1. For not getting pregnant.
2. For controlling your future.
3. For not contracting or spreading STIs.
This is important info, whether you're in college or not. Some other important info:
Condoms can help minimize your risk of spreading and transmitting STIs, but they don't provide 100% protection — some infections are spread via skin-to-skin contact, for instance, which means that condoms aren't fully protective against them.
That said, while not all STIs are curable, they can all be treated and managed with appropriate medical care. The best thing you can do for yourself and your partners is to get tested, know your status, and get the treatment and care you need. And use condoms. They're not perfect, but they're definitely better than nothing.
Quick side note: What's the difference between STIs and STDs? Diseases have noticeable symptoms, while infections don't necessarily have any (YET). Find out more here. For the sake of inclusiveness, I'll be referring to any sexually transmittable infection as an STI throughout this article. If that's confusing to you, just imagine me saying "STD" instead.
4. For some motivation to get yourself tested.
5. For when you're confused about who can get pregnant.
Basically: if one person has a biological vagina and the other person has a biological penis, together they may be able to create life.
6. For knowing what kind of birth control doctors use.
7. For understanding the difference between IUD types.
8. For another reason to consider a copper IUD.
9. For what else you can do if the condom breaks.
10. For understanding the stakes on a personal level.
11. For understanding the stakes on a societal level.
12. For getting a sense of the bigger picture.
13. For some sobering facts about common STIs.
HPV is the most common STI in the United States. It's a virus, which means it's not curable — but for many people, HPV may go away on its own. It's important for women in their twenties to get annual pap smears to stay on top of their health, and monitor any HPV infections that might come up. For people under 26, there is an HPV vaccine. It protects against the most dangerous strains of the virus that can cause cervical cancer. Read more about HPV here, via the CDC.
Chlamydia is the second-most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, after HPV. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, which means it's curable with antibiotics. It's important to get tested and know your status, because chlamydia can often come with few or no symptoms, and can lead to infertility in women if left untreated. Read more about chlamydia here, via the CDC.
14. For recognizing common STI symptoms.
15. For another reminder to know your status.
HIV isn't curable, but it can be treated and maintained — you need to know your status, though. Protect yourself and your current and future partners: Get tested. More information here.
16. For EVEN MORE reasons to use contraception, get tested, and get the HPV vaccine if you can.
17. For knowing what to expect when you get tested.
18. For making the most of your annual trip to the gyno.
19. For putting on a condom the RIGHT way.
20. For a few more options when it comes to barrier protection.
21. For when you need an impromptu dental dam.
22. For where NOT to store your condoms.
23. For checking your cervical mucus to find out if you're ovulating.
24. For much of the information you need, all in one place.
