I think I might have a sexually transmitted disease (STD). How do I find out for sure, and how do I tell my partner?

If you had vaginal, oral or anal sex and didn’t use a new latex, polyisoprene, nitrile or polyurethane condom or dental dam with each act, you could have been exposed to an STD. There’s one way of knowing for sure whether you have an STD: get tested. Check out this page to find a clinic near you. And find out how to talk to your partner.

If you do end up testing positive for an STD, know that you are not alone. It can be helpful to get more information about it so you can know the facts before you talk to anyone else about it. Your doctor, another health care provider or the person that tested you can often be a good person to talk to about any questions you have. Sometimes people need time to get used to the news themselves before they feel comfortable talking about it with another person.