So much wrong information about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) gets passed around that it's no surprise the diseases do too. Of course, the only way to be 100% sure you won't get an STD like herpes, chlamydia, or HIV, is not to have any type of sex (abstinence). But if you do decide to have sex, you'll need to stay informed and learn what's true — and what's not.
Here are 5 of the more common things that people get wrong about STDs.
Myth: Only "trashy" people get STDs.
Fact: STDs don't discriminate.
Rich people get STDs. Poor people get them. Athletes get them. Math geeks get them. CEOs and professors get them. Even someone having sex for the first time can get an STD. The only people who have no risk of getting an STD are people who haven't had sex or any kind of sexual contact.
What can you do? If you decide to have sex, always use a condom every time. Even if you're already on another kind of birth control, like the Pill, you should still use a condom. That's because condoms are the only type of birth control that reduces the risk of getting an STD.
Myth: If your partner has an STD, you'll see it.
Fact: There's often no sign that a person has an STD.
Even doctors often can't tell by looking if people have STDs. So they need to do tests, like bloodwork. People with STDs might not know they have them: STDs don't always cause symptoms. But it is possible to carry and spread the virus without ever having an outbreak. Untreated STDs can add up to serious health problems, like infertility (the inability to have a baby) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may land you in the hospital.
What can you do? Even if you both think you're clean, get checked out before having sex. Then use a condom every time, just to be sure. It can take a while for some STDs to show up on tests.
Myth: You can avoid STDs by having oral or anal sex.
The viruses or bacteria that cause STDs can enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth and anus, as well as the genitals. Some STDs, like herpes or genital warts, can spread just through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or sore.
What can you do? Use a condom or a dental dam every time you have oral or anal sex. If the taste of latex isn't your thing, there are flavored condoms made specifically for oral sex.
Myth: Once you've had an STD, there's no chance of getting it again.
Fact: You can get some STDs more than just once.
Some STDs are yours for life, like herpes and HIV. Others, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be treated, but you may get infected again if you have sexual contact with someone who has them.
What can you do? Protect yourself with condoms, of course! And if you're having sex, let your doctor know so you can get tested regularly. If you do get diagnosed with an STD, your partner should be treated at the same time you are. That way your partner will avoid future problems — and avoid reinfecting you.
Myth: If you get checked and you're STD free, your partner doesn't need to get checked as well.
Fact: Your partner could have an STD and not know it.
Who wants to make the effort to get tested, find out they're clean, and then end up catching an STD from a partner anyway?
What can you do? Get tested together. It may not be your most romantic date, but nothing says "I care" like trying to protect a boyfriend or girlfriend from illness.
STDs are more than just an embarrassment. They're a serious health problem. Left untreated, some STDs can cause permanent damage, such as infertility and even death.
There are tons of myths out there about sex and STDs — the ones above are just a few of them. Luckily, you only need to remember two essential truths:
- Use condoms.
- Get tested.
Reviewed by: Krishna Wood White, MD, MPH
Date reviewed: June 2009
