This is why testing can be important even when someone feels completely healthy.
Using condoms correctly and consistently can reduce the risk of many STIs, although protection is not complete for infections that can spread through uncovered skin. Other preventive measures include vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, regular testing based on individual risk, and honest conversations with partners.
If you think you may have been exposed to an STI, a healthcare professional can advise you about the appropriate tests and when they should be taken.
- An Unplanned Pregnancy
For people who can become pregnant, vaginal sex can result in pregnancy if sperm reaches an egg.
Pregnancy can occur even when intercourse happens only once. The likelihood depends on factors such as timing in the menstrual cycle, fertility, and whether contraception was used.
Relying on assumptions about a person’s fertile days can be unreliable because ovulation does not always occur on the same day every month.
