Common Myths about STDs

Let’s be honest, there’s nothing sexy about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Even the names feel icky. Human papillomavirus (HPV). Gonorrhea. Chlamydia. So, it’s no wonder most people would rather avoid talking about them. But, if you’re having sex (even ‘safe sex’), it’s a critical conversation.

Why? Because over 50% of people in the U.S. will have an STD (also called a sexually transmitted illness or STI) in their lifetimes and 1 out of 5 currently live with an STD. Because, contrary to popular belief, condoms (even when used properly) don’t provide complete protection from STDs. And because some STDs – HIV, herpes, HPV – are treatable and manageable, but not curable, which means their symptoms can seriously complicate your sex life for many years to come.

Unfortunately, the wild and wonderful world of sexual health is overpopulated with misinformation and myth. You might even have a few misconceptions yourself. If so, join us as we dive headfirst into the realm of infection, protection, and detection in the spirit of either busting or backing up some of that misinformation and some of the most popular myths surrounding STDs and safe sex.

Do condoms provide protection from all STDs?

Unfortunately, they don’t. While latex condoms (when used consistently and correctly) are highly effective in reducing the risk of many STDs, including HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis, they aren’t kryptonite and won’t provide complete protection against all STDs. Some infections, like herpes, HPV, syphilis, and monkeypox can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact in areas not covered by condoms.

However, even with perfect condom use, you still have a 3% chance of contracting or transmitting an STD. (For typical use, the failure rate is 12%.) Additionally, the type of condom makes a difference too. Condoms made from lambskin or other animal membranes don’t prevent the spread of STDs because they contain tiny pores through which virus particles can travel. On the other hand, studies have shown that synthetic condoms, like latex condoms, provide an effective barrier against even the smallest STD pathogens.

It's important that both sexual partners educate themselves on how to store condoms, how to put on a condom and how to take it off. Also, there are some great tips and tricks out there for incorporating the awkwardness of using condoms into your sex life that can make the act fun and, well, pretty sexy.

And if you’re curious, yes, there are a couple of failsafe ways to prevent contracting or transmitting an STD: refraining from sexual activity or being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.

Is it easy to tell if someone has an STD?

Here’s the deal: Many STDs are masters at disguise and excellent at playing hide and seek within our bodies without making a peep. Some infections don’t ever come out of hiding or present with noticeable symptoms, especially in the early stages. So, unfortunately, it’s often impossible to tell if someone has an STD by observation alone.

But, if you’re inclined to look anyway, here are some common symptoms of STDs:

• Sores, blisters, skin growths, or bumps on or around the genitals, anus, or mouth
• Vaginal or penile discharge
• Pain when peeing or having sex
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Itchy genitals or anus
• Swollen lymph glands
• Fever, headache, rash, sore throat, and fatigue are also common, if vague, symptoms

Testing on the regular and practicing safe sex are essential for preventing STDs. Open and honest communication with your sexual partner(s) is critical too, but remember: Your partner may not even know he or she has an STD, so sharing sexual histories has its limitations. Remember this too: knowledge is power, and in this case, it’s the power to make informed decisions with agency about your sexual health.

Can you get an STD from oral sex?

Yes. You definitely can get an STI from oral sex, especially gonorrhea, herpes, and syphilis. (You’re less likely to contract chlamydia, HIV, or HPV from oral sex.) This holds true whether you’re a person assigned female or male at birth or whether you give or receive oral sex. Symptoms of oral STDs include:

• Sores in the mouth
• Lesions around the mouth
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swollen tonsils or lymph nodes

Sexual partners can lower their risk of giving or getting an STI during oral sex by using a condom, dental dam, or other barrier method the right way every time they engage in sexual activity.

Do STDs cause infertility?

Some STDs, especially gonorrhea and chlamydia, can impact fertility in people assigned female and male at birth if under-treated or untreated. And since these STDs often go unnoticed due to lack of obvious symptoms, they can wreak havoc on reproductive systems, causing irreparable results.

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia can both cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a condition that occurs when bacteria spreads to reproductive organs and causes scarring of the cervix, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and/or uterus. This scarring is irreversible and can lead to infertility. In fact, damage to the fallopian tubes is one of the leading causes of infertility – it can prevent sperm from reaching an egg and can prevent a fertilized egg from entering the uterus for implantation.

Herpes, HPV, and syphilis can indirectly affect fertility as well. Herpes often causes couples to abstain from sexual intercourse, which clearly reduces the chances of getting pregnant. Some strains of HPV can lead to cervical cancer and precancerous cells, and treating those cells can cause infertility as well.

Untreated or under-treated STDs are major contributory factors when it comes to infertility. The silver ling? If STDs are diagnosed and treated sufficiently, they are less likely to cause permanent damage or have a negative impact on fertility.

Are all STDs curable?

As mentioned above, not all STDs are curable. In general, STDs caused by bacteria are curable while STDs caused by viruses remain in your body for life and are treatable and manageable, but not curable. According to the World Health Organization, four STDs are curable (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis) and four STDs are incurable (hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus, HIV, and HPV.)

Bacterial infections, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, respond to antibiotics and clear your system if diagnosed and treated early enough. Trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection, also responds to this treatment.

For HIV and herpes, the most effective medications are antivirals that modulate the course of the disease. Antivirals can also help fight hepatitis B and slow liver damage.

The HPV vaccine protects against genital warts and the strains of the virus that most often cause HPV-related cancers, like cervical cancer. The vaccine doesn’t cover all strains of HPV, however, so practicing safe sex is still necessary, even after receiving the vaccine.