Single men and women may find the concept of a one-night stands appealing. The problem, of course, is that casual sex comes with a number of potential risks - only one of which is the possibility that you might contract an STD.

You can't tell who has an STD by just looking at them, assessing their hygiene, or knowing who their friends are. If you are concerned about your sexual health, the only way to make a smart choice about whether someone is an appropriate partner for your casual encounter is to engage them in a decidedly non-casual conversation, which could be really awkward.

The truth is that all sex has risks. These risks can be reduced, but in the context of casual sex, they cannot be avoided. In the end, every person has to make a vital decision about what risks they choose to expose themselves to. Only when you acknowledge the potential dangers of one-night stands - including pregnancy, STDs and assault - can you start to intelligently determine whether, and how, you want to cope with them. As a single man, or woman, the rewards of casual sex may be worth the risk, but ignorance isn't the road to sexual bliss.

Drinking alcohol is very much part of our entertainment culture. For many people, enjoying a meal or a night out with friends isn’t really possible without a few drinks. There’s nothing wrong with this as long as we don’t drink to the point at which we are damaging our health or making risky decisions about our sex lives. After a few glasses of wine, people who normally behave sensibly are by no means immune to ending up in bed with the wrong person or with no way of having safe sex. It's easy to forget about safer sex or even general personal safetyif your judgement is seriously impaired. Some people just need to cut down a little, but for others it's a complex issue that relates to their self-esteem.

STD figures are reportedly on the rise, increasing the risks of contracting an STD from casual sex. Statistics also show that most one-night stands are a result of excessive drinking, unique situations and holiday romances. This means most couples have little or no information about their partner. So, after an evening where you might not even remember the most basic information about who you just slept with, it's unlikely you will remember details of their sexual health, if they even told you. You may need an STD test.

Many people use condoms as an effective contraceptive and an instrument of safe sex. Condoms are one of the most effective contraceptives at preventing the spread of STDs, as they create a barrier to the bodily fluids that most STDs are transmitted through. However, some STDs are spread through the contact of pubic hair, while others can be spread by unprotected oral sex. Overall, in cases where you won't be talking to the person tomorrow for whatever reason, it's best to have an STD test to ensure your sexual health.