Los Angeles, Dec 17 (IANS): Singer Kerry Katona made her boyfriend Ryan Mahoney take a sexually transmitted infection (STI) test while the two were dating.

Kerry, who has five children from relationships with three ex-husbands, says that she felt the step was essential for her because didn't want to invite health woes.

So, she insisted Ryan went through a full sexual health screening before she said yes to the idea of lovemaking without the use of condoms, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

In an interview to New! magazine, Kerry aded: "I marched Ryan down there when we were first dating. Once I knew it was getting serious and we wanted to ditch condoms for a different type of birth control, I felt it was important to make sure we were both OK. It's essential to stay on top of your sexual health.

"Ryan's younger than me, he's gorgeous and I'm pretty sure he's had a lot more lovers than me, so it was a no-brainer."

Kerry's revelation comes in the wake of singer Mel B declaring not long ago that it is important to discuss sexual health with one's future partner.