How to prevent STIs?

Sandra Sanchez60 NewcomerOP

2 messages
joined May 2010

#1 · Aug 7, 2010

I’ve got a question that I honestly have no clue where to slot in—so here we go, a brand new thread. I'm feeling a little turned around by all this.

So... how exactly are STIs passed around?

To be more specific—if I haven't actually had full intercourse with my boyfriend, but our genitals were touching... or if we "tried" but nothing actually happened because the lady in question said "NO!"—is it still possible to catch an STI?
I know some things can be passed along without even ejaculation... just through skin-to-skin contact. I’m not talking about things like itching, Hepatitis B, or Syphilis—I'm specifically wondering if certain things can spread that way too? :S

I haven't actually had sex yet—but honestly, I’m feeling a little apprehensive about what I’m getting myself into here.

I’m actually really curious about this... any help would be appreciated. 😁

mistydrifter55 Active Member

137 messages
joined May 2004

#2 · Aug 7, 2010

I’ve never quite wrapped my head around this whole concept of "dry sex," or being "intimate without actually having sex."
I mean, if you’ve already reached the point where you’re basically rubbing parts together, what are we even doing here? Wtf??? 😕

Not to be a total buzzkill, but let's be real: you can still catch something just from skin contact, heavy petting, or oral. 😳

electrichound94 Member

21 messages
joined Mar 2010

#3 · Aug 7, 2010

Honey, the one thing you clearly couldn't manage was getting pregnant.☕
Well, maybe!😁 It seems like you don't know anything these days...🤣

ruggedscout91 Active Member

63 messages
joined Feb 2010

#4 · Aug 7, 2010

I’ve felt an attraction to other men on more than one occasion, which could have easily led to an affair.
After weighing the moral consequences and obsessing over the guilt that would follow, I ultimately backed away—driven largely by the fear of contracting an STI.
My husband and I married when we were incredibly young; we were essentially each other's first everything when it comes to intimacy.
Honestly, I think I’d be a fool to take such a risk now just because someone happens to catch my eye. Is a fleeting spark worth that kind of gamble?
Not if it means living with the constant anxiety of HPV, HIV, or worse.
What is everyone else's take on this?
Do you give in to the impulse, or do you stay disciplined and spend the rest of your life wondering "what if"?

Samuel Morgan40 Active Member

178 messages
joined Mar 2010

#5 · Aug 7, 2010

Sandra Sanchez60 said:I
I haven't actually had any sexual intercourse yet—but, I guess you could say I’m feeling a little apprehensive about what I’m getting myself into here.

I am genuinely curious about this... I could really use some help here. 😁

Of course it’s possible. Especially when you consider that HPV can be transmitted via skin-to-skin contact in the genital area—something a condom simply doesn't account for. It has even been identified in individuals who haven't been sexually active. The same logic applies to bacteria, which can be picked up through other "channels"—and let's be realistic, humans—particularly women—aren't exactly sterile environments down there. There is always a certain balance—or perhaps an imbalance—of "good" versus "bad" bacteria present; some of it is just naturally part of our biological makeup.

Look, there isn’t really much philosophy to be found here—it’s pretty straightforward. Just use a condom and try to exercise some common sense. If you’re staying on top of regular checkups with your gynecologist, there’s honestly no reason to be spiraling into anxiety. We all know that engaging with a new partner—or, frankly, just being sexually active in general—carries an inherent level of risk. It’s just a reality of life. But if you actually take responsibility for yourself, your health, and your partner's well-being, then you’ll make sure those appointments happen and you'll use protection. It’s really that simple. 😉

Sandra Sanchez60 NewcomerOP

2 messages
joined May 2010

#6 · Aug 7, 2010

mistydrifter55 said:I’ve never quite wrapped my head around this concept—sex without actually having sex, or being "active but innocent."
I mean, if you've already reached the point where things are getting physical, what's the deal? 😕

Not to be a buzzkill here, but you can still catch stuff just from heavy petting or kissing. 😳

Well, we've reached that stage, but I'm still not looking to have full-blown sex—though a little making out and touching doesn't hurt. 😂 That’s why I’m asking, since I don't know much about how this all works.
And besides, I know I'm not the only one who does this...

Samuel Morgan40 Active Member

178 messages
joined Mar 2010

#7 · Aug 7, 2010

Sandra Sanchez60, everything about this is perfectly normal—and while you certainly could pick it up just by touching the genitals, I suppose the risk is marginally lower that way. But regardless, it’s still possible.

Sandra Sanchez60 NewcomerOP

2 messages
joined May 2010

#8 · Aug 7, 2010

Sophia Wells72 said:Of course you can. Especially with something like HPV—it spreads through skin-to-skin contact around the genital area, which a condom doesn't even cover. It’s been found in virgins, too. The same logic applies to bacteria that can be picked up through other "channels." Let’s face it, we aren't sterile—especially women—there's always a certain "balance" of good and bad bacteria present; some of it is just naturally part of our biology.

I get the HPV thing (contact, maybe even pool areas and stuff like that), but what about gonorrhea? I was reading that it’s transmitted sexually—vaginally, orally, anally. That’s where I’m stuck. Doesn't vaginal transmission imply penetration? Because if there isn't any...😕 ?? I feel like it's still possible to catch it... but then again...🤷 🤷 🤷

Samuel Morgan40 Active Member

178 messages
joined Mar 2010

#9 · Aug 7, 2010

Sandra Sanchez60 said:I get the deal with HPV—it spreads through contact, maybe even at public pools or something similar. But what about gonorrhea? I’ve read that it’s transmitted sexually (vaginally, orally, or anally). That’s where I get confused. Doesn't "vaginal" imply penetration? If there isn't any... 😕 ?? I mean, I suspect you can still catch it that way... but then again... 🤷 🤷 🤷

Well, the whole idea that you pick up HPV at a swimming pool is an old myth that just isn't accurate. It spreads via skin-to-skin contact with an infected area, and since HPV targets mucous membranes, it can show up in the mouth (though that's less common, usually via oral sex) and most frequently in the internal and external genital areas. So, penetration isn't actually a requirement. Don't overthink it too much—certain things can be passed during foreplay (which is rarer, I suppose), but that applies primarily to HPV.

Regarding gonorrhea and other well-known infections—I’ll just reiterate what my gynecologists have told me, which seems to be the general medical consensus these days. We don't really see those "headline-grabbing" diseases as much anymore; instead, we're dealing with viruses like HPV and various bacteria or microorganisms that tend to be quite sneaky and often asymptomatic (HPV being the prime example). Nowadays, the most important thing is staying on top of regular checkups. Even a Pap smear won't necessarily tell you everything; you really need those four specific targeted gynecological swabs. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with you to be proactive and consistent with your screenings. Just look at this forum—you don't see much chatter about gonorrhea; the main topics are always HPV or various bacterial issues.

Joseph Miller41 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Jul 2010

#10 · Dec 11, 2010

So, I was wondering if anyone here has some advice or maybe similar experiences to share.
A few days after having sex, I’ve started feeling this itching and redness down there, and honestly, it’s super uncomfortable. I can't tell if it's just going to clear up on its own or if I really need to go see a doctor. We used a condom most of the time, but clearly, I still managed to pick up some kind of infection. Is it even possible to catch something just from contact with sperm, or can you get it simply from skin-to-skin contact with the penis??

neonnomad18 Member

16 messages
joined Aug 2010

#11 · Dec 11, 2010

Jessica Wilson76 said:So, I was wondering if anyone here has any advice or similar experiences.
A few days after having sex, I’ve been dealing with this itching and redness down there—it’s incredibly uncomfortable, and honestly, I have no idea if this will just clear up on its own or if I really need to go see a doctor. We mostly used a condom, but clearly, I still managed to pick up some kind of infection. Is it even possible to catch something just from contact with semen, or can it happen through skin-to-skin contact with the penis itself??

...it is entirely possible that you are just dealing with a common yeast infection (candida), which can usually be treated with over-the-counter creams from places like Johnson & Johnson... but regardless, you should definitely make an appointment with your doctor....

Samuel Morgan40 Active Member

178 messages
joined Mar 2010

#12 · Dec 11, 2010

Jessica Wilson76 said:A few days after having sex, I’m feeling this itching and redness in my genital area—it's incredibly uncomfortable, and I honestly can't tell if it'll just clear up on its own or if I really need to see a gynecologist. We mostly used a condom, but apparently, I still managed to pick up some kind of infection. Is it possible to catch something just from contact with semen, or can it happen simply through skin-to-skin contact with the penis??

Pretty much this entire subforum is dedicated to this exact topic. Of course you can contract an infection—not just from semen, per se, but through any contact with the penis and the surrounding area, as well as via oral, anal, or even just general foreplay. That is... how shall I put this... something one ought to understand before engaging in sexual activity in general. Most STIs are caused by bacteria or viruses, many of which don't even present symptoms initially. What you're describing sounds like a classic case of Candida—a fungus that actually lives naturally within us and just flourishes when conditions become favorable (perhaps a reaction to the lubricant on a condom, more vigorous intercourse, excessive dryness from either the vagina or the condom itself, using too much fabric softener or harsh detergents on your underwear, wearing thongs, or perhaps using non-breathable fabrics; antibiotics, high sugar intake, stress, or a weakened immune system). This typically results in white discharge—sort of a cottage cheese consistency—along with stinging and itching. And I suppose the more you scratch or try to wash it away with aggressive soaps and various treatments, the worse it gets. And, of course—fungal infections aren't technically considered an STI or a contagious disease.

Now, look, no one here can give you a definitive guarantee that this is actually what you have; you know as well as I do that you really need to visit a gynecologist for a proper exam to confirm whether it is indeed a fungal issue. It seems somewhat pointless for me to sit here and lecture you on every single possibility, especially since there are countless useful threads about different pathogens and transmission methods, and plenty of information online. Just go see a doctor; it's the best way to get clarity. If you truly do have that thick discharge along with the itching and stinging, I might suggest pausing sexual activity until it clears up—meaning, perhaps, while you use some Johnson & Johnson cream and the corresponding vaginal suppositories to start a treatment regimen. But, I guess, gynecologist first.

Joseph Miller41 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Jul 2010

#13 · Dec 11, 2010

Sophia Wells72 said:Honestly, pretty much this entire subforum revolves around this exact topic.

............

Look, just go see an OB-GYN. It’s really the only way to know for sure what’s actually going on. If you’re dealing with a cottage cheese-like discharge along with that itchy, stinging sensation, my best advice is to hold off on any intimacy until things clear up. In the meantime, you could try using some Johnson & Johnson cream or their vaginal suppositories to start treatment, but seriously—see a doctor first.

So, here's the deal: life is just unpredictable these days, isn't it? You can use a condom and still end up catching something, let alone when you aren't using one. I was actually wondering though—is it even possible to pick up a virus just through skin-to-skin contact, without any actual semen involvement?
I've already started applying some Johnson & Johnson on my own and it seems to be helping so far, but I think there's supposed to be a three-day course to fully get rid of it.

Samuel Morgan40 Active Member

178 messages
joined Mar 2010

#14 · Dec 12, 2010

Jessica Wilson76 said:Look, the reality is that nobody is truly certain about anything these days. Even if you’re using a condom, anything can happen—and if you aren't, well, the risks are even higher. But what I was actually wondering is whether it’s possible to pick up a virus just through skin contact, without any actual contact with semen?

Of course it is; that’s really the core of the issue. You don't necessarily need semen involved at all. While a condom does protect you from most STIs, it won't provide one hundred percent protection against HPV. So, if we are talking about viruses specifically, we're likely talking about that. The reason? It’s quite simple: a condom just can't cover the entire genital area that the virus targets—or rather, where it can strike. And naturally, high-risk strains often present no symptoms at all. With low-risk strains, you might see genital warts, but those can develop internally rather than externally, so they frequently go completely unnoticed. Honestly, the symptoms you're experiencing probably aren't related to HPV, since it’s mostly asymptomatic, and even when there are symptoms, they wouldn't look quite like yours.

I've already started applying some Johnson & Johnson cream on my own and it seems to be helping so far, though I suppose a full three-day course is needed to clear it up.

You apply the cream externally, unless it came with an applicator meant for internal use. As for the suppositories, you get three of them, and you're supposed to insert one every night before going to bed.

Nathan Baker Active Member

106 messages
joined Aug 2010

#15 · Dec 13, 2010

I’ve been sitting here thinking, just wondering what everyone else on this forum makes of this... I was digging through some medical literature recently, and I stumbled upon the idea that things like hepatitis could actually be transmitted through kissing. I’m not talking about anything explicit, just standard, old-fashioned kissing between partners—you know, 🙂 French kissing.

The problem is, the sources seem to be constantly tripping over one another; one study claims you can catch Hep B that way, but absolutely no chance of getting Hep C, while another source says the exact opposite.
It really makes me wonder: if it were actually possible to spread infections like that through a simple kiss, 🤷 how many people would be infected by now? Honestly, at this rate, I’ll be too terrified to even give someone a friendly peck on the cheek, let alone go for a real kiss before we’ve both cleared a full panel of STIs. It’s a pretty exhausting way to live, isn't it? 😠

What’s your take on all this?

casualheron3 Newcomer

4 messages
joined Dec 2010

#16 · Dec 16, 2010

Lisa Nelson70 said:I'm curious what everyone here thinks about this... I've been digging through some medical literature, and I keep running into claims that things like hepatitis can be transmitted through kissing. I'm not talking about anything extreme, just standard, deep kissing 🙂.

The problem is that the sources are totally inconsistent: one study claims you could catch Hep B that way, but definitely not Hep C, while another says the exact opposite.
It makes you wonder: if transmission were actually that easy, how many people would be infected by now 🤷? At this rate, I’ll be too paranoid to even give someone a friendly peck on the cheek, let alone a real kiss before they've cleared a full STI panel. That's a pretty exhausting way to live.😠

What's your take?

There’s some suspicion regarding Hepatitis C being transmissible that way, but not Hepatitis B. I've heard it mentioned and read a few papers, though nothing is ever truly definitive.
Most major health organizations state that for Hepatitis C to spread, there usually needs to be contact with infected blood—think sharing a toothbrush or silverware, for example.

Here is a link for reference: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/

Personally, I might be wary of kissing someone if they had actual Hepatitis C, but the odds seem incredibly low.

Henry Fisher6 Newcomer

1 message
joined Dec 2010

#17 · Dec 24, 2010

Here is a little guide that might come in handy,

remove link

Nathan Baker Active Member

106 messages
joined Aug 2010

#18 · Dec 24, 2010

Henry Fisher6 said:one helpful little manual,

Then why don't you actually follow it yourself? Honestly, you were already warned about posting such nonsense on this board. I’m genuinely surprised the mods haven't handed you a ban yet.

Samuel Morgan40 Active Member

178 messages
joined Mar 2010

#19 · Dec 24, 2010

Henry Fisher6 said:one helpful little handbook,

It seems you’re once again choosing to ignore the rules and the warnings. Your original handle, goran12, was banned for this exact same reason—so don't think you can just come here and spam this garbage. Hasta la Vista and Merry Christmas.

Patrick King7 Member

31 messages
joined Jan 2010

#20 · Dec 24, 2010

ruggedscout91 said:There were a few times I felt a spark with someone else and could have easily had an affair.
After weighing the morality and dreading how I'd feel afterward, I backed off—mostly out of fear regarding STIs.
My husband and I married when we were incredibly young; we were each other's first everything.
I think I'd be a fool to take that risk just because of a fleeting attraction. It isn't worth it.
Not when you're left wondering about HPV, HIV, and all that.
What do the rest of you think?
Do you sleep with them, pass, or just spend forever wondering "what if" only to regret it later?

My take: Respect. If more people thought like this, the world might actually be a better place. A bit late to the party on this thread, but seriously, props to you. I'm still out here looking for the right one, but no luck yet.🤷
Just keep doing what you're doing.

How to prevent STIs?

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