Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Few Widely Believed Myths about STD

We are living in a world in which people can find a lot of information about sexuality and especially about sexually transmitted diseases (STD). if you perform a basic research you will notice that the Internet is full of advice and articles related to sexuality, but the question is whether all these sources are reliable or not. Given that there are many sources that are not very reliable, it is better to double check all information related to sexually transmitted diseases and safe sex. In this way you will determine whether it is true or we are talking about myths. These myths lead to many serious consequences in people who are not very experienced in this activity.

While we are talking about myths associated with STD, it is very important for parents of teenage children to understand the importance of safe sex and STD. Modern parents believe that the information today are more accessible and that their children can easily learn everything they want with the help of the Internet. Some of them believe that they don’t need to educate their children and this is very wrong. It's getting more and more common in Australia now, but luckily it's not serious.

This approach is wrong because of the many aforementioned disinformation and myths that can be dangerous for everyone especially for inexperienced and ignorant adolescents. The feeling of discomfort and embarrassment related to open conversation about sexuality cannot be viewed as an obstacle between parents and their children entering sexual maturity. Parents should be patient and should have all the relevant and precise information and with an open conversation without any discomfort and taboos, they should present their knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases, sexuality and risks to the children.

Now let’s check some of the most frequent myths related to STD.

Oral sex is the safest form of sex – this is surely not true although it is one of the most widespread myths today. The truth is that certain STD like gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis, herpes and HIV are transmitted with oral sex too.

Hepatitis B and C and HIV are STD that can be transmitted only sexually – This is another myth and completely false information. HIV just like hepatitis can be transmitted in many different ways. Some of the people who have HIV got infected from unsterilized medical equipment, blood transfusion, acupuncture needles, infected equipment used for piercing and tattooing, organ transplantation etc. In addition, people can get infected if the wounded part of the skin like cut or bruise gets in contact with infected semen, blood or saliva. Contrary to popular belief, these diseases cannot be transmitted with handshakes and hugs or even via coughing.

Condoms can keep you safe from every STD – While it is true that condoms are able to prevent most of the diseases, it is also true that there are some STD that can’t be prevented with a condom. Besides that, the condom can be cracked or ruptured, so make sure to check whether you have used it in the right way. 

What are the Safest Sex Practices?

While many people will argue that safe sex takes all the fun out of sex, the fact is that communication with your partner and using safe sex practices will help improve your sex life by improving your relationship with your partner, and will help prevent the transmission of various STD’s. If you or your partner do have STD’s including HIV, there are a number of things that you can do to prevent the spread of these diseases.

The safest sex is to actually not have sex at all. Next to that, the safest sex is that between two partners who do not have any STD’s, who do not use injectable drugs, and who are not having sex with anyone else. If you are not sure of your partner’s sexual history or you know that there is a risk of the transferring of STD’s, there are a number of things that you can do.

Non-Penetrative Sexual Encounters

Outside of actual penetrative sex, there are a number of ways to achieve sexual satisfaction with a partner that will avoid the risk of transmitting various STD’s. These include fantasizing, phone sex, self-masturbation, mutual masturbation, sensual massage, and kissing. These encounters, especially when used together, can often achieve the same level of sexual pleasure as actual penetrative sex, but without the risks.

Safer Sexual Practices

When choosing to have penetrative sex with your partner, it’s best to do so in the safest way possible. Keep in mind that there’s no such thing as 100% safe sexual practices, but it is important to do all that you can to reduce your risks of STD’s and HIV. Safer sexual practices involve avoiding contact with your partners bodily fluids. The semen or vaginal secretions of your partner should not come into contact with your penis, vagina, anus, or mouth.

It is also important to avoid skin-to-skin contact of genitals, and to take additional precautions if you or your partner have any open sores, cuts, or wounds as any contact with these greatly increase the risk of spreading HIV. To practice safer sex, be sure to always use some type of barrier when having penetrative sex. Usually, that means using a latex male condom, but there are a number of other options available today.

Using Condoms for Safer Sex

While male condoms are most commonly used, there are also female condoms which fit inside the vagina, although these are more expensive and can be difficult to learn how to use. Either way, be sure to use latex condoms that are specifically designed to prevent disease which you can buy in drug stores and many other locations without needing a prescription.

Use a new barrier every time you have sex, and be sure to use lubricants that are water-based. Oil- and petroleum-based lubricants can cause latex condoms to break during use which renders them useless. You should also be checking condoms before using them to make sure that they appear normal. Never use a condom that feels brittle or sticky, is discolored, or has damaged packaging.