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General STDs
I had sex for the first time two days ago with a good friend. We were drunk, but used a condom (we did it several times). I am really paranoid and took emergency contraception despite using protection, and it was the last day of my period so ovulation is unlikely. My question is, what risk am I running for contracting an STD, any STD? He had no visible symptoms. I am Gardisil vaccinated. Also, what is my risk for pregnancy?
Also, I have read a lot of information on-line which all seems to be equally alarmist, and your posting is pretty much the sole reason for my current sanity. Could you quantify my percentage chance of contraction so that I can get an idea of how unlikely it is? It was a single sexual encounter but we had sex many times.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Glad to have helped. I do hope you'll get onto proper contraception. Please don't make the mistake of telling yourself this won't happen again. When people start having sex, the large majority continue -- and most unwanted pregnancies occur when sex isn't planned ahead of time.
Happy holidays.
Happy holidays.
Thank you, that was very reassuring. My dad is an MD and has indoctrinated me with a seemingly alarmist view-point of STDs. I just really regret this sexual experience and don't know much about my partner's sexual history, despite knowing him for years. Thank you for your response, I feel much better.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum. I'll try to help.
You are overreacting about STDs. Your hyper-elevated fear of STD also was apparent in your question that Dr. Hook answered last September. I suspect that, like a lot of young people these days, you have gained an inaccurate perception of how frequent STDs are because of the kind of sex education you received in school, or perhaps from other sources. And you are overly concerned about pregnancy as well, perhaps for the same reason. (I'm just guessing here. But such biased education is very common, especially in socially and relgiously conservative communities.)
The truth is that although nobody can guarantee a life free of all STDs, the likelihood of being infected is very low for any particular sexual encounter. Many people have a hundred or more sex partners over several years and never catch an STD (except HPV, which everybody gets at one time or anohter).
And you are entering your sex life in a responsible way that will further keep your risks low. First, you know your partner. It's quick pick-ups that bring the risks. People who get to know their partners ahead of time usually are at low risk. Obviously this isn't fool proof, but it's important. Avoid future temptations to hop in the sack with a cute guy you meet the same evening.
Second, you used condoms. They really do work! Condoms aren't perfect, but they do keep most people safe.
Third, congragulations on having been immunized with Gardasil. You are largely protected from cancer-causing HPV and nearly completely against genital warts.
So all things considered, I see no serious risks for any STD at this point. Your risk is not high enough to need testing at this time. If you remain sexually active, then just plan on getting tested once a year for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. (Of course also get tested if you develop STD symptoms, like abnormal discharge from your vagina or genital sores.)
So congratulations on a level headed approach to sexuality and to sexual safety. You're doing everything right. Keep it up and don't be so worried about STDs.
As for pregnancy risk, this is not my area of expertise. But the chance must be very nearly zero. With both condom protection plus not being mid-cycle, I don't really think emergency contraceptions was necessary. However, it is really dumb to rely only on condoms for contraception. There will come times when you decide to have sex at times you are fertile (and the rhythm method doesn't work anyway), and condoms sometimes break. You definitely need to be on regular contraception, i.e. the pill or implant, or an IUD. Please visit your primary care provider, Planned Parenthood, or your local health department reproductive health clinic. Do it this week -- consider it a Christmas present to yourself!
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You are overreacting about STDs. Your hyper-elevated fear of STD also was apparent in your question that Dr. Hook answered last September. I suspect that, like a lot of young people these days, you have gained an inaccurate perception of how frequent STDs are because of the kind of sex education you received in school, or perhaps from other sources. And you are overly concerned about pregnancy as well, perhaps for the same reason. (I'm just guessing here. But such biased education is very common, especially in socially and relgiously conservative communities.)
The truth is that although nobody can guarantee a life free of all STDs, the likelihood of being infected is very low for any particular sexual encounter. Many people have a hundred or more sex partners over several years and never catch an STD (except HPV, which everybody gets at one time or anohter).
And you are entering your sex life in a responsible way that will further keep your risks low. First, you know your partner. It's quick pick-ups that bring the risks. People who get to know their partners ahead of time usually are at low risk. Obviously this isn't fool proof, but it's important. Avoid future temptations to hop in the sack with a cute guy you meet the same evening.
Second, you used condoms. They really do work! Condoms aren't perfect, but they do keep most people safe.
Third, congragulations on having been immunized with Gardasil. You are largely protected from cancer-causing HPV and nearly completely against genital warts.
So all things considered, I see no serious risks for any STD at this point. Your risk is not high enough to need testing at this time. If you remain sexually active, then just plan on getting tested once a year for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. (Of course also get tested if you develop STD symptoms, like abnormal discharge from your vagina or genital sores.)
So congratulations on a level headed approach to sexuality and to sexual safety. You're doing everything right. Keep it up and don't be so worried about STDs.
As for pregnancy risk, this is not my area of expertise. But the chance must be very nearly zero. With both condom protection plus not being mid-cycle, I don't really think emergency contraceptions was necessary. However, it is really dumb to rely only on condoms for contraception. There will come times when you decide to have sex at times you are fertile (and the rhythm method doesn't work anyway), and condoms sometimes break. You definitely need to be on regular contraception, i.e. the pill or implant, or an IUD. Please visit your primary care provider, Planned Parenthood, or your local health department reproductive health clinic. Do it this week -- consider it a Christmas present to yourself!
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
