatable but not curable. You can prevent HIV by taking the HIV inhibitors PrEP and PEP, among other things. If you have HIV, it is important that you are treated with HIV inhibitors to prevent you from getting AIDS and so that the amount of virus in your blood is so low that it is no longer measurable and you cannot pass it on. to others.

With our tests we currently focus on the most common STDs: chlamydia and gonorrhea. For more information about HPV, hepatitis B, HIV and the prevention of STDs, we recommend that you: this page of Soa Aids Nederland, or contact your GP.