Can a Boy Get an STD from Having Sex with a Girl?
Some facts about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs):
- STDs can be spread through various forms of sexual contact, such as vaginal sex, oral sex, and anal sex.
- STDs can be spread through sexual contact between a female having sex with a male, a female having sex with a female, or a male having sex with a male when one of the two people engaging in a sexual act has an STD.
- People can have an STD but not know it because they do not yet have any symptoms. In situations like this they can unknowingly pass on STDs to sexual partners.
- Many birth control methods (such as the birth control pill, birth control patch, and birth control shot to name a few) do not protect against the transmission of STDs.
- Condoms can help against the transmission of STDs when used during vaginal, anal and oral sex.
For more information about STDs, check out the following links:
- Planned Parenthood: Preventing Pregnancy and STDs
- Young Men’s Health: Sexually Transmitted Infections
- TeensHealth: About Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Reaching out for help:
If you have any other questions or concerns related to your sexual health, FX recommends you speak to a trusted adult such as a parent/guardian, your school nurse or your family doctor. If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. A Planned Parenthood health center is a good option if you have concerns about cost or confidentiality issues. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.
FX also suggests that you check out the links in our Resource of the Month: Planned Parenthood Resources on Safer Sex so that you can learn about sexual readiness, how pregnancy happens, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, birth control, STDs and more. The more educated you are about these topics, the more likely you will make healthy decisions for yourself when it comes to your sexual health.
