Even though your urine pregnancy test was negative today, there is still a possibility that you may be pregnant. Sometimes the urine doesn’t have enough pregnancy hormones to be detected in the beginning of your pregnancy. Usually, an early morning urine specimen has a larger concentration of those hormones.

You should avoid alcohol, drugs, and smoking as if you could be pregnant. Also, avoid taking over-the-counter medications except for Tylenol as needed.

Abstinence, making the decision to refrain from sexual activity until marriage, is the only truly effective and practical method to prevent STIs, unplanned pregnancies, and potential emotional difficulties.

If you have not been tested for sexually transmitted infections(STIs), make this a priority. It is recommended that all sexually active women be tested every year, and each time you change a sexual partner.

Consider the following information regarding STIs:

• Human papillomavirus, trichomoniasis and chlamydia are the most common STIs.
• 1 in 5 Americans age 12 and over has genital herpes; most do not know it.
• There are 20 million new STI diagnoses every year.

Some STIs are asymptomatic, meaning you don’t have any symptoms, and may not know you have an STI. That’s why testing is so important.

Some STIs are treatable with certain medications, while others do not have a treatment or cure.