Do birth control methods other than condoms reduce the risks of STIs?

  • Birth Control
  • Condoms
  • STIs

No. Only condoms reduce the risk of both pregnancy and STIs.

Birth control pills, patches, injections (Depo-Provera), intrauterine devices (IUDs), diaphragms, and any birth control methods other than condoms do not provide protection against STIs and HIV. You should use an external or internal condom in addition to any other method you use to prevent pregnancy.

More FAQs

Are trans people at any increased risk for HIV or STIs?

The behaviors that put people at risk for HIV and STIs are the same for everyone, including trans people.

Can you get HIV or an STI by just being naked with another person and rubbing bodies together?

You cannot get HIV by rubbing your bodies together. You also cannot get HIV from toilet seats, kissing, or holding hands. However, by rubbing your bodies together you can get some STIs like crabs, scabies, and herpes.

Can I get HIV or an STI from oral sex?

People can get STIs by giving and receiving oral sex. Although there is a low rate of HIV transmission through oral sex, other STIs like gonorrhea and syphilis can be transmitted this way. If you perform a lot of oral sex (penis in your mouth), you may want to ask your doctor to do a throat swab for gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Can I get tested for HIV and STIs in Rhode Island without a parent or guardian’s permission?

Yes. Rhode Island has laws that allow adolescents to get tested for HIV and STIs without permission from a parent or guardian. Your parents will not be notified that you have been tested or the results of the test by your doctor. However, if you are getting tested and use health insurance to pay for it that is under your parent’s name, the insurance company may send a notice to...

If I have HIV or an STI, do I have to tell my partner(s)?

While there is no current law in Rhode Island that says that you have to tell your partner(s) if you have an STI or HIV, not telling your partner(s) that they have been exposed  could cause immediate or future health problems for them and any other sex partners they may have. If your partner is pregnant, it could also cause harm to the unborn fetus. You could also get re-infected...

What should a person do if they recently tested positive for HIV?

When a person has a “reactive” result from a rapid (same day) HIV test, that person should get a blood test to confirm the result. If the confirmatory test is determined to be positive, that person should seek medical care from a doctor who specializes in the treatment of HIV.

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