It’s great that you’re using contraception and that you’ve been tested for STDs. That shows that you’re taking responsibility for your sexual health. Still, we recommend that you keep on using condoms for two reasons.

First, the Pill is good at preventing pregnancy, as long as you take it every single day, at about the same time. If you forget to take the Pill, the chances of getting pregnant increase, so condoms give you extra protection. And even if you take the Pill consistently, there’s still a slight chance you can get pregnant. So, doubling up with condoms really reduces your chances of pregnancy.

Secondly, the Pill does not protect you from STDs. If you weren’t tested for the most common STDs out there, you or your partner could have one and pass it along to the other. In addition, lots of young people end up with an STD after a partner cheats on them. No one ever wants to think that this could happen in his or her relationship, but unfortunately, it does happen. Often if people cheat once or twice, they won’t admit it and risk losing the relationship. And it only takes one contact with an infected person to get an STD and then pass it to an unsuspecting partner.

Our advice is to keep using condoms. It’s the safest route for both of you.

Got a question about STDs? Visit the American Social Health Association (ASHA) Web site or call ASHA’s Sexually Transmitted Infection Resource Center Hotline at 1-919-361-8488, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.