Tips on how to tell a partner you have an STD

Discussing sexual health with a new partner can be difficult at any stage of the relationship, especially if you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD). While this is a conversation that many people would like to avoid, it is imperative that STD-infected individuals inform their partners about their condition to reduce the spread of these diseases.

A recent article published by EmpowHER.com offered several tips on how STD-positive people can discuss sexual health with new partners.

First, the news provider recommended that this conversation should be had after a few dates, but before any sexual contact is made.

It may be best to keep it short and sweet, the news source said. The infected individual can simply say that they want to tell their intimate partner about their condition because they respect them and value their health. A brief explanation of one's specific disease should be incorporated into the discussion, the news organization noted.

Many people may not know that they have an STD, which is why it is important for new partners to seek testing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 19 million new cases of STDs reported each year in the U.S.