10 Common STD Myths & Misconceptions
1. You Can’t Get An STD From Oral, Or Anal Sex?
By definition, oral sex is the act of having sexual intimacy using the mouth to pleasure either the male penis, or female vagina. This common std myth stems from the fact a woman cannot get pregnant through oral sex. STDs are caused by bacteria and virus that thrive in warm moist places of the body such as the mouth, or genital area. Those who have oral sex are at risk of contracting herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV. There is no way to eliminate this risk, but practicing safe sex can minimize it.
2. If You Have An STD, You Will See And Know It?
Unfortunately, this is a one of the most common std myths. Oftentimes, STDs infections reveal few outward signs. It is actually possible for certain individuals to be carriers of a disease. This means they have the infection, but show no signs of the infection. These people can still infect their sexual partners. STD symptoms can often be passed off as another ailment. For this reason, regular screening for sexually transmitted diseases is wise.
3. Only Guys And Gals With Multiple Partners Get STDs.
Any sexually active person can contract an STD. Individuals in a monogamous relationship are the least likely to contract an STD, but they are not immune. Naturally, the sexual safety of monogamy is dependent upon both parties being faithful. However, unsafe sex prior to a relationship becoming monogamous can also be a problem. The best way to combat this is to be honest about your partners and when you last slept with another person. Then, your doctor can help you determine when it is safe to get tested together and move forward with your monogamous relationship. That being said, it takes just one unsafe sexual choice in your lifetime to result in you contracting an STD.
4. I Can Only Get Herpes If My Partner Is Having An Outbreak That Is Visible.
Genital herpes is the most common sexually transmitted infection that affects both sexes. A person that is infected with genital herpes is contagious even when there are no visible sores present. In fact, some people who have herpes are unaware they are infected with the disease because they have no symptoms. However, a person with no herpes symptoms can still pass the virus to their sexual partners. While not full proof, condoms can reduce the risk of infection.
5. If I Have Sex In A Pool Or Hot Tub, The Chlorine Will Kill Anything And Everything.
Chlorine is not a condom, it cannot stop bacteria, viruses, or sperm. Additionally, latex condoms are ineffective when used for protection in a pool, or hot tub because the chemicals can break them down.
6. You Can’t Get An STD From Skin To Skin Contact.
STDs are transmitted through semen, blood and other bodily fluids and secretions. However, sexually transmitted diseases like herpes, genital warts and syphilis can be transmitted through skin to skin contact. Additionally, if any skin is broken and infected fluid is introduced in the area of the broken skin more opportunity for infection will be present.
7. I Can’t Get An STD If I Only Sleep With Virgins.
Sleeping with a virgin does not give you 100 percent protection from getting a sexual disease. First and foremost, it can be difficult to say for sure whether or not a person is being honest about their sexual history. However, if you assume that the person is being honest, you have to know what their definition of virginity is. One person may consider themselves a virgin because they had no sexual contact, another might feel that way because they have never had intercourse. Just because a person has never had sexual intercourse doesn’t mean they haven’t participated in other risky sexual behaviors such as oral, or anal sex.
8. You Can get An STD From A Toilet Seat.
Most people avoid using public toilets at all costs, but if you have to use one the worry over germs can be overwhelming. Theoretically, you can contract an STD from a toilet seat, but no such case has ever been documented. Bathrooms are ideal breeding grounds for things like chlamydia, gonorrhea and hepatitis A. Theoretically, to contract a sexual disease from a toilet seat there would have to be a cut on your buttock, or the germs would have to be transferred from the toilet seat to your genitals.
9. My Partner Got Tested And Is Negative, So It Is Safe.
Getting tested is the only way to know whether or not you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease. However, some STDs take longer than others to show up. This means that even with routine testing for sexual diseases you can never be 100 percent certain that someone is disease free. That being said, if you are in a monogamous relationship and wait a few months to get tested before you have sex the accuracy of the test results will be greater.
10. If I Have STDs I Can Be Cured With Antibiotics.
Not all STDs can be cured with an antibiotic. STDs that are caused by a bacterial infection can usually be cured with an antibiotic. However, there are many other STDs that can only be treated, and can never be cured. This would include herpes, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and HPV.