by Gemma Davison

Ultimate Guide to STIs 2024: How to Spot, Treat, & Avoid Them

Ultimate Guide to STIs 2024: How to Spot, Treat, & Avoid Them

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), for many, are still a taboo subject and really difficult to talk about with their healthcare provider or partner. But there’s no need to be embarrassed about STIs or wanting to know more about them, such as how they are transmitted and how you can prevent them. This is information you should have so you can better protect yourself and take the necessary action if you think you may have contracted an STI.

We encourage everyone to use our guide to get real information about STIs – from signs and symptoms to getting tested, prevention, and treatment. We’ve taken away the taboo and have put together this straightforward, reliable, accessible guide lets you know:

  • What STIs are and the different types of infections
  • Risk factors for STIs and how they are transmitted
  • Common symptoms of STIs
  • Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of STIs
  • The prevalence of STIs and some important statistics
  • The risks and implications of STIs during pregnancy
  • Common STI myths

As well as busting myths and giving you information you can trust, we hope to inspire open and honest conversations about STIs and remove the stigma, so more people will have the confidence to get tested.

What are STIs?

Sexually transmitted infections (also known as STDs for sexually transmitted diseases) is a collective term used to describe infections that have a high probability of spreading from one person to another via intimate contact. They are called STIs as they have a high probability of being transmitted through sexual contact, but there are a few other forms of intimate contact that can spread infections from person to person.

STI vs. STD

You may be wondering what the difference is between STIs and STDs. The terms STI and STD are sometimes used interchangeably, but in recent years STI has become the preferred term, particularly in the medical sector. There are several reasons for this:

  • Not all diseases begin with infections, but sexually transmitted diseases first begin as sexually transmitted infections. The infection occurs when the sexually transmitted virus, bacteria, or parasite first enters the body and begins multiplying.
  • Not all sexually transmitted infections progress into a disease. The disease develops when the transmitted virus, bacteria, or parasite officially disrupts the body’s functions and processes.
  • Another significant difference between STIs and STDs is how they present. As an STD is the later stage of an STI, you may be showing symptoms. However, with an STI, many people show no signs or symptoms of being infected.
  • Stigma has helped lead to the emergence of the popularity of STI over STD. Often, the term ‘sexually transmitted disease’ has negative connotations and is associated with promiscuity or being unclean, just like the previous term for STDs – Venereal Disease – did. The term ‘infection’ doesn’t carry the same stigma, perhaps due to the perception that an infection is less severe than a disease.

Example: HPV

In many cases, the human papillomavirus (HPV) clears up on its own without causing any health problems and is therefore considered an STI. However, if the infection doesn’t go away on its own, some strains can cause genital warts and other strains can cause certain cancers. Now it can be defined as an STD.

As the term STI is more accurate for most cases, that is the term we will be using throughout this article, to avoid any confusion from using both acronyms.

How are STIs Transmitted?

Sexual Contact

The most common way for STIs to be passed between individuals is through sexual contact, which includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex, as well as kissing, genital touching, and sharing sex toys.

The risk of catching an STI is increased when there is contact with the porous mucous membranes that enable easy entry into the body for bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Mucous membranes line the body cavities and canals, including the vagina, rectum, mouth, urethra, nose, and throat.

Viral and parasitic STIs are most commonly transmitted through infected fluids, including vaginal secretions, semen, saliva, and blood, or skin to skin contact. Bacterial STIs are also spread through infected fluids, and also via contact with an open sore or blister.

Non-Sexual Contact

Several STIs can be spread without sexual contact. Bloodborne STIs, including HIV and hepatitis, can be spread by sharing objects that cut or penetrate the skin of an infected person. Examples include sharing intravenous needles, razor blades, and, in rarer cases, toothbrushes.

Plus, herpes and syphilis can be passed from mother to child during childbirth if precautions are not taken, and public lice and mononucleosis can be passed through skin-to-skin contact or by sharing towels and bedding.

Several risk factors can increase your chances of catching an STI, including:

  • Having unprotected sex – Vaginal, oral, or anal sex without the proper or consistent use of a barrier increases the risk of catching an STI from an infected individual.
  • Multiple sexual partners – The more people you have unprotected sex with, the greater your risk. Individuals with multiple partners may also have partners with multiple partners, which compounds your risk
  • Having a history of STIs – A previous infection with an STI makes you more susceptible to catching another infection. Skin that is irritated or blistered from a previous condition is easier for another pathogen to infect.
  • Serial Monogamy – People in exclusive sexual relationships are still at risk of contracting STIs as they may be tempted to stop using safe sex precautions. However, monogamy is only an effective way to prevent the transmission of STIs if you both have negative tests.
  • Excessive alcohol & drug use – While not all people act irresponsibly under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs, they may have lower inhibitions and impaired judgment, which may lead to engagement in riskier sexual behavior. Then of course is the danger of sharing drug paraphernalia with an infected person. Sharing a needle for injecting intravenous drugs, for example, is extremely high risk and puts individuals at risk of contracting blood-borne STIs.
STI Source(s) of Transmission Method(s) of Transmission
Chlamydia Infected genital fluids Unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex, sharing used sex toys, genital-to-genital contact, getting infected fluids in the eye, and it can pass from mother to baby during childbirth.
Gonorrhea Infected genital fluids Unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex, sharing used sex toys, genital-to-genital contact, and it can pass perinatally from mother to baby during childbirth
Syphilis Infected syphilitic sores and blood. Unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex, sharing used sex toys, and sharing needles with an infected person. It can also pass from an infected mother to her unborn child
Herpes Type I & 2 Infected skin, saliva, and genital fluids Unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex, skin-to-skin contact with the infected area, cold sore to genital contact, finger to genital contact, sharing used sex toys, and it can be pass from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth
Trichomoniasis Infected genital fluids Unprotected vaginal sex, sharing used sex toys, genital-to-genital contact, and in rare cases – from mother to baby – during childbirth
HIV Infected genital fluids, blood (including menstrual), breast milk, lining inside the anus Unprotected anal and vaginal sex, through the thin lining of mouth and eyes, through cuts and sores, sharing needles with an infected person, during pregnancy and childbirth, breastfeeding, and in rare cases unprotected oral sex.
Mycoplasma Infected genital fluids Unprotected oral, vaginal, and anal sex, and genital touching or rubbing
Hepatitis Hepatitis A – Infected feces

Hepatitis B – Infected genital fluid & Blood

Hepatitis C – Infected blood

Unprotected vaginal and anal sex, sharing needles with an infected person, and from a mother to her baby during childbirth
Genital Warts (HPV) Infected skin Unprotected vaginal and anal sex, and in rare cases unprotected oral sex, sharing used sex toys, and from a mother to her baby during childbirth
High-Risk HPV Strains Infected skin Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, genital-to-genital contact, and sharing used sex toys
Pubic Lice Close contact Sexual contact, other types of close bodily contact, such as kissing and hugging, and in rarer cases through sharing towels, clothing, and bedding
Mononucleosis Infected saliva, blood, and genital fluids Unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex, kissing, and sharing toothbrushes, drinking glasses, and cuttlery
Bacterial Vaginosis N/A – BV is not contagious Unprotected sex can increase the risk of getting BV

Types of STI

There are three main categories of STIs: viral, bacterial, and parasitic.

  • Viral STIs are like hijackers. They invade the body’s healthy cells, using their “machinery” to multiply themselves until the host cell bursts, releasing the newly-formed virus particles.
  • Bacterial STIs are single-cell organisms that reproduce very quickly once they’ve entered the body, which may crowd out host tissues, disrupting usual function. They can also release toxins that precipitate an immune response that is itself toxic.
  • Parasitic STIs are tiny organisms that feed on the nutrients of the host and can manifest inside or outside the body. Pubic lice are tiny insects that multiply by laying eggs, while trichomoniasis is a single-celled organism that reproduces by binary fission i.e. the organism splits into two.

three types of sti

Viral STIs

Generally speaking, viral infections can involve numerous parts of the body at the same time and the majority of viral STIs – including HIV, hepatitis B and C, and HIV, usually persist for life. Antiviral medication can manage these infections, while others must run their course until antibodies develop to reduce or eliminate the symptoms. However, it is important to remember that viral STIs can be transmitted via intimate contact when no symptoms are present.

Common viral STIs include:

Genital Warts (Low-Risk HPV Strains)

Genital warts are caused by ‘low-risk’ strains of the Human papillomavirus (HPV), with 90% of genital warts caused by HPV 6 and HPV 11. Genital warts are a very common STI with the Guttmacher Institute estimating that almost three-quarters of Americans between the ages of 15 and 49 have been infected at some point in their lives.

High-Risk HPV Strains

There are over 100 different strains of HPV and some of these are known as ‘high-risk’ strains as they can cause cancer. HPV 16 and HPV 18 are responsible for 70% of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. An additional 20% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. HPV 16 can also cause anal, oral, vaginal, vulval, and penile cancer.

Unfortunately, high-risk HPVs don’t show any symptoms until the infection has already caused serious health problems, which is why it’s important for regular sexual health checkups, high-risk HPV testing (in women only) and cervical screening. Early detection of precancerous cells from a pap smear or a diagnosis of  a high-risk strain of HPV, enables regular follow-ups to reduce cancer risk.

Hepatitis A, B, & C

All three variants of hepatitis can be transmitted through sexual contact and sharing needles, but it is hepatitis B that is the most common. Hepatitis A is the mildest type, while B and C can have long-term implications for the liver.

  • Hepatitis A is usually caught via the feces of an infected individual and usually passes within a few months. Anal sex is one method of transmission, but other ways to catch it include: Sharing needles with infected people, drinking sewage-contaminated drinking water, eating undercooked (or raw) shellfish from contaminated water, eating food cooked by an infected person who hasn’t washed their hands thoroughly. There is no specific treatment, but vaccination is available and is recommended if you’re traveling to areas the virus is common, such as Africa, Eastern Europe, the Far East, and the Indian subcontinent.
  • Hepatitis B is a bloodborne virus, spread via the blood of an infected person. Most adults can fight off the infection within a couple of months, but those infected as children are likely to develop a long-term infection. Antiviral medication can be used to treat the infection and vaccine is available worldwide as part of infant vaccination programs. It is recommended that unvaccinated healthcare workers, intravenous drug users, and men who have sex with men get the vaccine.
  • Hepatitis C, like hepatitis B, is spread through blood-to-blood contact with an infected person via sexual contact, sharing needles, or unsafe medical injections. It may cause flu-like symptoms and 1 in 4 people will fight off the infection. In the remaining cases, it will stay in the body for years. This is known as chronic hepatitis C and can lead to liver disease. There is currently no vaccine, but chronic cases can be treated with antivirals.

Herpes Type I & II

Although type I is mostly associated with oral herpes and type II with genital herpes, both forms of the virus can infect the mouth, genitals, or both. The two varients are biologically very similar, with the major difference being in the frequency of outbreaks. Type II outbreaks are more common at 4-5 times a year, compared to Type I, at just once a year. However, this varies from person-to-person and some infected people will experience no noticeable outbreaks at all.

It’s estimated that 1 million people in the US alone are infected annually and there is no cure, but it can be managed with treatment.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that changes a cell’s DNA, attacking the immune system, weakening the body’s ability to fight infection and disease. It is transmitted via blood, rectal and vaginal fluids, semen, and breast milk. It can infect someone through broken skin or through the mucous membranes, so unprotected anal or vaginal sex is a high-risk activity, as is sharing needles for intravenous drug use. Treatment can manage the disease, prevent complications, and may delay or prevent progression to AIDS.

Mononucleosis

Often known as Mono, Mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, a member of the herpes virus family. It is a common virus around the globe, with most people being infected with Mono at some point during their lives. It can be transmitted through sexual contact, but it’s most often transmitted through saliva, hence its nickname ‘the kissing disease’. Most people recover in 2 to 4 weeks, after which the virus becomes inactive in your body. In rare cases, the virus may reactivate in the future, but this usually has no symptoms.

Bacterial STIs

Unlike the majority of viral STIs, bacterial infections are curable via treatment with antibiotics, as long as the course of medication is completed. The longer a bacterial STI is left untreated, the more damage it can do long-term. However, like viral infections, there may be no signs or symptoms, meaning you can transmit it or catch it without knowing about it.

Common bacterial STIs include:

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

With an estimated 20 million infections each year in the US alone, BV is very common and can affect women of all ages. While not a sexually transmitted infection itself, some STIs can cause bacterial vaginosis, but it can also be triggered by chemicals in soaps and perfumes, allergens, and poor personal hygiene. Thankfully it is quick and easy to cure.

Chlamydia

Caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia can infect the genitals, cervix, urethra, anus, eye, and throat. Globally, it’s one of the most common STIs, being easily transmitted via sexual contact. It can result in serious complications, including infertility and ectopic pregnancy if left untreated. It can also pass to the baby during birth, resulting in eye and lung infections. This infection can also cause premature birth. But it is easy to treat with antibiotics.

Gonorrhea

Caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Gonorrhea can be transmitted by any kind of sexual activity, being spread by contact with the vagina, penis, anus, and mouth. It’s fairly common, with around 700,000 people in the US infected annually.

Mycoplasma

Only recently identified as an STI, Mycoplasma genitalium can infect the cervix, urethra, throat, and anus. It’s usually transmitted through oral and vaginal sex, but can also be spread via sex toys or hands that have been in contact with infected genitals.

Syphilis

Often called ‘the great imitator’ thanks to its symptoms being indistinguishable from other infections, syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It’s transmitted through contact with an infected sore through anal, vaginal, and oral sex. Now we have such easy access to antibiotics, syphilis, in its early stages, is simple to cure – it just requires penicillin, but much of the damage caused by untreated syphilis in its later stages may be irrevocable.

Parasitic STIs

Parasitic STIs are caused by tiny bugs that live inside and/or outside the body and are passed from person to person through intimate contact, not necessarily sexual in nature. In some cases, it can be transmitted from towels and other objects that have been used by an infected individual. Parasitic STIs can usually be treated successfully with over-the-counter and prescription medicines.

Pubic Lice

As the name suggests, public lice are small insects that live in coarse human body hair, including but not exclusive to pubic hair. It spreads easily during sexual and intimate contact, and in rarer cases can be caught from sharing bedding, towels, and clothing with infected persons.

Trichomoniasis

Caused by the tiny parasite, Trichomoniasis vaginalis, it usually affects the genitals and urethra. It is not believed to be passed on through anal or oral sex, usually spreading via unprotected vaginal sex and sharing sex toys, which have not been cleaned or covered with a new condom between uses.

Common Symptoms of STIs

Now you know about STIs, but how do you know if you have an infection? Take a look at the table below for the symptoms associated with the most common infections and any health consequences if you don’t seek treatment.

common symptoms of stisAsymptomatic STIs

Did you know that most STIs are asymptomatic? This means that they present with no noticeable symptoms, meaning you could have an infection (for many years) without even knowing it.

asymptomatic stis

No symptoms don’t mean there’s no risk. You can transmit an STI to a partner if you have no symptoms, and this includes STIs that can go into dormant phases, such as genital warts and herpes type I and II.

Furthermore, an asymptomatic STI can have serious long-term health implications for you without treatment. For example, an estimated 75% of cases of chlamydia in women are asymptomatic and with no symptoms, no treatment may be sought. This can lead to the development of pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility, both of which are life-altering. Therefore, it is so important to visit your doctor regularly for comprehensive STI screening, so you are diagnosed and can treat an infection before passing it on or before it leads to significant complications.

Diagnosis and Treatment of STIs

Your sexual health is your responsibility and it should be a priority for your wellbeing and the wellbeing of your partners. It is important that if you’re sexually active, you should undergo a complete screening for STIs, at least once a year.

There is no need to be nervous about visiting a sexual health clinic or doctor’s office for testing. Providing your samples is a quick and easy procedure. Depending on the STIs you’re being screened for, you will be asked to provide a urine and/or blood sample, and/or a genital swab.

There’s no need to be embarrassed, but if you would prefer more discreet testing, several companies are offering at-home STI test kits. They enable you to collect your own samples in the privacy of your home, to be mailed off and processed at accredited labs. Your results are delivered to you securely online, and the next steps can be discussed during a telephone consultation with a healthcare provider.

When to Test for STIs

You may want to get tested as soon as possible after having unprotected sex, so you can seek treatment immediately. However, the ‘window period’ of an STI needs to be considered, which is the phase between being exposed to an STI and the time it takes for the infection to be detectable in a test sample. If you test for an STI during its window period, you may get a false-negative result, and therefore, may pass on the infection to others, unknowingly.

Take a look at the table below for the window periods for the common STIs, sample type, and treatment method.

sti windows and treatments

It is important to complete any form of treatment as prescribed by your healthcare provider and to wait until a retest for the STI has come back negative before you resume having sex. If you test positive for a lifelong STI, you should take measures to engage in safer sex with current and future partners.

Prevention and Protection

STIs are preventable. There are many precautions you can take to ensure the health and safety of yourself and your partner(s). However, the only foolproof way to avoid catching and spreading STIs is abstaining from any sexual activity. As complete abstinence isn’t a realistic option for many, there are several other ways you can prevent catching and transmitting STIs.

Discussing Sexual Health With Your Partner

You should get used to talking about sexual health with your partner. You don’t need to share all the intimate details of your previous sexual encounters, but you should at least discuss the following:

  • Have either of you ever been diagnosed with an STI, and if so did you receive treatment?
  • When was the last time you both were screened for STIs? Have either of you had sexual partners since?
  • Have either of you had unprotected sex with previous partners? Were you tested afterward?
  • How do you plan to do to make sex safer? What methods will you be using?

These conversations may be difficult to start with, but they will become much easier. If it becomes commonplace to talk about your sexual health, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about whether the time is right to have sex and what precautions you need to take.

Regular STI Screening

All sexually active people should have full STI screenings at least once a year, or more often if you have multiple partners in the space of 12 months. Remember, many STIs don’t show symptoms, but an asymptomatic STI can still spread from partner to partner.

The only way to know for sure that you won’t catch or spread an STI is for you and your partner to get tested before you have sex. Several online STI testing services offer subscription packages for a number of infections. This means you will be sent the relevant at-home test kits every 3, 6, or 12 months so you can take control of your sexual health.

Use Barriers Consistently and Correctly

We should be clear: condoms, femidoms, and dental dams are not 100% effective in preventing the transmission of STIs, as you can still get herpes, genital warts, or pubic lice from skin-to-skin contact. However, if used correctly they are extremely effective.

condom dos and don'ts

Get Vaccinated

The most prevalent STI, HPV, can be prevented with a vaccine that is safe and effective in helping you avoid HPV-related health problems, including genital warts and cancers of the anal, mouth, and genital areas.

The HPV vaccination is available as part of routine immunization programs in over 80 countries. Who is eligible for the vaccine varies from country to country, but it is usually administered by age 12 in girls and boys, to be most effective. Adults can get the vaccine, so get in touch with your healthcare provider if you’re interested.

There is also a highly effective vaccination for hepatitis B, which is included in infant immunization programs in 95% of countries.

With abstinence being the only truly infallible way of protecting yourself against STIs, if you are engaging in any kind of sexual activity – not just penetrative sex – you should be screened regularly for infections. Also, it’s strongly advised that if you show any symptoms – such as a current outbreak of genital warts or herpes – that you abstain from having sex until it clears up.

Prevalence of STIs

Sexually transmitted infections present a major global public health crisis, with the incidence of the curable cases of the four most common STIs – chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis – increasing by 1 million a day.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) regularly evaluates the global impact of the four most common STIs, and over recent years claims there has been “no substantive decline” in the rates of existing or new infections. The statistics are quite alarming and stress the importance of regular screening and safe sex.

global prevalence of STIs

Other STI statistics you should know:

  • Around 1 million people in the US alone are infected with genital warts, every year.
  • About 1 in 4 adults is believed to have genital herpes.
  • More than 50% of sexually active adults are thought to have at least one type of HPV.
  • Mycoplasma is believed to be the most common STD diagnosed in young people with 2 million annual infections in the US alone
  • Nearly every woman will experience bacterial vaginosis at some point in her life.
  • Half of all sexually active individuals will contract an STI by the time they reach 25.
  • In 2016, almost 1 million women around the globe were infected with syphilis, leading to over 200,000 stillbirths.

How do STIs Impact Men and Women Differently?

Studies have long established that women are more prone to STIs than men. Why is there a higher probability of transmission from men to women than visa versa? Well, there are actually several reasons why women are more susceptible to STIs.

Unique Anatomy

The lining of the vagina is thinner, larger, and more delicate than the skin of the penis. This makes it easier for viruses and bacteria to penetrate. Also, the vagina – being moist and warm – provides the ideal environment for bacteria to reproduce.

More Asymptomatic Infections

Compared to men, women are far more likely to be asymptomatic for the common STIs – such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. This may mean that women are far more likely to go untreated for an STI.

Difficulty in Identifying Symptoms

It’s not uncommon for women to have some kind of vaginal discharge, and therefore, it may be dismissed as normal or as a simple yeast infection. Furthermore, as some of the female genitalia is obscured, ulcers, warts, or lesions, may be difficult to spot.

There’s More

The bad news continues for women. Every year a disproportionate number of women suffer long-term complications from various STIs. For women, an undiagnosed STI can lead to serious health complications including pelvic inflammatory disease – which doesn’t affect men – that can result in infertility or an ectopic pregnancy.

Infected pregnant women are at risk of passing on their STI(s) to their infants during delivery. Genital herpes, syphilis, and HIV can all be passed on to babies, potentially causing several serious problems, including stillbirth, low birth weight, deafness and blindness, and brain damage.

HPV is an extremely common STI in both men and women, but in men, it rarely causes serious long-term health problems. However, in women, the high-risk strains of HPV are the main cause of cervical cancer.

However, it isn’t all bad for women. They typically visit their doctor more often than men, which gives them a greater opportunity to discuss their sexual health and ask for STI testing. Don’t assume STI tests will be part of your regular exam or Pap smear – ask for it. If STIs are caught early enough and treatment is administered as soon as possible, the risk of long-term consequences, including infertility, is almost eliminated entirely.

Plus, the HPV vaccine, which prevents both high and low risk-strains of HPV, dramatically lowers the risk of certain female cancers, including cervical and vulval.

STIs and Pregnancy

Being pregnant offers no protection against STIs, for you or your unborn baby. If you have or catch an STI while pregnant, it can be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy or to the newborn during birth. To prevent STIs in newborns, doctors often encourage pregnant women to be tested, and if necessary, be treated for STIs.

If you go untreated for an STI during pregnancy, there can be several complications for your baby.

  • If diagnosed during pregnancy, chlamydia and gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics. However, if they go undiagnosed, it can result in preterm labor and low birth weight, and it can be passed on to the infant during vaginal delivery.
  • The greatest risk of transmitting hepatitis B occurs when a pregnant woman is infected close to delivery, which can lead to serious liver disease in her baby in later life. Immunization from birth is 90 to 95% effective in preventing babies from developing chronic hepatitis B.
  • Research has linked hepatitis C to an increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight. It can be passed to the fetus during pregnancy.
  • HIV can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. If you have HIV, your pregnancy will have to be carefully managed to reduce the infection risk for your baby. Treatment reduces the risk from 25% to just 1%.
  • Syphilis has been linked to serious complications in infants if left untreated, including premature birth, stillbirth, and damage to multiple organs.

Other effects of STIs on your baby can include:

  • Pneumonia
  • Eye infection
  • Acute hepatitis
  • Blindness
  • Deafness
  • Stillbirth

If you test positive for one or more STIs while pregnant, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, antibiotics, or other treatments to prevent it from spreading to your baby. To further reduce the risk, in some cases, a cesarean birth may be recommended.

Breastfeeding and STIs

If you have chlamydia, HPV, or gonorrhea, you can breastfeed your baby. However, some STIs will affect your ability to breastfeed your baby:

  • HIV – You mustn’t breastfeed as you could pass on the virus to your baby. Using a breastmilk substitute is recommended.
  • Syphilis or herpes – You can breastfeed as long as your pumping equipment or baby doesn’t touch a sore. If you have sores on your breast, express your milk until the sores completely heal.
  • Trichomoniasis – Antibiotic treatment will allow you to breastfeed, but you should wait 12 to 24 hours after starting treatment.

These are just some general guidelines. You should talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant if you want to breastfeed and have been diagnosed with an STI.

Busting Common STI Myths

Common STI myths

There is so much misinformation on the internet, but when it comes to STIs, inaccurate information can have serious health consequences. So, here are some of the common STI myths debunked.

Myth: You can’t catch an STI from anal or oral sex

Fact: Limiting your sexual contact to anal and oral sex does not protect you against STIs. Several STIs – including gonorrhea, genital herpes, chlamydia, genital warts, syphilis, and HIV – can all be passed between partners during oral and anal sex.

Therefore, it’s important to practice safe sex at all times and use a male or female condom or dental dam when engaging in oral or anal sex. You can make anal sex safer by using a water-based lubricant to prevent a condom from failing. Plus, male and female couples should use a new condom if they have vaginal sex after anal sex to avoid transferring bacteria from the anus to the vagina.

Myth: You can get an STI from sitting on the toilet

Fact: It’s a mystery why this myth persists as there is no scientific evidence that proves you can catch an STI from sitting on a toilet seat. The pathogens that cause STIs typically can’t survive outside the body for long without deteriorating. Once they start to break down, they can no longer infect you, so don’t worry, you’re not going to catch an STI from a toilet seat…ever.

Myth: Once you’ve had an STI, you can’t catch it again

Fact: Except for hepatitis B, your body doesn’t build up immunity to any STI and therefore, you can absolutely get an infection more than once. Plus, some STIs – such as herpes and HIV – are with you for life, so even if your partner is not showing symptoms, they can still be passed on to you.

Myth: Oral contraception can protect against STIs

Fact: The oral contraceptive pill provides absolutely no protection against STIs. Male and female condoms (femidoms) are the only contraceptive methods that will help prevent the transmission of STIs during vaginal or anal sex. A dental dam can also be used to protect during oral sex.

The contraceptive pill is designed to prevent pregnancy, so if you have missed a pill for any reason, or have been vomiting, the effectiveness of the pill is reduced. In these cases, you need to use backup contraception – like condoms – to reduce pregnancy risk.

Myth: Having an STI is something to be ashamed of

Fact: There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. STIs are just illnesses, like the common cold, and can affect anyone who engages in sexual activity. They are common, your doctor will see cases all the time, and the sooner you’re treated the better. Remember, STIs have nothing to do with grooming or cleanliness, and getting a test is not in any way a negative reflection on your behavior – it’s a responsible choice.

Myth: Getting an STI test is painful, invasive, and embarrassing

Fact: For both men and women, getting an STI test is often as simple as providing a urine or blood sample. Some tests – such as those for genital warts – require a visual examination and an intimate genital swab. However, methods are taken to protect your modesty and some services will offer the option of collecting your own swab sample.

If you do feel embarrassed about visiting a sexual health clinic, many online services offer at-home STI test kits, which allow you to collect your own samples and mail them to a lab discreetly. Just make sure the service you use will provide support and treatment if you need it.

FAQ

Do I need to get tested for STIs if I have no symptoms?

Yes! Often STIs show no obvious symptoms, making it almost impossible to know you’re infected. Even STIs that are asymptomatic can still cause health issues if left untreated, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and even some cancers.

How accurate is STI testing?

STI testing is not 100% accurate. That’s why it’s recommended that you get screened regularly to ensure you weren’t tested during an STI window period, which can result in a false positive. If you get tested once the window period has passed, you can expect the test to be 80-99% accurate, depending on what STI you’re being screened for.

Will STIs go away on their own?

It’s very unlikely! If you delay treatment for an STI, you risk the infection causing you long-term problems. For example, if chlamydia and gonorrhea are left untreated they can lead to infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease.

You also risk passing on infections to your partner(s), even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms or signs at the time. If you think you may have an STI, get tested as soon as possible.

Do condoms protect against all STIs?

The only sure-fire way to completely protect yourself against STIs is abstinence, but condoms do still provide a high level of protection. They are estimated to be 98% effective against STIs which are transmitted through fluids, including gonorrhea and chlamydia.

However, condoms are less effective against herpes, genital warts, syphilis, and pubic lice, which are spread via skin-to-skin contact. If the condom does not cover the infected area, then it does not protect against the STI. However, if the infections are limited to the areas covered by a condom, then the risk of spreading these STDs is greatly reduced.

Still, it is important to remember that a large percentage of STIs show no symptoms. Therefore, the only way to be sure that you’re not at risk of transmitting or catching an STI is for you and your partner to undergo thorough screening before having sex.

Do I need to inform my previous partners of a positive result?

Absolutely! If you test positive for an STI, your current sexual partners – as well as any partners you’ve had over the last 12 months (or after your last negative test) – need to be informed so they too can get tested. If they’re infected, they could be spreading an STI without realizing it. They must be allowed to get tested and seek treatment if necessary.

What is super gonorrhea?

Super gonorrhea refers to strains of the infection that have become resistant to the usual antibiotic treatments. However, doctors can grow a sample of a patient’s gonorrhea strain in the lab, to establish which drugs will stop the infection. But, this does take additional time over treating a non-drug resistant strain, meaning a patient may have to suffer with symptoms for longer.

Stay protected against super gonorrhea by practicing safe sex and getting screened regularly for STIs.

Support

There are many excellent resources online that can answer any more of your questions and guide you to additional support if you need it.

The STI Project

NHS – Sexual Health

Sexwise

CDC – Sexually Transmitted Infections

Planned Parenthood

Blue Sky Trust

Herpes.org

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About Author
Gemma Davison
Gemma Davison

Gemma is an Applied Biology graduate who has always had an interest in DNA, spending a few years after her degree researching epigenetics. She always keeps up to date with the latest advancements in DNA technology and has even DNA-tested her puppy.

Gemma is an Applied Biology graduate who has always had an interest in DNA, spending a few years after her degree researching epigenetics. She always keeps up to date with the latest advancements in DNA technology and has even DNA-tested her puppy.