With so many sexually transmitted diseases out there, it can be scary to even consider engaging in sexual activity. However, there are steps that can be taken to prevent certain diseases from being spread. Vaccination is one way to help prevent contracting human papillomavirus (HPV) as well as hepatitis. HPV is an infection that can affect the vagina, vulva, cervix, scrotum, anus, and penis. It can also lead to cervical cancer and cause genital warts. The vaccination for HPV is called Gardasil, and is given over a series of three injections. It helps to protect against types 16 and 18 of HPV, which are the most common strains and cause 70% of cervical cancer. It also protects against types 6 and 11, which cause 90% of genital warts. The vaccine has been tested and proven to be safe; the side effects are generally mild and can include swelling and bruising at the injection site, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and low fever. Planned Parenthood clinics offer the vaccine, and recommend it for females beginning at age 11. It can also be given to men, although its effectiveness for males is not widely known.

A vaccine can also be administered to protect against hepatitis B, which is given over three or four injections. Hepatitis B is a disease that affects the liver; short-term effects of the illness are fatigue, muscle and joint pain, gastrointestinal distress, and jaundice, while long term, the illness can cause cirrhosis of the liver as well as liver cancer, both of which can lead to death. It is passed through blood or other body fluids from an infected person, so it can be contracted through unprotected sexual encounters. Vaccination is an important step in limiting the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and Planned Parenthood clinics offer these vaccinations to help protect individuals from being infected.