In the U.S., it is estimated that 20% of the population has an STI. This number can go up or down based on a variety of factors, such as where you live or what you do. States like South Dakota, Louisiana, and Minnesota rank the highest with over 1,100 cases per 100,000 people. Moreover, your risks are at the highest if you live in the South and in the vicinity of a large metropolitan area.
So how can you mitigate these risks and protect yourself? Naturally, abstinence is the only foolproof way to have a 0% risk of contracting an STI. The traditional method of protection, using internal or external condoms, is the next best means of prevention, sitting at a whopping 98% prevention of risk. The HPV vaccine also has a 98% reduction of risk in contracting STIs. However, STI testing before a relationship has a whopping 99.8% risk reduction.
The best practice to protect yourself against STIs is to get tested regularly. Taking advantage of STI testing sites such as the ones found on eNational testing is the best way to not only make sure you’re healthy but to prevent the risk of contracting it in the future.
