10 STD Myths You Should Stop Believing
There are a lot of myths about STDs floating around in society, but which ones actually have some truth to them? In this article, we take a look at 10 common STD myths and provide you with the truth.
10 STD Myths Debunked
You’ve probably heard a lot of rumours about STDs over the years; here we take a look at those myths and separate fact from fiction.
Myth: You Can’t Get STDs From Oral Sex
Fact: Vaginal and anal sex are far more likely to result in contracting an STD, but you can still catch STDs from oral sex. The most common STDs that can be transmitted by oral sex include Chlamydia, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and Gonorrhea.
Minimise your risk of contracting an STD via oral sex by using appropriate protection such as condoms and dental dams.
Myth: Condoms Are 100% Effective Against STD Transmission
Fact: Condoms will reduce the risk of contracting an STD, however they aren’t 100% effective. If an infected person has STDs such as Genital Warts, Herpes, or HPV, skin-on-skin contact can transmit the infection.
In these cases, if the condom does not fully cover, or protect against the infected area, there is a risk of transmission.
Myth: You Don’t Need to Worry About STDs Unless You Have Sex With Lot of People
Fact: You should worry about contracting STDs regardless of how many people you sleep with. You can catch an STD the first time you have sex, even if you don’t have penetrative sex.
Ensure that each time you engage in sexual activity you use appropriate protection and, where possible, both partners have been tested for STDs.
Myth: If You Don’t Have Sex, You Can’t Get an STD
Fact: You can catch an STD without having sex. You don’t need to have penetrative vaginal sex to catch an STD; anal sex, oral sex, and simply just kissing or touching an infected part of your partner’s body could result in you contracting an STD.
You can also contract STDs without engaging in sexual activity at all. The sharing of needles or other objects contaminated by blood increases your risk of contracting a range of infections, STDs included.
Myth: You Would Know if You Had an STD, Even Without Being Tested
Fact: There are some STDs, such as Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, and Herpes, that often don’t present with symptoms and can go undetected. In some cases, only mild symptoms will present, and those can easily be mistaken for other health concerns such as Thrush, BV, UTIs, and even just Psoriasis or Eczema.
Because of this, it is incredibly important to have regular sexual health checks, particularly before entering into a new sexual partnership, or after a one night stand.
Myth: An STD Will Go Away By Itself
Fact: Whilst some STDs, such as HPV, can go away by themselves over time, most will require treatment to ensure that the disease does not progress and cause more severe health concerns.
Further, there are some sexually transmitted diseases that are not curable and, if contacted, you would have to live with them throughout your life. Treatment would make symptoms manageable, but the disease will not go away.
If you think that you have an STD, it’s important to get checked as soon as the incubation period has passed so that you can access effective treatment, and don’t risk passing on the infection.
Myth: The ‘Pull Out’ Method Prevents STDs and Pregnancy
Fact: We hope you already know that the “pull out” method does not prevent pregnancy, but it also does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. STDs are passed on through bodily fluids and skin-on-skin contact. Any form of sexual activity (including just kissing or touching) risks transmitting STDs.
If you have an STD it is important to refrain from engaging in any activity that could transmit the disease to another person until you have completed a course of treatment set out by your doctor or sexual health clinic and have been given the all clear.
Private STD Testing with Your Sexual Health
Regular STD testing is incredibly important to ensure that you do not unknowingly transmit STDs onto a sexual partner.
Your Sexual Health has a number of private sexual health clinics across the UK with a wide range of STDs tests.
We also offer instant STD tests and at-home STD testing kits to make the process more comfortable and convenient for you.If you’re not sure about what test you need, or require further assistance, get in touch with our friendly team today.