Are you safe from all sexually transmitted diseases if the male wears a condom? Or do you still need to know his past sexual history before having intercourse?

--J.

No to the first question and yes to the second. Condoms make sex *safer* -- they do not make it absolutely safe. They cannot prevent infection 100 percent of the time; sometimes they break, and some infections -- such as genital warts -- can be transmitted if the condom does not completely cover a lesion.

The only surefire way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases is to avoid sex. The second best way to decrease the chances of contracting an STD is to use not just a condom, but your brain as well.

Using your brain is the most important step. It is imperative to start with a conversation about past sexual experiences -- yours and his. Here's a list of questions to ask a potential partner before you get naked:

• Have you ever had sex before? If yes, how many partners have you had before? In the past year? Right now?
  
• Have you ever had sex without using a condom?
  
• Have you ever had sex with another man? with a prostitute?
  
• Have you ever had any STD? Have any of your other partners ever had an STD?
  
• Have you ever shot up drugs? or had sex with someone who did?
  
• Have you ever had a discharge from your penis? any sores or warts on your penis? a burning feeling when you urinate?
  
• Have you ever had a blood transfusion?
  
• Do you have a tattoo? If so, are you sure brand-new sterile needles were used?
  
• Will you agree to always use a condom if we have sex?
  

If a potential partner has had eight partners in the past year, didn't always use a condom and has had an STD before, then there is a good chance he may pass an STD on to you. It would be best to avoid sex with such a person altogether. And even if your potential partner has all the right answers, still use a condom! It is also a good idea for both people to have HIV and other STD screening done before having sex for the first time.

Once "pre-screening" of a potential partner is accomplished through discussion of past history and STD testing, a condom is the best protection. By being selective in choosing your sexual partners, and by always using a condom, you can greatly reduce your risk of contracting an STD.