Risk Factors

STDs can affect anyone, but occur in higher numbers in women, infants of infected mothers, teens, young adults and minority groups. Half of all new STDs reported each year are in people who are ages 15 to 24.

Some behavioral risk factors for STDs include:

• Practicing unsafe sex by not using a latex condom with every sexual encounter.
• Having sex with more than one person.
• Having sex with someone who had several sexual partners.
• Having sex with someone who has multiple sexual partners.
• Not knowing your partner's sexual history.
• Excessive alcohol and drug use can make you less likely to practice safe sex or talk to partners about their sexual history.

Other risks:

• People with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of contracting certain sexually transmitted infections.
• Women and girls under age 25 are more likely to get STDS because their bodies are often smaller and their vaginal area is more likely to tear during intercourse. Cervixes that aren't fully developed also make younger women more susceptible to Chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• Having one STD frequently makes you more vulnerable to another. Or if you've had on episode of PID, your risk of another episode is higher.
• Men who aren't circumcised have a greater risk for contracting some STDs, such as AIDS.

More on Sexually Transmitted Diseases

In the Encyclopedia:

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.