All strategies
Avoidance

Avoid Unprotected Sex

Avoiding unprotected sex is essential to prevent STIs and unintended pregnancies.

Engaging in unprotected sex significantly increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies across various demographics, including adolescents, young adults, and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Research shows that the lack of condom use is closely linked with higher rates of HIV transmission and other STIs. Addressing these risks requires targeted educational interventions to improve compliance with safe sex practices. Economic pressures, substance use, and inadequate access to sexual health education further compound these risks, particularly among vulnerable populations like female sex workers. Providing comprehensive sexual health education and access to contraceptives are critical strategies to counter these issues and safeguard reproductive health.

Potential benefits

Figures are the highest improvement reported in an individual cited study — best-case, not typical, results.

Reproductiveup to 15%

Reduced Risk of STIs

Reproductiveup to 83.5%

Reduced Risk of Unintended Pregnancies

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Sources

25 peer-reviewed references.

  1. [1]doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2014.979885
  2. [2]doi.org/10.1590/1809-4503201400050010
  3. [3]doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-910437/v1
  4. [4]doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v29i3.7866
  5. [5]doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-422
  6. [6]doi.org/10.1186/s12914-018-0147-5
  7. [7]doi.org/10.1186/1742-6405-9-14
  8. [8]doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202151
  9. [9]doi.org/10.1017/s002193201300045x
  10. [10]doi.org/10.1097/qad.0b013e32833e78d4
  11. [11]doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2010.525616
  12. [12]doi.org/10.1177/0145721710365171
  13. [13]doi.org/10.1016/s0027-9684(15)30772-0
  14. [14]doi.org/10.1097/qai.0b013e318211b3f2
  15. [15]doi.org/10.1111/josh.13078
  16. [16]doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6396-y
  17. [17]doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-222061/v1
  18. [18]doi.org/10.1177/0017896910386525
  19. [19]doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-14-194
  20. [20]doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czz100
  21. [21]doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2024.19.1.0466
  22. [22]doi.org/10.1089/apc.2012.0468
  23. [23]doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132337
  24. [24]doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-3495
  25. [25]doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3199-7

Related strategies

Behavior

Practice Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises

Supplement

Vitamin B Complex in Reproductive Health

Protocol

Chronic Stress Management for Sexual Health

This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health regimen.