Are you worried about STDs?

[Wuggy]

Well, no. I'm not actively having sex at the moment.

Even if I were, I'm not too worried. I have condoms on me most of the time, just in case. Not only that but I was on a drug trial for a vaccine that defends against STDs.

Besides, most every STD is treatable. HIV/AIDS isn't a death sentence anymore when properly treated.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

If you are sexually active, yes you should be concerned about STD's. After interning at an STD clinic I can tell you there is alot of misinformation going around out there.

1) " I have never known anyone with an STD". This is a false sense of security. Many people are not even aware they have an STD. Some show no symptoms. Some symptoms do not appear until much later. You can transmit a disease unknowingly. I can;t tell you the number of times someone came in and found out they had a disease and then completely freaked out when they realized that everyone they had slept with had to be contacted.

2) Many people try to hide the fact they have one. They are more concerend about their reputation than they are for others safety and will lie and not list everyone they selpt with, or not bother informing those people.

3) Some do not even remember who they slept with due to bad memory, alcohol, drug usage.

4) Condoms are not as effective as we would like them to be. Things happen.

5) False negatives on tests. Happens more than we like to admit.

6) You can get disease from Oral sex as well.

7) The best way to prevent contracting an STD is to have you and your partner agree to be tested, and receive the results before having sex. Yes, you can get a false negative, and some diseases are harder to detect than others, but it is still the best defense we have. Have a " sex agreement" with your partner, I could care less what kind of agreement, just agree that neither of you are going to have sex with another without informing you ahead of time, or if they do, they agree to tell you before sleeping with you.

I know that sounds like it takes the romance out of it, but in this day, it is better to be safe than sorry. Look at it this way, if you wait that long before you have sex, both of you will have time to figure out if this is going to be something you regret, or someone worth having sex with in the first place.

 

[Kevlar Eater]

To some extent, I'm not worried about getting an STD, primarily because I don't have a social life and never leave my apartment except for work or groceries. Also, I've never been in a position to even get close to having sex with anyone.

Still, STD's don't necessarily have to be sexually transmitted per se. Heck, I could just as easily cut my shoulder from walking by a rusty nail sticking out from a wall and potentially get syphilis. I could be bitten by a petting zoo animal and potentially get full blown AIDS on top of rabies. So in an essence, yes, I'm worried about acquiring STD's via unconventional means, like the aforementioned things I mentioned.

 

[Colour Scientist]

Are STDs as prevalent/easy to contract as I've been led to believe? Is the risk high enough that you personally avoid sexual encounters? Do you employ methods to prevent getting STDs?

Nope.
Nope.
Currently I'm in a committed, long-term relationship, I was his first, so there's no real need for protection against STDs at the moment (birth-control is employed though). Previously I've used condoms though.

You should always be safe but if accidents or mistakes occur you're not going to automatically contract every STD known to man and get a girl pregnant. A friend of mine is more liberal than I am sexually (not a bad thing, having sex within relationships is just when I feel most comfortable), however, she can be, let's say, negligible when it comes to condoms. She's never had issues with pregnancy nor has she conrtacted any diseases but she really is playing Russian Roulette.

So, it's not as bad as you've been led to believe but better to be safe than sorry. It's definitely not reason enough to not enjoy sex.

 

[EeveeElectro]

Well for one, I'm in a long term relationship and both of us are clean. I made sure we were checked for everything before I went on birth control and stopped using condoms.

If I broke up with him and started sleeping around, I'd use my brain and tell the guy to use a condom. If he refused, no sex. I wouldn't sleep around though because firstly, I'm far too hideous for that many guys to want to have sex with me and secondly, I'm not like that.

If you're an idiot who thinks, "Shag ALL the things!" with no protection then yes, you'll probably catch something or get pregnant.

Still, STD's don't necessarily have to be sexually transmitted per se. Heck, I could just as easily cut my shoulder from walking by a rusty nail sticking out from a wall and potentially get syphilis. I could be bitten by a petting zoo animal and potentially get full blown AIDS on top of rabies. So in an essence, yes, I'm worried about acquiring STD's via unconventional means, like the aforementioned things I mentioned.

Oh shi- I forgot about those ways. You could go to a dodgy tattooist who doesn't clean his equipment properly and the person before you had some kind of disease. That sorta stuff worries me, when I had my ears pierced they didn't clean the needle or something and my ears kept getting infected.

Also, Y U MAKE ME PARANOID?! I managed to cut my thigh on a nail yesterday I put anti-septic cream on it straight away when it stopped bleeding... GAH IT'S GONNA GO BLUE AND FALL OFF.

 

[Queen Michael]

My e-xgirlfriend and I had a lot of premarital sex. Never hurt me a bit.

 

[The Pinray]

I'm currently in a steady relationship. We're both clean. So no, I have nothing to worry about. But if you plan on taking on multiple partners then please oh please wear a rubber. You do not know where that pink has been. Always ALWAYS assume the worst. Protect yourself.

When it comes to me personally I usually always have a condom on me. My girlfriend is on the pill.

I used to sleep around a bit late in high school and starting college. But it came to a screeching halt when one of my friends (and you-know-what buddy) turned up HIV positive. I got tested and was clean, luckily. So after that I cooled off with the sex. Decided to become a "one girl guy." I do not regret it. Sex becomes so empty when you don't have someone you care for on the other end.

But I digress.

STDs can be very common depending on the kinds of people you roll with (i.e. sexual deviants). But you seem to be a decent guy, more than likely with decent friends. So just don't sleep around. And if you do, keep some condoms on you.

Basically just be careful. That's all I can think of saying at the moment.

 

[x EvilErmine x]

No...but I'd like to be....that would mean i was getting me some.....and I'm not, which sucks...or rather doesn't XD

 

[MASTACHIEFPWN]

It's simple. Be smart.

I understand how all of this almost propaganda makes it seem like everyone has them, but putting those numbers up to the worlds population, it would show few really do.

Now, I understand being cautious, and you should be,

Just don't bang people with a mysterious past.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

Are STDs as prevalent/easy to contract as I've been led to believe? Is the risk high enough that you personally avoid sexual encounters? Do you employ methods to prevent getting STDs?

Nope.
Nope.
Currently I'm in a committed, long-term relationship, I was his first, so there's no real need for protection against STDs at the moment (birth-control is employed though). Previously I've used condoms though.

You should always be safe but if accidents or mistakes occur you're not going to automatically contract every STD known to man and get a girl pregnant. A friend of mine is more liberal than I am sexually (not a bad thing, having sex within relationships is just when I feel most comfortable), however, she can be, let's say, negligible when it comes to condoms. She's never had issues with pregnancy nor has she conrtacted any diseases but she really is playing Russian Roulette.

So, it's not as bad as you've been led to believe but better to be safe than sorry. It's definitely not reason enough to not enjoy sex.

I'm sorry but this is terribly naive. You have no idea who has and has not contracted an STD unless they tell you they have, and are tested frequently. If they go get tested, then go sleep with someone that doesn't mean they are "Disease free". Also, it usually takes time after contracting to even test positive. There is an " incumbation period" as well as false negatives.

"because so and so didn't get pregnant", that is not evidence of anything. She could have a problem where she cannot get pregnant. The guys may have been sterile, they may have a low sperm count. There are a number of factors that are involved in this, and to make an assertation based upon this is ignorant to say the least.

After having to tell patients the terrible news that their life is changed forever, and that they now have to inform others that they need to be tested as well, this is not something that should be taken lightly, nor to make uninformed decisions based on " so and so" not testing positive YET or getting pregnant YET.

Gaming forums are no place to receive health information. If you have a question about health information, ask your physician. I certainly hope that people do not follow randomn advice they received from people on a gaming forum over sound medical advice.

Statistics do not amount to much when all it takes is "one time" to change your life forever.

 

[FrostyChick]

Given that I'm a virgin and that this won't be changing for quite some time. No, I'm not worried in the slightest. ^^;

 

[Colour Scientist]

I'm sorry but this is terribly naive. You have no idea who has and has not contracted an STD unless they tell you they have, and are tested frequently.

"because so and so didn't get pregnant", that is not evidence of anything. She could have a problem where she cannot get pregnant. The guys may have been sterile, they may have a low sperm count. There are a number of factors that are involved in this, and to make an assertation based upon this is ignorant to say the least.

After having to tell patients the terrible news that their life is changed forever, and that they now have to inform others that they need to be tested as well, this is not something that should be taken lightly, nor to make uninformed decisions based on " so and so not testing positive YET or getting pregnant YET.

Actually, we've been friends for ten years and tell each other everything, good, bad and ugly. She has been tested recently. I'm not advocating that kind of behaviour and I've told her to be more careful on numerous occasions my point is that you're not going to automatically ruin your life if you slip up once.

I said she was playing Russian Roulette if you actually read my post and I didn't make any kind of assertions that it was okay to do so. If you are in the medical profession obviously you're going to see the ugly side of things but it's not as if it happens automatically every time two people have sex.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

I'm sorry but this is terribly naive. You have no idea who has and has not contracted an STD unless they tell you they have, and are tested frequently.

"because so and so didn't get pregnant", that is not evidence of anything. She could have a problem where she cannot get pregnant. The guys may have been sterile, they may have a low sperm count. There are a number of factors that are involved in this, and to make an assertation based upon this is ignorant to say the least.

After having to tell patients the terrible news that their life is changed forever, and that they now have to inform others that they need to be tested as well, this is not something that should be taken lightly, nor to make uninformed decisions based on " so and so not testing positive YET or getting pregnant YET.

Actually, we've been friends for ten years and tell each other everything, good, bad and ugly. She has been tested recently. I'm not advocating that kind of behaviour and I've told her to be more careful on numerous occasions my point is that you're not going to automatically ruin your life if you slip up once.

I said she was playing Russian Roulette if you actually read my post and I didn't make any kind of assertions that it was okay to do so. If you are in the medical profession obviously you're going to see the ugly side of things but it's not as if it happens automatically every time two people have sex.

Of course it is up to "chance" every encounter. I did read your post, and yes you said she was playing Russian roulette, but the rest of the post was terribly misinformed. Has she had fertility testing? Have the men had fertility testing? There are so many factors that play into this, to tell people " it isn;t bad as you believe" is poor advice, because yes, it only takes one. People can and do get STD's even on their first sexual encounter, so telling them it isn't "as bad" When you have 14 yr old girls who just lost their virginity testing positive for HIV. It is a terrible tragedy that can be avoided.

People need to understand that yes, you can get an STD even on your first sexual encounter.

 

[Colour Scientist]

Of course it is up to "chance" every encounter. I did read your post, and yes you said she was playing Russian roulette, but the rest of the post was terribly misinformed. Has she had fertility testing? Have the men had fertility testing? There are so many factors that play into this, to tell people " it isn;t bad as you believe" is poor advice, because yes, it only takes one. People can and do get STD's even on their first sexual encounter, so telling them it isn't "as bad" When you have 14 yr old girls who just lost their virginity testing positive for HIV. It is a terrible tragedy that can be avoided.

People need to understand that yes, you can get an STD even on your first sexual encounter.

She doesn't have fertility problems and I really doubt that every man she has ever slept with without protection has had fertility problems. I'm well aware that she's statistically an anomaly and incredibly lucky. I'm not misinformed, I've been educated about sex from my early teenage years. Hence, the better safe than sorry part of my first post.I'm aware of the statistics and the risks but I'm not going to tell people to fear for their life if they have one encounter and the condom breaks or some other accident occurs.

Those horror stories are sad but, again, I'm not going to help create the illusion of fear and death that some people like to create around sex.

 

[sanomaton]

I'm slightly worried but I don't let it get in the way of some great sex. Using a condom is meh but it's the only way to make sure you don't get an STD when dealing with one night stands, though, when I'm in a relationship and both of us are clean then it's easier and nicer to go with birth control pills. Less of a hassle.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

Of course it is up to "chance" every encounter. I did read your post, and yes you said she was playing Russian roulette, but the rest of the post was terribly misinformed. Has she had fertility testing? Have the men had fertility testing? There are so many factors that play into this, to tell people " it isn;t bad as you believe" is poor advice, because yes, it only takes one. People can and do get STD's even on their first sexual encounter, so telling them it isn't "as bad" When you have 14 yr old girls who just lost their virginity testing positive for HIV. It is a terrible tragedy that can be avoided.

People need to understand that yes, you can get an STD even on your first sexual encounter.

She doesn't have fertility problems and I really doubt that every man she has ever slept with without protection has had fertility problems. I'm well aware that she's statistically an anomaly and incredibly lucky. I'm not misinformed, I've been educated about sex from my early teenage years. Hence, the better safe than sorry part of my first post.I'm aware of the statistics and the risks but I'm not going to tell people to fear for their life if they have one encounter and the condom breaks or some other accident occurs.

Those horror stories are sad but, again, I'm not going to help create the illusion of fear and death that some people like to create around sex.

If it were an illusion, we would not have these young people just starting their life contracting STDs.
No, they are real, and this IS the reality of the world we live in today. We can strive for cures, but the truth is, these viruses mutate, and then the " cure" doesn;t work and we are dealing with something entirely different. Even when we try to reprogram viruses to make them harmless, we cannot prevent them from mutating in the future, nor can we even possibly use this as a viable solution.

Claiming " she doesn;t have "fertility issues" based on what? Actual tests? Fertility issues can come and go, and can also be impacted by a great many things as well.

The only way we can truly combat this at this time with our limited knowledge is by limiting the number of people that contract these diseases by making the messege loud and clear. " You can contract an STD on your first encounter." Other than that, we have no way to contain this.

I always laugh when in movies they show "quarantining" a severe outbreak. The truth is, that is impossible. We can take measures, but by the time you come down with symptoms, you have already exposed many. With most viruses, you are most contagious before you start to show symptoms. The incubation periods make them almost impossible to stop.

I am just telling you how it is. Not fear mongering. Truth is we cannot even tell you whether a virus is a living or non living thing. We can only attempt to make vaccines that may or may not work. We have no "real defense" against these things, and the only way to really solve this is prevent it from happening in the first place.

Now do not get me wrong. I love sex. It is a natural, beautiful, healthy, part of life. I am not one of those who believe " sex is a sin". Not at all it is awesome! Just you need to make sure you do it responsibly, because yes, the fact is, it only takes one time. Is that one time worth your life? That is the question people should ask themselves everytime. If it is worth it, it is worth getting tested and waiting until you have the results, and making sure the person you are doing it with can be trusted as well.