Los Angeles. City of Angels; home of Hollywood; home of the beautiful people; home of Universal Studios; home of sexually transmitted diseases... Screeeeech! Whoa, back up there sunshine! The city is well-known for many things but when it comes to the fact that research shows that it is one of the most prolific states in the USA for STD testing, Los Angeles tourism bigwigs would probably rather NOT shout that from the Hollywood Hills.

However, given that LA natives are notoriously health-conscious, perhaps these statistics do not mean that the city is rife with STDs but that, in fact, it is simply a city of responsible adults who understand the importance of STD testing. Los Angeles is a vibrant and exciting city in which to live, but its reputation of being image-obsessed and full of celebrities and wannabees can make living there an intimidating prospect. How can you keep up with the latest fashions, get your face seen at the right parties, land yourself a part in the next blockbuster AND ensure you take care of your sexual health? Here are a few tips that just may help...

The First Date in LA

Ok, new designer outfit - check; quick jab of freshen-me-up botox – check; three-day fast for that extra flat stomach – check; all-over spray tan – check. Looks are all-important in LA, so a first date can be a minefield and it’s important that you are looking your absolute best. After all, if you don’t measure up in the image department chances are you’ll never hear from that potential soul mate again. But once you think you’ve got the external aspects of your personal grooming all sorted, don’t think it ends there! Before you embark on any new relationship, however fleeting it may turn out to be, don’t be caught short with awkward questions about whether or not you’re ‘clean’ in relation to STD testing. Los Angeles is a scary city to date in, but if you get the basics right first, you’re in with a chance!

Safe Sex in the City of Angels

If you’re happy to live the single life and have some fun, Los Angeles is definitely the city for you. There’s always some kind of party going on and your social life can go off the Richter scale if you hang out in the right places. All that sun, sequins and sexual innuendo can make for some interesting opportunities for encounters of the casual kind, so you need to ensure that you practice safe sex and have regular STD testing. Los Angeles can bite, so make sure you take every precaution you can!

Growing up Glamorous

If you’re born into the lifestyle of the rich and famous in LA, by the time you’ve reached your late teens, you’ve probably already had comprehensive STD testing. Los Angeles teens have to grow up a lot quicker than their country cousins and, by necessity, need to be a lot more sexually aware. STDs are an unfortunate fact of life in LA and, although this means that safe sex issues are more heavily promoted, the youth of the City of Angels need to be more aware than most of the perils of raging hormones and wandering hands.