6 Things Every Woman Should Know About STDs

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Let’s address the elephant in the room shall we? Let’s talk about sex. We all know that unprotected sex can lead to numerous kinds of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). But for most of us, what we know about sex is third or fourth hand knowledge that has been so watered down, it’s barely knowledge anymore. Sometimes we suspect we have wrong information are too shy and conservative to find out more. Ignorance can’t protect you though, that’s for sure.

 

RELATED: Abdominal Cramps After Sex

 

According to a piece done by StyleCaster (20 Things Every Woman Should Know About STDs), most of what we think is STD knowledge is a bunch of myths passed on from one ear to another. Here are six myths and facts about STDs you should know

Myth: Having no rash means you’re not contagious

For a lot of individuals, a rash around the genitals is sign that you’ve got a sexually transmitted disease and a lack of that is cosidered a sign that all is well and good.

“There are STDs that are contagious without a visible sore.”  – Rachel Hoffman, cofounder, sexpertise.org

 

Scary Fact: You can get STDs from clothes

You can get some sexually transmitted diseases (like crabs and lice) from clothes. Most of us have lived thinking since it’s sexually transmitted, you can only get infected via sexual means. Oops!

“Certain STDs, like crabs, lice, and scabies, can be contracted from unclean towels and sheets and even sharing underwear, as the hard-to-spot creatures embed themselves in the fiber” says sex therapist Dr. Kat Van Kirk

 

 

Myth: Painful sex or urination are common signs of STD

While these symptoms are indeed signs of STDs, they could also be signs of something else like a urinary tract infection

“Many times painful urination or sex can be the result of a urinary tract infection and not an STD.” says gynecologist Dr. Zita Liu.

RELATED: Sexual Satisfaction for Women: Pleasure Principles

 

FACT: Communicating is a great way to prevent contraction.

Communication is key. Better to ask those uncomfortable questions now than to deal with the consequences later.
“If the STD conversation hasn’t take place, then you are just as likely—if not likelier—to contract a disease,” says Hoffman. 

 

MYTH: Being cured from an STD once makes you immune.

There is no singular cure and prevention for all STDs. It’s best to get checked every couple of months.

“Just because you’ve been treated for one STD doesn’t mean you can’t have another one. In fact, you can even have more than one disease at a time,”  says Liu.

MYTH: You can’t contract an STD from someone else’s toothbrush or razor.

“Although rare, using someone else’s razor or toothbrush can spread STDs such as syphilis, herpes, HPV, and in theory HIV because of the micro-abrasions it can cause,” says Van Kirk.
Careful who you share toiletries with.

 

To see more STD myths and facts, go here