Among sexually transmitted diseases or STDs the main ones include AIDS and HIV. Other minor ones include Genital Herpes and Genital Warts, etc. Doctors recommend that contraception be used each time one engages in any kind of sexual activity. In fact recent research shows that the incidence of cervical cancer in women is greatly reduced incases where the partner uses a condom each time before engaging in a sexual act. Doctors recommend that even in pregnant women it is completely safe to stay sexually active incase of a normal pregnancy for the entire duration of the pregnancy provided two precautions are taken. The first being that only certain positions are permitted which should not put pressure on the womb and secondly, the partner should always use a condom to prevent any kind of external infection being passed onto the unborn child.

Other than providing protection from AIDS and HIV, the use of condoms also prevents others minor viral infections like genital herpes. Genital herpes is a common viral infection. One in every five people who are sexually active acquires genital herpes in their lifetime. Unfortunately it's a viral infection that has no cure. The infection last for about a week to ten days and then subsides. The virus stays dominant and settles as the base of the individual's spine. Genital herpes has no cure but with recurrent infections the individual builds up immunity and the intensity of the infection reduces over a period of time. Genital herpes is highly infectious and spreads easily with proximity. AIDS/HIV is likewise viral infections that spread. A simple handshake does not cause it, hugging or kissing someone does not cause it. Unprotected sex, blood transfusion, using an infected needle, drug users that inject themselves are at a very high risk of using an infected needle and thereby getting infected, infection can spread from a mother to her child during child birth, are some of the main reasons for the spread of infection.

The bottom line is to 'use a condom each time', that is the only way to protect oneself and 'protection is better than cure', trust me on this one.