The stigma surrounding STIs is massive, and always has been. We’ve all either experienced first hand, or witnessed someone we know, go through the emotional rollercoaster that is contracting and dealing with an STI.
Fear, disgust, shame…they all come pouring in and we’re often left to feel like we’re permanently damaged. But the truth they don’t tell you about in sex ed is that STIs are very common. We mean VERY common. More than half of people in the U.S. will have an STI in their lifetime. The CDC estimates that there are 110 million STIs among men and women with 20 million new cases each year.
So instead of telling you the world will end if you get an STI, we’re going to focus on mitigating risk, staying prepared, what to look for, and how to go about treating yourself if you do get an STI.
How to identify an STI
This can be tricky, as many STIs are asymptomatic, which means you can have one and not know it, leading you to spread it without knowing it. The best way to identify an STI is to get tested regularly (doctors recommend twice a year). You can visit your local sexual health clinic. Or, for discreet delivery, you can use an at-home test (we got you!) or even use at-home tests.
Some common symptoms associated with STIs to lookout for include:
Vaginal or penile discharge
Small bumps, blisters, or sores
There are several overlapping STI symptoms, which makes it even more essential to get tested. This will help you determine which STI you have and the proper treatment for it.
The most common STIs
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
To learn more about each STI, visit the CDC.
How long do STIs last?
This is another tricky one, as STIs vary in their duration. Some can last for weeks, others months or a lifetime. The general bottom line is that while some STIs may go away over time, like HPV, that is not a guarantee, and most do not go away on their own. It is never advised to let a STI go untreated.
STIs like gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia can be treated and cured—depending on the stage. If left untreated, these may become irreversible . However, others, like herpes and HIV, have no cure. This may seem daunting, but there are medications and treatments that can help you manage outbreaks and symptoms, allowing you to live a healthy life. STIs, like herpes, are managed when symptoms arise, however, others, like HIV, involve daily treatments.
Beyond how long they last, it’s important to know how long it takes for STIs to become active. Many STIs have an incubation period, meaning they don’t just pop up minutes after sex—it takes time. Commonly, incubation periods can be between several days to weeks, even months.
Once you discover you have an STI, it’s crucial to get treated immediately. Prolonging treatment can lead to more serious health issues and cause long-term damage, like fertility issues. Again, because many STIs are asymptomatic, getting tested regularly is essential.
STIs and gender
While men, women, and people of all genders get STIs, they do impact anatomy differently. Check out these quick facts from the CDC:
Because the lining of the vagina is a different type of tissue than that of a penis, it’s easier for bacteria and viruses to penetrate, meaning people with vaginas have a higher risk for contracting STIs.
People with vaginas are less likely to have symptoms of common STIs (like gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia).
People with vaginas are more likely to confuse an STI with normal bodily functions. For example, vaginas produce discharge regularly, while penises don’t, so they notice this symptom right away. Other issues, like yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis, can also cause confusion due to discharge.
People with vaginas may not see symptoms as easily as men. If a person with a penis contracts genital herpes, it occurs on the outside of the penis, where it’s visible. People with vaginas can get herpes inside the vagina, where it’s less noticeable.
STIs can lead to serious health and fertility complications for people with vaginas. Untreated STIs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease which can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
Pregnant people with vaginas can pass STIs to their babies, which can cause serious health issues including, still birth, brain damage, or low birth weight.
HPV is the most common STI in people with vaginas, and while those with penises can also get it, they rarely develop serious health problems, whereas HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer.
Normalizing STIs
There’s no doubt STIs can be scary, but the truth is they are as common as a cold. It’s important to start breaking down the stigmas that surround them to allow for a more open and communicative approach to dealing with them.
If at some point you get an STI, be open with your partner about it so they can test themselves. If you have a lifelong STI, like genital herpes or HIV, talk to your partner about it before engaging in sexual activity so they’re aware and can take action to protect themselves.
It may feel uncomfortable, but anyone who would judge you for having an STI is probably not the right partner anyway. Remember: millions of people get STIs every year. This is a normal part of having a sex life.
Preventing STIs
There are a lot of contraceptives out there, but the only ones that protect against STIs are condoms and internal condoms (FC2). Scream it from the rooftops: Birth Control pills do not prevent STIs.
To have the safest sex possible, stock up on condoms so you can be prepared when the moment strikes. Have an account with The Pill Club? Sign in and add condoms or FC2 (internal condoms) to your next shipment.