When it comes to STD's and dating the rule is full disclosure. If you truly care for someone then you need to let them know your sexual history. This will allow them to make the best decision for themselves as to how to proceed with your sexual relationship. If you plan to have unprotected sex you need to get tested for HIV/AIDS. STD's are not to be approached lightly, so have a candid talk with your partner about your STD history, and gather together information for them about any STD you have or may had. If he has had any STD's, research them, and make sure to talk to a doctor and get tested before you decide to have unprotected sex.
I have been seeing this woman for almost two months, and we have not had sex. She wants to do it, but I have asked her to wait. I have herpes, and I want to let her know that I do before we sleep together. I want to make sure that she is safeguarded from getting the disease. How do I make sure that she is protected?
You and your partner need to have open and honest communication about herpes so you can work together to prevent transmission. You need to feel comfortable telling your partner when you feel an outbreak coming on. Provide some literature for her about herpes, and allow her time to adjust to the idea of herpes. Explain to her that you can have sex in between outbreaks using a condom or dental dam (female condom), and that when you have an outbreak you can practice non-coital sex, or sex without penetration. All relationships face challenges, but by being open about your herpes you are fostering communication, respect and trust. These are three of the most important bricks in laying the foundation to a healthy relationship.
Tips for STD Prevention
Fighting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is important, because STDs can put women at greater risk for:
- Cervical cancer
- Pregnancy
- Heart disease
What is the best way to react to the news that you have an STD?
- Panic
- Denial
- Seek proper treatment
Should you wait until you or a loved one have symptoms to plan for reproductive health?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
While HPV can cause cervical cancer, Chlamydia can lead to:
- Kidney disease
- Infertility
- Lung problems
The CDC recommends vaccination against HPV for women and girls between the ages of 11 and 26. What is the name of the HPV vaccine?
- JAMA
- Elsevier
- Gardasil
Is there any way to completely prevent STDs?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
If you cannot abstain from sex, which contraceptive can protect you from many STDs?
- Birth control pills
- Condoms
- The IUD
How often do you need to use a condom for effective protection?
- Most of the time
- All the time
- Only with strangers
Does a woman have other options if she cannot get her partner to use a condom?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
What is the most important thing for a teen to remember about STDs?
- Get tested and practice prevention
- Don't worry, be happy
- Only have sex with trusted partners
Comments: (13)
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By: ooiobaae on 1/05/2009 6:48PM
I am happy you're practiciing safe sex. Continue to do so WITH THE CONDOM. As you said, you've been 'burned once b4'.
Until you two are married or are in a committed monogamous relationship ALWAYS USE A CONDOM.
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By: LORRAINE on 1/05/2009 10:35PM
I SAY WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN VEGAS, THIS BOYFRIEND IS ON A NEED TO KNOW BASIS AND HE DON'T NEED TO KNOW. JUST CONTINUE TO USE SAFE SEX AND TRUST KNOW ONE.
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By: ARIYANNA on 1/06/2009 10:18AM
Since your boyfriend no longer wants to use a condom, I think it wise that you both get tested for HIV. You should tell him you have Genital warts. Now just b/c you got the genital warts removed doesn't mean they are gone, it is a virus so you will always have them for life, you may not always see them. As an RN, genital warts are disfiguring from what I have see from patients. The perineum looks like colliflower at its worst. Even though you have been smart about protection, you should tell him anyway, b/c depending on where they are at on your perineum there is a great likilihood he had already been exposed. Stay smart & Stay protected. . .
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By: ARIYANNA on 1/06/2009 10:28AM
I think it commendable for you to have use protection with your girlfriend. Sad to say many people dont use protection hoping their partner will not be exposed. The sad fact is that they are exposed, and will have herpes for life. Even if you tell your partner, still wear a condom. STD's are not a joke and its not a game. Herpes won't end you life, but HIV can take you out. Stay smart & Stay protected.
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By: Truth Seeker on 1/06/2009 11:47AM
Sometimes you can't even trust someone you have been with or someone you plan to spend you life with. My boyfriend had the woman that he planned to marry give him chlamydia WHILE she was pregnant with their child. I mean, if you cannot trust the one who is carrying your child, who CAN you trust? Thats why you should play it safe at ALL TIMES unless you have made sure that you are ready for that lifelong committment AND you trust them completely and there are no infidelity issues.
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By: Emmieline on 1/06/2009 8:07PM
ALL WAYS USE A CONDOM PLEASE NEVER LET A MAN TELL YOU DONT NEED IT .THANK YOU
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By: marigold sing on 1/07/2009 12:11AM
My mantra when I was single was "TRUST NO ONE"! When I met the man, who is now my husband, I prefaced our intimacy with a visit to the doctor for HIV/AIDS testing. I additionally requested that he be tested for the more common STD diseases -- prior to engaging in sexual intimacy with him. I did not know how he would take my requests, but I decided that if he wasn't agreeable with these requests, he was not the man for me because he did not think highly enough about himself, his welfare, and the most important thing in life, and that is his health. He was, surprisingly, really afraid. He had never been tested for HIV/AIDS, and he had had multiple partners in the past and had engaged in unprotected sex, but he recognized that now was the time for him to stop "playing ostrich", and to take his head out of the sand. He was ready to go to the doctor, and he respected me because I respected myself enough to make this doctor visit a prerequisite to sex.
Even before we got to this point, I waited several months before engaging in sex. Once I felt that he was the man I wanted in my life permanently, we sat down and had a long frank discussion about our expectations. We agreed upon a commitment of monogamy. Once we were mentally, spiritually and emotionally in love, we were able to take the next step to ensure our physical safety by going to the doctor. There are a lot of men on the down low, and AIDS cannot be treated with a shot of penicillin. It is a disease wrought with suffering and a liftime of heavy medication, and it can very possible be a death sentence.
Herpes cannot be treated. Once you contract this disease, it is with you for life. It will go in remission, but even when it is in its dormant state, it is still possible to contract this awful disease.
And Chlamydia is a silent STD that can go undetected while wrecking havoc on its host, including causing infertility and sterility.
With all the really scarey STDs facing couples, it just makes good sense to go for testing prior to engaging in intercourse, and to be completely open with your partner about your sexual history, and any diseases that you have, or might have had in the past.
The STD statistics within the African-American community are staggering. We must be more responsible to our partners, to our families, to our community, and to ourselves.
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By: chzz on 1/07/2009 9:45PM
PLEASE READ Herpes can be transmitted even when the infected person does NOT have active symptoms.That means it can be spread even when there are no obvious sores or rash.It is also spread more easily to women.
Drug treatments shorten the symptoms and help reduce outbreaks and spread to partners but there is no cure.Once you have it then it stays in your body for life.
Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus(HPV)and there are several treatments to clear the warts BUT the virus remains in the skin and it can flare up again.Some strains of HPV are also associated with cancer of the cervix and cancers of the penis and anus.
So STDs require the whole truth and nothing but the truth.Remember condoms do not cover all genital areas which may also have infected lesions so do not fool yourselves that all you need is a condom.
Young people out there-Practise abstinence.Sex is hyped up in videos,movies..everything.But you don't see the ugly side of STDs and having sex too early in life.You don't need the baggage when you meet that special person and it will be worth the wait.Bless.
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By: ms. roe roe on 1/08/2009 3:37PM
please protect yourself. just like you had a one night stand and got a disease you boyfriend might one day also...hiv is very serious. shouldnt take the condom off unless its your husband.. you will probably have plenty more boyfriends in the future and u cant keep taking the condom off for all of them..most men arent honest
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By: t_dog80 on 1/08/2009 9:27PM
Don't want to really judge, but if you're going to think about marriage you should tell him ASAP. Why keep prevaricating the obvious. Would you want him to tell you if he had it? You are not a slut, but the outbreaks are dirty. I literally shed a tear when I seen them things on WIKIPEDIA. Stop lying your man.
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