How do you talk to your partner about sexually transmitted infections prior to having sexual with them?

Openly and honestly: What a great question. There is not easy way to address the subject but it is so important. The decision to become sexually involved with someone involves trust. If you can not trust someone to have this conversation then it may not be time to be intimate. Protect yourself and your partner by being responsible and having an open dialogue about std testing.

Openly and honestly: If you are *thinking* about having sex with them, have that conversation, preferably NOT at the last moment. My usual rule is "If you can't talk about sex with someone, you shouldn't be having it with them!" And definitely use condoms- Remember that a negative test is only valid at that time (if that), so being "negative" isn't always accurate.