5 Myths About STIs

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are illnesses that impact your sexual and reproductive well-being and can have alarming consequences for your overall health. They are also commonly called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and venereal disease (VD).

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 million new sexually transmitted diseases occur every day. Four of those diseases — chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis — are responsible for 376 million infections each year. 

At Grassroots Healthcare, our internal medicine physician, Dr. Melita Tate, specializes in confidential STD testing. She’s passionate about education and prevention to help you optimize your health. Through the years, she’s heard a lot of misinformation about STDs. Here she dispels five common myths.

Myth #1: You can see an STD if your partner has one

The facts: While common symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection include vaginal discharge, sores around your genitals, painful intercourse, and itchiness, you or your partner can have and transmit an STD without exhibiting any signs or symptoms at all. That’s why testing is so important.

Myth #2: You can’t get an STD if you only have oral sex

The facts: STDs are easily spread through all forms of sex: vaginal, anal, and oral. The infections are caused by bacteria or a virus that can enter your body through tiny cuts or tears in your skin and mucous membranes. 

Myth #3: A condom protects you from getting an STD

A condom can help lower your risk, but it’s not foolproof. Because they don’t always completely cover infected areas or they can rip or break, don’t count on a condom for protection from an STD. 

Myth #4: You can get an STD from a public toilet

The facts: Thankfully, this is simply untrue. STDs require a warm body to live and will die outside of that environment. While it’s important to have good hygiene, especially in public restrooms, sexually transmitted diseases are spread from person-to-person contact and not from toilets or other surfaces.

Myth #5: An STD resolves on its own

The facts: Unfortunately, most STDs will not go away on their own. There are long-term side effects and health risks that accompany STDs, so be sure to seek treatment at our state-of-the-art clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

For comprehensive testing to learn if you or your partner have an STD, or for treatment, turn to our knowledgeable and caring team at Grassroots Healthcare. Call for an appointment or book online.