14 May 2020 |

Myths and Facts Discussed about the Chances of having an STD

Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs are quite common these days yet, it might be difficult to know actual facts about STDs. If you like to have sex with more than one partner, it is necessary to use a condom and stay protected. Getting tested on time will be beneficial for both the partners to prevent the spread of this infection. This blog post will help you to get answers about the chances of spreading STD from different kinds of sexual encounters.

Chances of getting STD from oral sex

Oral sex means using your lips, tongue or mouth to sexually stimulate your partner’s anus, penis or vagina. Oral sex is quite common among sexually active people that may take place between straight (heterosexual) and gay or lesbian (same-sex) couples. Many STDs and other types of infections can transmit through oral sex. If you have been exposed to a partner who has an STD, then it is quite possible to get the infection in your genitals, mouth, rectum or throat. You may visit a walk in STI clinic in London to get yourself tested and know if you have been infected with it.

The chances of getting STD from oral sex usually depend on several factors such as:

• The specific kind and severity of the STD
• The type of sexual activity you want to be engaged in
• The exact number of sexual acts performed
• The prevalence of STDs in the population where you and your partner belong
• Whether you have had protected sex with your partner

There are certain things to consider about oral sex and the risks associated with different types of STDs. It is quite possible to contract certain STDs in your mouth or throat while giving oral sex to your partner though they may have a rectal/anal or genital infection.

You may also contract some STDs in the anus, rectum or vagina while enjoying oral sex from your partner who has a mouth or throat infection. STDs are not restricted to one area of the body, either and so, you might suffer from an infection in more than one area like genitals or throat, at the same time.

It is important to know that there are some chances of getting an STD from oral sex even when your partner does not show any signs or symptoms of it. There are certain cases when the symptoms don’t appear by themselves. As different STD transmitted due to oral sex may spread to other body parts and if not treated on time, it is necessary to get STD screening done at a private STI clinic in London when you are sexually active.

STDs that may transmit due to oral sex are:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Trichomoniasis
• Syphilis
• Herpes
• HIV

Other than the STDs, other infections such as – hepatitis A, intestinal parasites like Shigella and amebiasis might spread by giving oral sex to your partner on the anus.  

Factors to enhance the chances of getting an STD from oral sex

• Improper dental health that consists of gum disease or bleeding gums, oral cancer and tooth decay
• Sores in the mouth or on your genitals that can improve the chances of getting an STD from oral sex
• Direct exposure for ejaculating or pre-ejaculating of a partner who has been infected with an STD 

How you can avoid the transmission of STD during oral sex

You may lessen the chances of getting an STD from oral sex by using a condom, dental dam or any other barrier method every time you might be involved in oral sex. 

• When you have oral sex on the penis, your partner needs to cover his penis completely by using a latex condom. If you are allergic to latex, try using polyurethane (plastic) condoms.
• When enjoying oral sex on anus or vagina, you may use a dental dam. Try to create your own by cutting a square from a condom and then place it between your mouth and anus or vagina of your partner.

Chances of contracting an STD due to one night stand

There are higher chances of getting an STD from one night stand or one unprotected encounter. In case you have had sexual intercourse with a partner even once who is already infected with gonorrhea, syphilis or chlamydia, then your chances of getting the STD are almost 30 percent. As these infections may cause serious health problems if not treated on time, it is quite important to know the risk that unsafe sex brings with it. If you want to lessen the risk of transmission, use latex condoms as sexual protection dams.

Can condoms avoid the spread of STDs 100 completely?

If condoms are used properly, then they are extremely effective in the prevention of STDs that can be transmitted due to bodily fluids such as – gonorrhea and chlamydia. They also can prevent the spread of HIV effectively and offer less protection against the infections that can spread due to skin-to-skin contacts such as syphilis and herpes.

There arises an important question, “Can you get STD with a condom?” The answer is yes as abstinence is the only way that can be completely effective. But for people who use condoms to stay protected, the chances are greatly lessened.

If you want to get the most protection while using condoms, consider the following:

• Read the package label of your condom before you may use it
• Select condoms with a label that assures to avoid any kind of disease
• Use a new condom every time you want to enjoy sex with your partner
• Keep condoms in a dry and cool place as heat might weaken them and reduce their effectiveness
• If you use lubricants with condoms, try using water-based lubricants or oil-based lubricants such as – petroleum jelly, baby oil, and cold cream to avoid weakening the condom

Select the right type of condom to prevent STDs

It is advised to read through the package label and consider these two things:

• The condoms should be made of latex and tests show both latex and polyurethane condoms might prevent the transmission of hepatitis and HIV. Condoms that are made of lambskin might not provide the same amount of protection. 
• The package label must say that condoms will be able to prevent the disease. If there has nothing been mentioned on the package about the prevention of disease, then the condoms might not be tested to avoid spreading STDs.

When you need to undergo STD testing

If you remain sexually active, then it is certainly a good idea to get tested for STDs. This is extremely important when:

• You want to enter a new relationship
• You and your partner do not like using any kind of protection such as condoms at the time of enjoying sex
•  You or your partner have had sex with several partners
• You suffer from the signs and symptoms that indicate you are having an STD
• You are sexually assaulted and highly concerned you might have contracted an STD

Women who have already conceived or want to become pregnant need to be tested for STDs as they may affect the fetus. Your physician might conduct screening for STDs at the initial prenatal visit. 

Finally, it is extremely important to know that the only way to stay protected from STDs is to stop yourself from having sex. Despite the type of sexual encounter, you might have, there are always some chances of getting an STD.

There are many STDs such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, HIV, HPV, trichomoniasis and herpes that may spread through oral sex. According to experts at a London based STI Clinic, you may lessen the chances of getting an STD from oral sex by using a condom or a dental dam. Thus, the chances of getting an STD due to one-night stand are quite high unless you do not take proper protection. Besides, condoms are extremely effective in the prevention of common STDs.