Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections

[Fenntastic]

ive had STD checks twice. first when i was going to stop using condoms with my first partner (despite the fact i was an uber inexperienced virgin. i asked him to, so i got checked as well. fairs fair), and secondly after we broke up as he cheated on me, and i didnt know if hed done it before and such like. since then ive only slept with one person, and we used condoms so i havent had another check i will however when i start a new relationship, and i'll ask my partner to do the same. i dont see why people are scared to discuss it with their partners or scared of going to get checked. id much rather know i was clear, than hope i was.....

[Frankie LiDeo]

Originally Posted by hotblonde

Also, check the bloke you're going to have 'relations' with doesn't have any penile warts.

I should think that'd be good advice anyway.

I've never smoked or taken oral contraceptives. Must've been a foul be-warted piece of filth (man).

[hotblonde]

Originally Posted by TheChildcatcher

I should think that'd be good advice anyway.

I've never smoked or taken oral contraceptives. Must've been a foul be-warted piece of filth (man).

Well, there are a lot ot 'em out there...of course there's a lot of women of similar ilk out there too
HPV vaccine looks quite promising, so hopefully there will be better news for women regarding cervical cancer in the next few years.

[LesMTS]

Most of the time infection with HPV doesn't produce any symptoms. Rarely it produces genital warts and, rarer still, cancers. 80% of sexually active people will carry the virus at some point in their lives, most being completely unaware.

[Witch]

Ive always always always been safe with my partners, my first boyfriend was a virgin as was i but we still used condoms until we knew each other, my second partner was a virgin too and i knew where i had been but we still always used condoms.

My third partner was... yes you guessed it... a virgin so i didnt have to worry

My fiance used condoms with his first gf and i was on my patch and we stuck to condoms until we knew each other, i thin ive been really smart with partners and protection but i've still had an STI test and it was clear so i know im good

[Frankie LiDeo]

Where are you picking up all these virgins?

[Witch]

i like to corrupt them!!! they smell different

[hotblonde]

Originally Posted by LesMTS

Most of the time infection with HPV doesn't produce any symptoms. Rarely it produces genital warts and, rarer still, cancers. 80% of sexually active people will carry the virus at some point in their lives, most being completely unaware.

There are >150 subtypes of HPV each with a predilection for a specific anatomical site...so of course, not all cause genital warts or cervical cancers. There are, in particular 4 serotypes that cause cervical cancer HPV 16, 18 31 and 33 (some much more rare than others). I find it much simpler to refer to the virus in question as simply HPV rather than refer to the individual subtypes with regards to cervical cancer (on this forum). Stating HPV 'rarely' produces genital warts (altho' correct with regards HPV as a viral species) may be a bit mis-leading and simplistic. Oncogenic subtypes, are the aetiological agents of cervical cancer and do kill if not caught early early. The subtypes mentioned above are high risk subtypes, so a vaccine directed at HPV for males and females, will be beneficial and will save lives...assuming the protection lasts that is!
An example of how big a threat HPV is - in Mexico a woman dies every 2hrs from cervical cancer. European statistics are lower due to better education, condom use and screening.

[hotblonde]

Originally Posted by Witch

i like to corrupt them!!! they smell different

Think of all the rituals involving goats and dancing around fires you've saved them from

Just a couple of pointers for those that think condoms prevent everything (I know some of this has been said already, so my apologies.)

• 80% of sexually active women under the age of 50 carry a strain of the human papilloma virus which causes genital warts.
• The strains of HPV linked to cervical cancer do not produce warts on the genitals.
• Condoms do not protect you from HPV or HSV (Herpes) as there is still skin-to-skin contact.
• Being aware of your partners body is obviously going to help ensure that you are kept safe from infection, but HPV lies dormant for most of the time, once infected it never leaves the body, and warts can lie totally flat against the skin.
• Being screened for STI's is obviously sensible, but certain infections can lie dormant and have occasional outbreaks, therefore it can be difficult to get a definitive all-clear.

Also, just a nod to some that being infected with an STI doesn't make you a bad person, or a slapper, just unlucky. Some of the attitudes in this thread reflect why people won't talk about STI's.

[mischief]

Originally Posted by Vonnie

Also, just a nod to some that being infected with an STI doesn't make you a bad person, or a slapper, just unlucky. Some of the attitudes in this thread reflect why people won't talk about STI's.

Yeah, I'd agree that there is definately a certain stigma attached to STI's, but as you said I'd imagine it's more a case of being unlucky than stupid in most cases.

I'm another that falls into the 'yearly smear test' camp & usually take the appointment reminder coming through as a nudge to get an STI test (kind of killing 2 slightly horrible birds with one stone) I'd rather ensure I'm healthy now than find out I'm not a few years down the line.

[Zenith]

you can be as careful as u can be, accidents still happen, and unfortunately did for me a few years back. did the sensible thing got checked out and informed folk most stressful thing i've ever done tbh. not ashamed in the slightest, since it was exactly that, an accident.

ever since, im very very wary, even with condoms, i still like to get a check just to make sure, and get the guy checked.

[hotblonde]

Originally Posted by Vonnie

Just a couple of pointers for those that think condoms prevent everything (I know some of this has been said already, so my apologies.)

• 80% of sexually active women under the age of 50 carry a strain of the human papilloma virus which causes genital warts.
• The strains of HPV linked to cervical cancer do not produce warts on the genitals.
• Condoms do not protect you from HPV or HSV (Herpes) as there is still skin-to-skin contact.
• Being aware of your partners body is obviously going to help ensure that you are kept safe from infection, but HPV lies dormant for most of the time, once infected it never leaves the body, and warts can lie totally flat against the skin.
• Being screened for STI's is obviously sensible, but certain infections can lie dormant and have occasional outbreaks, therefore it can be difficult to get a definitive all-clear.

Also, just a nod to some that being infected with an STI doesn't make you a bad person, or a slapper, just unlucky. Some of the attitudes in this thread reflect why people won't talk about STI's.

A lot women are unaware that cervical cancer is linked to a STD an that HPV is a STI...being aware of your own and your partners body is excellent advice, but not all partners (male and female) are monogamous, so regular checks like pap smears are still the best available detection methods for prevention of cervical cancer...transformation of the cell is really what's being examined, which allows early detection of the more nasty, invasive cervical complications. Any genital contact can result in transmission of HPV, but condoms have been shown to reduce transmission..esp the low risk subtypes like 6 & 11 (and yes you're correct, these subtypes don't cause cervical cancer), that are associated with genital warts. Also, warts on fingers and feet (verucca) will not cause genital infections...just in case someone out there has a few bizarre sexual habits with feet
Oh and..aye...STD infectees shouldn't be stigmatised...I include HIV+ in that infectious group...some attitudes towards which are still in the dark ages.
p.s. checking sexual partners for penile warts is always advisable (tho' I'd pick my moment carefully ), because if they do have genital warts, then that's an indication that they have a STD and you don't know what else they may have contracted.

[Nieriel]

Originally Posted by pogoprincess

Not to sound bad or to worry you but smear tests are used to check for cervical cancer, not STI's (although if you specifically ask they can take swabs for things like chlamydia etc at the same time). Other infections like HEP, HIV need blood tests.

They generally do this as standard practice at the Sandyford.

[Addy]

Aye, soon as you go in there they give you the option (decling is an option as well of course) of tests for loads, including HIV, Chlyamdia, and Syphillis.