General STD prevention

[thejuicer]

I am just now re-entering the dating world after a long term relationship. To be blunt, my goal is to hook up with women. Of course, I want to do this safely.  My questions are:

1. Assuming intercourse will take place, what is the most effective way to prevent STDs?  And, how effective is that exactly?  Everything I read says something to the effect of: Having sex with a condom helps, but still puts you at a significant risk.  I really have no idea what that means.

Give me the straight and narrow.  Doc - is using a condom with potentially different partners safe or not, and what more can I do to maximize safety? (Please don't answer abstinence, having your partner checked, or having only one partner, as I already know those things are effective, just not my situation)

2. Is the answer different for oral sex?  That is, if a girl performs on a man, or a man on a girl, are risks increased or decreased, or not changed at all?  What can a man do to prevent STD transfers when he is receiving or providing oral sex, and how effective is that really?  For example: does wearing a condom reduce STD transmission in a significant way, or its effect minimal?  

Thanks Doc!
The straight scoop would be great - when you google this stuff, all you read is.  "You will die if you have sex with anyone but your wife of 10 years, and even that is a risk." That doesn't help anyone.

[kdaily]

also, it is recommended that if you have more then one sexual partner you should be tested annually.

[kdaily]

sorry forgot to add the link:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/condoms.pdf

[kdaily]

well, this isn't the expert/doctors forum but I'll tell you what I know.

Wearing a condoms does reduce your chances of transmition greatly, male latex condoms are great at preventing stds that are transmitted through genital secretions. what you have to keep in mind it that HPV and HSV are transmitted through skin to skin contact and shedding.

What does this mean, yes you may be wearing a condom but your skin around your penis may still come into contact with anothers skin, so with that being said there is still a chance for other areas to be infected besides your penis.

Condoms can also break. I have attached a link for latex condoms so you can gain some more information about condom use.... good luck and remember condoms do help in preventing stds but are not 100% protective.