Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Question
Published: January 21, 2004
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I was wondering if daily cleaning of the private areas is crucial in NOT developing STDs, outside of transmission from other people. Thank You
Signed: Cleaning Privates Daily To Avoid STDs?
Dear Cleaning Privates Daily To Avoid STDs?,
It's a good idea to gently clean your genitals gently with soap and water whenever you take a bath or a shower. However, this will not have any affect on your chances of contracting a sexually transmitted infection. STIs are contracted through sexual contact with another person. If you are sexually active, you can avoid contracting one by using a condom. Keep in mind that some STIs can be transmitted between the mouth and the genitals, so it's advised that you use a condom during oral sex too. For oral sex on a woman, you can use a dental dam -- a square of latex or polyurethane that acts as a barrier between the vulva and the mouth. You can find dental dams in some sex stores and health centers, or you can cut an ordinary condom down the side to make one.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents don’t, yet only 1 in 4 teens report having these conversations. 
