A method for reducing the risk of transmission and infection by a sexually transmitted disease through sexual activity between two or more parties, said method comprising applying an effective amount of a polystyrene sulfonate to an area or areas of the body to be engaged in the sexual activity of at least one of the parties prior to the sexual activity, then engaging in the sexual activity, and then applying an additional amount of the polystyrene sulfonate to the area or areas which was engaged in the sexual activity, wherein polystyrene sulfonate contains less than about 50 ppm dichloroethane, and wherein the sexually transmitted disease is caused by gonococci, papilloma virus, or chlamydia, and wherein the parties to the sexual activity are selected from the group consisting of (1) groupings including only men, (2) groupings including only women, (3) heterosexual groupings wherein all females are diagnosed as being sterile or being post-menopausal or have been rendered sterile by a medical procedure, (4) heterosexual groupings wherein all males are diagnosed as being sterile or have been rendered sterile by a medical procedure, (5) heterosexual groupings wherein medically prescribed birth control methods are employed, and (6) heterosexual groupings wherein the sexual activity is anal sex.