Dear 28if,

No. Used correctly, the pill is up to 99.7 percent effective against pregnancy, but it offers NO protection against sexually transmitted infections. Only female and latex condoms can reduce the risk of infection.

To reduce the risk of infection, keep your partner's body fluids out of your vagina, anus, and mouth. The body fluids to be most careful about are blood, ejaculate, pre-ejaculate, vaginal fluids, and the discharge from sores caused by sexually transmitted infections.

Some sexually transmitted infections, like herpes and HPV (genital warts), can be spread through skin-to-skin contact — even if there are no symptoms. If you have a genital sore, don't have sexual intercourse — even with a condom. Wait until the sore heals. The virus can spread from sores not covered by the condom. It can also spread in sweat or vaginal fluids to places the condom doesn't cover. In addition, having sex — even with a condom — will irritate the sores, and they will take longer to heal.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.