Misconception Mayhem: Separating STI Myths from Facts

by Stephanie

Ever feel like there’s a mass market for wrong information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? Do you leave a conversation with a friend or finish reading an article or website and wonder if what you’ve learned is the truth or one of those nasty myths? Just about any subject you’d hear about has them … and STIs are no exception. Now Scarleteen’s taking the time to debunk some of the most common misconceptions.

We believe that all sex should be something anyone chooses for themselves, based on sound, realistic information. In order to do this, it is vitally important to be able to distinguish between the facts and the myths about what is safe. All of us, at one point or another, has firmly believed that something is true or real, only to find out later that it just isn't anywhere close to the truth. Here we present some of the most common myths about STIs and STI transmission, and the truths lying behind them.

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MYTH: After oral sex – brushing your teeth will prevent STIs from developing.

FACT: Actually, most clinics and physicians suggest that the reality is the exact opposite. Oral sex is more of an STI risk for the person performing the act than the one receiving. Flossing or brushing right before or after may make your breath smell better but can also tear the lining of the mouth or gums increasing the potential exposure to any virus if present. Using condoms or dental dams is the best way to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections -- second to not engaging in oral sex at all.

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MYTH: Anyone with an STI can recognize the symptoms easily and know they need treatment.

FACT: Most sexually transmitted infections and diseases are actually "asymptomatic." This means that most often they do not show visible symptoms, and many of the symptoms that they would show if they do are ones that we can not notice easily. Some are accompanied by rashes or itchiness. Some will result in unusual genital discharges. But some people don't experience these symptoms and other STIs don’t show symptoms until the person has had the infection for quite some time, at which point even an otherwise benign infection may have serious, long-lasting symptoms. It’s important to be screened regularly once you begin having sex and to use protection with every new partner until you’ve both had two full clear STI screenings.

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MYTH: Condoms have small holes that allow disease, infection, and semen through.

FACT: Condoms do not have little holes that allow disease, infection, and semen through – but condoms alone are not 100% effective in preventing all STIs.

Condoms reduce the chance of most STI transfer by at least 70%, and do even better than that for fluid-borne infections -- those spread by fluids, not just contact -- like HIV or Chlamydia. STIs transmitted not through bodily fluids (such as semen, blood, or vaginal secretions), but rather skin to skin contact, have a higher risk of being transmitted even with condom or other latex barriers use because condoms don’t cover the entire genital area. HPV and herpes are transferred by skin to skin contact and can be transferred when there are no signs or symptoms present. Some people may ask what the point in using a condom is if you’re not fully protected, but aside from being tested regularly and having fewer sex partners’ condoms for vaginal, oral, and anal sex and dental dams for oral sex offer the only protection from STIs. Plus the chances of spreading herpes and HPV are reduced at a minimum of 50% with condom usage.

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MYTH: If I only engage in oral or manual sex, I can't contract a sexually transmitted infection.

FACT: STIs are called sexually transmitted infections because they are just what the name says, they’re infections that are most commonly passed or transmitted through sex of all kinds. Unprotected manual and oral sex carry with them their own risks for different types of STIs than can be passed or received. Oral sex for instance poses the risks of Chlamydia, Cytomegalovirus (cmv), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Herpes, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Syphilis. Manual sex poses the risks of Bacterial Vaginosis, Cytomegalovirus (cmv), Herpes, Human Papillomavirus (HPV, warts), pubic lice, and Scabies.

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MYTH: If you and your partner both have HIV there’s no need for condoms because you’ve both got it already.

FACT: HIV is an extremely variable virus that mutates or changes quite often. This means that there are many different strains of this same virus – and more than one can exist in the same person’s body at the same time. If you and your partner are both diagnosed with HIV it may not be the same strain so condoms are important to prevent cross infection. As well, other STIs spread if present can be much more difficult to fight off as the immune system is weakened by the virus – so for both partners to maintain the best possible health condoms are very important.

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MYTH: If you have intercourse in a pool then there’s no risk of getting an STI because the chlorine kills it.

FACT: Sexually transmitted infections – both those passed through sexual fluids and those passed by skin to skin contact can be transmitted in the water.

Hot tub and pool water alike does not kill or immobilize sperm when ejaculation occurs inside or on the genitals, so not only can STIs transfer in water but women can become pregnant through intercourse in the water as well. Water does wash away lubrication rather quickly, so vaginal intercourse can be uncomfortable, as can receptive anal intercourse for all genders, and condoms can break more easily.

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MYTH: It’s impossible to have more than one STI at a time.

FACT: It’s actually quite possible to have two or more sexually transmitted infections at the same time, and when a person has one STI, they're a lot more likely to be susceptible to others.

Just the same, it’s also possible to have more than one STI and not know about one or all of them because they’re asymptomatic. Additionally, after treatment for an STI, the infection can re-occur if you are re-exposed. Some STIs like HSV (herpes) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) have more than one strand so even if you have one strand you can be infected with another strand if a partner is infected with a different strand than you are.

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MYTH: You can only get herpes if you have sex when your partner has an outbreak.

FACT: Herpes in general contact can be spread through contact of any infected area of the body to an uninfected area of an uninfected person’s body – even by an infected person touching an infected area and then using that same hand to touch another person. While it’s most contagious when an active sore is present or about to appear, it can be spread when no sores are either visually obvious or perceived by the person with the sore. Sexually the infection can be passed through general touch, kissing, anal sex, oral sex, manual sex, or intercourse.

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MYTH: You can tell by looking at someone if they have an STI.

FACT: It’s always been a common belief that if someone has an STI you’ll be able to know by paying attention to the number of partners someone’s had, the way in which they dress, the way that they look, and how clean they are.T hese ideas are based on biases and not hard facts. Some STIs really don’t show a lot of visible outward symptoms, and because a partner may not be sure using protection is extremely important. There is no one type of person that catches STIs. Anyone who is sexually active can be at risk of getting or having an STI.

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MYTH: STIs don’t have any effects that last or may harm your health in the long run.

FACT: Many STIs can spread to other parts of your body if untreated. Additionally, if gone untreated for a long time (which can certainly happen if you’re not tested you may not show signs right away or at all) many STIs can cause long term damage and health problems. A lot of damage can be done to the reproductive organs and in the long run untreated STIs can cause people to become sterile.

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Misconception Mayhem: Separating STI Myths from Facts

by Stephanie

MYTH: After oral sex – brushing your teeth will prevent STIs from developing.

MYTH: Anyone with an STI can recognize the symptoms easily and know they need treatment.

MYTH: Condoms have small holes that allow disease, infection, and semen through.

MYTH: If I only engage in oral or manual sex, I can't contract a sexually transmitted infection.

MYTH: If you and your partner both have HIV there’s no need for condoms because you’ve both got it already.

MYTH: If you have intercourse in a pool then there’s no risk of getting an STI because the chlorine kills it.

MYTH: It’s impossible to have more than one STI at a time.

MYTH: You can only get herpes if you have sex when your partner has an outbreak.

MYTH: You can tell by looking at someone if they have an STI.

MYTH: STIs don’t have any effects that last or may harm your health in the long run.

Take a Look At the Scarleteen Misconception Series:

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