Testing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your partners from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — but what if you’re not testing regularly? Can you still reduce your risk? The answer is yes. While testing provides clarity and peace of mind, there are also many preventive steps you can take in the meantime.
Practicing safer sex, getting vaccinated, and having open conversations with partners can all help prevent transmission. These strategies are especially important for people who are between tests, in long-term monogamous relationships, or simply not ready to get screened yet.
What Does “Prevention Without Testing” Actually Mean?
In an ideal world, everyone would test regularly — especially with new partners or changing relationships. But the reality is that testing doesn’t always happen right away. Prevention without testing refers to actions you can take to reduce STI risk even when you haven’t recently been screened.
This isn’t a replacement for testing, but it’s a smart and proactive way to protect yourself while working toward a more complete approach to sexual health.
Key Prevention Strategies
Here are some of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of STI exposure — even if you’re not currently testing:
- Use condoms and dental dams consistently: These provide a physical barrier that greatly reduces risk for many infections, including HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
- Limit your number of partners: Having fewer partners, especially at the same time, lowers your risk of exposure.
- Practice mutual monogamy: If both you and your partner are STI-free and exclusive, your risk is very low — assuming neither has acquired a new infection since their last test.
- Avoid sex when symptoms are present: Sores, discharge, or irritation could indicate an active infection. Avoiding contact during these times helps protect you and others.
- Sanitize sex toys: Clean toys thoroughly between uses and use a new condom for each partner to prevent cross-contamination.
Get Vaccinated Where Possible
Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools in STI prevention. While they don’t cover all infections, they do offer strong protection against some of the most serious ones:
- HPV: The HPV vaccine protects against the strains most likely to cause cancer or genital warts. It’s most effective when given before sexual activity starts, but catch-up vaccination is available into your 40s.
- Hepatitis B: Part of the standard childhood immunization schedule, this vaccine offers long-lasting protection against a virus that can damage the liver.
- Hepatitis A: Recommended for certain at-risk groups and available as a combined A/B vaccine.
- Mpox (formerly monkeypox): While not always sexually transmitted, recent outbreaks have spread through intimate contact. Vaccines are available in high-risk areas.
If you’re unsure of your vaccination status, ask your provider about antibody testing or booster options. In many cases, a single appointment can get you up to date.
Talk to Your Partners
One of the most overlooked — but powerful — STI prevention tools is open communication. Talking honestly with partners about past testing, new exposures, and comfort levels helps everyone make informed decisions.
You don’t need to have every detail figured out. Even a simple conversation like “Have you been tested recently?” or “Let’s both get tested before going without protection” can go a long way toward protecting everyone involved.
When You’re Ready, Testing Completes the Picture
All the strategies above are important, and they absolutely help. But none of them can guarantee that you’re STI-free. Only testing can confirm that. Once you’re ready, consider scheduling a lab test or ordering an at-home kit for added clarity.
Many people use prevention strategies between tests or while waiting for results. Others build these practices into their routine and add testing as a final step. There’s no wrong time to take charge of your health — and prevention doesn’t have to wait for perfect timing.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can reduce your risk of STIs without testing — and many people already do. Safer sex habits, vaccines, and honest conversations are powerful tools for protection. But when you’re ready to complete the picture, testing gives you the clarity and confidence to move forward with peace of mind.
Explore your options on our Compare Tests page to find the right testing approach when you’re ready to take that next step.