Why Sex Without A Condom Is A Bad Idea

If you think protecting yourself is just about preventing unwanted pregnancy, then you don't really understand why sex without a condom is a bad idea. Female birth control protects against pregnancy, but it doesn't protect either of you from STDs. Here are the reasons why sex without a condom is a bad call. 

1. HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV attacks your immune system, weakening it until your body can no longer fight off infection, and you become vulnerable to a host of secondary infections. You're then considered to have Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. You can live for years with HIV and not even know it, but there's no cure for this disease and it's always deadly, so putting yourself at risk for contracting it is a very bad idea if you have sex without a condom.
2. Genital herpes is one of the most common STDs in the United States. It's also caused by a virus (the herpes simplex virus, types 1 and 2) and has no cure. Genital herpes isn't deadly, but its symptoms are painful and will recur throughout the rest of your life. Genital herpes is another good reason why sex without a condom is a bad idea.
3. Syphilis was once a formidable contender in the world of disease; modern medicine has conquered it with penicillin. Nevertheless, syphilis is a serious illness that, without proper treatment, can eventually lead to dementia and death. Syphilis shares symptoms with a number of other diseases, and can be hard to diagnose. The disease also has dormant periods, so don't have sex without a condom even if your partner doesn't show any strange symptoms.
4. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are common bacterial infections, that, while treatable, can cause sterility and long term reproduction problems in women. These diseases can be asymptomatic, so be on the safe side and don't have sex without a condom.

Centers for Disease Control