Myths, misconceptions and misinformation are all rife when it comes to STIs! Knowing what’s fact and what’s fiction could be the fine line between contracting an STI and narrowly avoiding one.
Chappie has put together some essential myth-busting advice below (you can thank me with a G and T later chaps)!
#1 “Getting tested for an STI is painful”
Have no fear chaps. Because the vast majority of the time, getting tested for an STI is as easy as giving a urine sample or undergoing a quick visual examination. You will NOT have to endure things being poked up your penis and if the nurse or doctor needs you to leave a swab, they’ll often give you the option of carrying this out yourself. What’s more, never be embarrassed or afraid of judgement when going to a medical professional for advice and support.
Apart from having seen ample penises, vaginas, derrières – the whole shooting match – their job is to be compassionate and restore a little order and calm in what can be an anxious time for patients.
#2 “STIs will go away on their own”
If you retain any of my wafflings on STIs and sexual health during your read of this blog, then please let it be this! I say this because the belief that STIs will just vanish into the ether on their own not only puts you at risk but anyone else you frolic with thereafter.
STIs do NOT simply disappear and putting off having treatment won’t do your mental health any favours either. Besides, you don’t deserve to be worrying for weeks on end, wondering if you’ve got one or not – life is too short chaps, far too short! Addressing any “hmm that doesn’t look right” instincts means you won’t spread anything unwanted around to other sexual partners and your health won’t be at risk.
Feel you might need to get tested? Walk-in clinics offer same-day and walk-in appointments (as the name suggests!) with early and late appointments to suit you. They’re totally confidential chaps and take it from me when I say, you’ll feel a weight lifted off your shoulders once you’ve addressed any problems and put a stop to them getting worse.
#3 “I don’t need to worry about STIs because treatments are so efficient these days”
Chaps I have to be honest, if you have this nonchalant attitude to STIs, you shouldn’t be having sex! Unfortunately, there are people out there with this mindset – I can tell you it’s not going to do you any favours.
We all have different bodies that work in different ways – that’s what makes us all wonderfully unique! But what this also means is that no-one can predict how your body might react to contracting an STI – your immune system might differ from your fellow chap’s next door. Bottom line – it’s not worth risking it.
Alas, certain STIs like gonorrhoea are becoming resistant to antibiotics and could end up being more difficult to get rid of than at present.
These aren’t the only common myths surrounding STIs… If you want to go ahead and do some more research, The Independent has got you covered with some additional misconceptions that circulate about STIs. There is no such thing as too much research when it comes to sexual health chaps! Until next time.