Skip left navigation

Home > A-Z Health Topics > Men's Health > Sexual health for men > Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• More information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

A sexually transmitted infection, or STI, is an infection passed from person to person through sexual contact. You can get and pass STIs through vaginal, anal, or oral sex or during genital touching. You or your partner can have an STI and not know it because you may have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they might include a discharge from your penis, sores on your penis, pain and swelling in your testicles, and burning in your urethra.

STI rates are very high in the United States, where there are an estimated 19 million new cases each year. HIV is an STI that is especially dangerous. Syphilis, another STI, has been spreading more in recent years, and if untreated, can harm your brain, heart, and other parts of your body.

Certain STIs are more common among men who have sex with men. If you have sex with men, talk to your doctor about steps you can take to protect your health, including getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

All men should take steps to lower their risk of STIs. You can:

• Avoid having sex. Abstain from having vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
• Be faithful. Having sex with one uninfected partner who has had sex only with you will keep you safe from STIs.
• Use condoms correctly and every time you have sex. Use male latex condoms for vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Use polyurethane if you or your partner is allergic to latex. "Natural" or lambskin condoms don't protect against STIs. Male condoms are highly protective when used correctly. Female condoms also may offer protection, but more research is necessary. For oral sex, dental dams also might offer some protection.
• Know that certain birth control methods don't protect against STIs. Birth control methods including the pill, shots, implants, IUDs, diaphragms, and spermicides will not protect you from STIs. If your partner uses one of these methods, be sure to also use a latex condom or dental dam correctly every time you have sex.
• Talk with your sex partner(s) about STIs and using condoms before having sex. Setting the ground rules about testing and condom use will avoid future misunderstandings. It's up to you to make sure you are protected.
• Get tested. If either you or your partner has now or has had other sexual partners in the past, get tested for STIs before having sex. If you have an STI, let your sexual partner(s) know so you and your partner(s) can get treatment. Otherwise, the STI can get passed to others or back to you. You can learn more about specific STIs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Return to top

More information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Explore other publications and websites

• Genital Herpes — CDC Fact Sheet — This fact sheet provides information about what genital herpes is, how common it is, and what you should know about the its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
  http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm
• The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic (Copyright © Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation) — This fact sheet provides statistical data on the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, including its prevalence throughout the world, how it is being treated, and what the United States is doing to respond to it.
  http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/3030-14.pdf
• Gonorrhea — This fact sheet briefly describes gonorrhea with information on prevention, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, what can happen if it goes untreated, and complications for pregnant women and newborns.
  http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/gonorrhea/pages/default.aspx
• HIV/AIDS Among Gay and Bisexual Men — This publication discusses the increase of HIV among men who have sex with men. It also discusses the risks of unprotected sex and ways you can prevent being exposed to HIV/AIDS.
  http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/docs/FastFacts-MSM-FINAL508COMP.pdf
• HPV and Men — CDC Fact Sheet — This fact sheet answers common questions about the human papillomavirus in men. Topics include the health problems it can cause, who is at high risk, and ways to lower your chances of getting HPV.
  http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-and-men.htm
• Human Papillomavirus and Genital Warts — This fact sheet briefly describes the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, possible complications, and prevention of human papillomavirus and genital warts.
  http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/genitalwarts/pages/default.aspx
• Living With HIV/AIDS — This booklet is for people who are HIV-positive. It can help you and your loved ones understand HIV and its effects on health and everyday life.
  http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/brochure/livingwithhiv.htm
• Male Yeast Infection: Can I Get It From My Girlfriend? (Copyright © Mayo Foundation) — Did you know that men can get yeast infections? This brief fact sheet explains the signs, symptoms, related conditions, and treatments of yeast infections in men.
  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/male-yeast-infection/HO00172/UPDATEAPP=false&FLUSHCACHE=0
• Questions and Answers: Chlamydia (Copyright © American Social Health Association) — This fact sheet provides information about the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia, including what it is, how common it is, and who gets it.
  http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_chlamydia.cfm
• Syphilis — CDC Fact Sheet — This fact sheet provides information about syphilis and its transmission, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
  http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm
• Syphilis and MSM (Men Who Have Sex With Men) — CDC Fact Sheet — This publication discusses general information about syphilis and why men who have sex with men should be concerned about it.
  http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis/STDFact-MSM-Syphilis.htm
• Telling Others About Your HIV (Copyright © Project Inform) — It can be really hard to tell others that you are living with HIV. This publication can help you reveal your status to those you trust the most.
  http://www.projectinform.org/publications/disclose/
• The Condom (Copyright © Planned Parenthood) — This website discusses condoms, including information on their effectiveness, pros and cons, side effects, and how to get and use them. It also offers suggestions for what you can say to your partner if he/she is pressuring you to not use a condom.
  http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/condom-10187.htm
• Trichomoniasis — CDC Fact Sheet — This publication provides information on trichomoniasis, including causes, signs and symptoms, complications, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
  http://www.cdc.gov/std/Trichomonas/STDFact-Trichomoniasis.htm
• Understanding Resistance & Cross-Resistance (Copyright © AIDS Community Research Initiative of America) — This detailed overview addresses common questions about HIV drug resistance and the tests that measure resistance.
  http://www.acria.org/files/Resistance.pdf
• Understanding Your Lab Results (Copyright © AIDS Community Research Initiative of America — This online publication provides a complete and easy-to-understand explanation of different lab tests doctors use to monitor the health of patients living with HIV and AIDS.
  http://www.acria.org/files/lab-results.pdf

Connect with other organizations

• AIDS.gov
  http://www.aids.gov/
• AIDSinfo
  http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/
• American Social Health Association
  http://www.ashastd.org/
• National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, OPHS, HHS
  http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/nchstp.html
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH
  http://www.niaid.nih.gov/Pages/default.aspx
• National Prevention Information Network, CDC
  http://www.cdcnpin.org

Content last updated January 10, 2011.

Resources last updated January 10, 2011.

Email Print

Return to top