Are you worried about STDs?

[Apocryphal279]

First, no need to welcome me to the Escapist. This account was created because some of my friends know what my Escapist account is called, so I wanted to remain anonymous so I could be honest.

I grew up in a very conservative, Christian household. I was taught that sex outside of marriage was horrible, and that pretty much any attempt to engage in it would bring about either STDs or unwanted pregnancies. In fact, the youth groups I was forced to go to always taught me about how 25% of women have an STD, and stuff like that.

Yet, at the same time, I'm in college, and people are having sex left and right and it honestly doesn't seem that big of a deal. No one I know has gotten pregnant, and I'm close enough with plenty of people that they would tell me if they thought they got an STD.

Pregnancies have never been too much of a concern with me, mainly because if the proper precautions are taken on both sides, the chance of pregnancy essentially drops to a negligible amount. STDs, on the other hand, I've heard can be easily transmitted, and worst of all, they stick with you for the rest of your life. Plus, HIV/AIDS pretty much gives you a death sentence.

So, I'd like some honest feedback. 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?

Don't just answer to try to counter the classic Christian practice of never having sex outside of marriage; I'm past that already. I just want honest answers. Thanks for your time.

P.S. Yes, I'm asking this question on a video game community forum. No, I don't care. The people I've seen on here are far more insightful and open than those on any other forum I know of.

 

[Berethond]

I'm not worried about STDs because I'm celibate, for personal reasons unrelated to both religion and STDs etc.

But if you use your Jimmies then the risk is cut down significantly, far enough where I'd consider it safe. Just make sure you get tested regularly.

 

[Kae]

No, I'm not really concerned since my social life is so pathetic that my chances (and interest) on having sex is basically 0 right now I'm not worried at all about STDs.

 

[PunkyMcGee]

STDs don't just appear out of nowhere. but it's always a good idea to be on the safe side, wear a condom.

 

[Timbydude]

Eeeeeeh, from what I understand, they're not to be taken lightly. You can reduce the risk of getting them, but never completely. Just because your friends haven't gotten them yet doesn't mean that they won't at some point.

 

[Evilbunny]

Ok first of all, people don't really die of AIDS as much as they used to. Sure, once you get it you've got it for life, but the treatment for it has improved drastically over the past few decades to the point where the survival rate is very good. So don't worry your pretty little head about that. Second, condoms are excellent ways to protect yourself from STDs. I know our public school system makes it seem like You'll catch an STD after having sex once, but if you are careful and protect yourself the chances are very slim.

 

[ace_of_something]

Second, condoms are excellent ways to protect yourself from STDs. I know our public school system makes it seem like You'll catch an STD after having sex once, but if you are careful and protect yourself the chances are very slim.

Don't lump all public schools together. I got my sex education in a school that only had two classrooms and they taught us to use a damn rubber. My friends (who all went to different schools around the Midwest) Say the same thing, we were taught "Abstinence is the best way to avoid STDS but for the love of god if you can't control your filthy urges use a condom" they then proceeded showing us horrifying slides.

side note: the auto correct on this web browser wants to keeps correcting STDs to 'Studs'

 

[FalloutJack]

Let's start with just some basic answers.

{1} Probably not.

{2} No.

{3} Yes.

The thing is, I don't know anyone who's got 'em, so my thoughts fall under "They're out there somewhere, but it's not like i have to go hypochondriac here.". Take a precaution or two and have some fun.

 

[crudus]

I am not worried about any STDs, but that is just because I am not having sex. I also know people who sleep around quite a bit. I have not heard of them catching STDs, but I know quite a few of them who have gotten pregnant. Also, on the rare occasion that I have sex, I wear a condom.

In fact, the youth groups I was forced to go to always taught me about how 25% of women have an STD, and stuff like that.

I don't think that statistic is true, but if it is I do believe the pornography and courtesan community is skewing it. Also, why just women? I am pretty sure I guy needs to be involved for sex to happen.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

I wouldn't say worried. I'd say I have a healthy respect for what can happen though.

The nature of how my sexual encounters come about means there is always plenty of trust involved.

 

[The Cor]

I am not worried about STD's, in fact I am more worried about getting a girl pregnant then an STD.

Almost every female can get pregnant while just a small group of the female population has STD's, at least in my surroundings, true there are more safety measures for unwanted pregnancies compared to avoidance of STD's but those safety measures are not 100% failproof.

 

[Blow_Pop]

I don't worry about them for a variety of reasons:
A) at the moment I am celibate
B) When not I use protection on both the guy(or girl's end) and my end
C) I get myself regularly checked and keep myself in good health(not that I think my health really affects that but)

Also certain STD's don't even require sex to be transferable. Talk to medical professionals and research em yourself. Most of the time if you use protection properly you won't get them.

*advice given from a female who has slept with more guys than she cares to admit especially to herself and has no STDs and has never been pregnant*

 

[Jotver]

Why would I be afraid of strangely tall dinosaurs?

 

[gabe12301]

Nope. virgin until married. (and this is by choice)

 

[Souplex]

I'm worried about everything, and as such prepared for everything so I don't need to worry.
It's called being neurotic.

 

[Worgen]

not really

even if you have sex with someone who has an std its not a guarantee you will get it, not to mention that more then a few stds are easily cured now a days

 

[scythian0528]

'STDs' include sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections. Sexually transmitted infections are curable, and a fair bit of STDs are STIs. It really depends on how promiscuous your partners are.