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HIV Prevention (Expert Forum)
Fingering during Menstruation
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
This forum is limited to prevention of HIV and to safe sex in general. If you believe you might have been exposed to HIV and want help to judge your risk, would like advice about HIV testing, or have questions about the effectiveness of condoms or the risks associated with specific sexual practices, this is the site for you.
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No questions will be accepted on the treatment of HIV/AIDS or its complications, viral load, and similar topics. If you have questions about a specific STD other than HIV/AIDS, please visit the STD Forum. Questions that do not pertain to the above topics will be removed from the forum.
If you have not done so, please review other threads in our archives for questions similar to yours and Dr. Handsfield's replies. Questions that duplicate other frequent ones, for which abundant replies exist, and that have little educational value for other forum users, will be DELETED WITHOUT RESPONSE. YOUR PAYMENT WILL NOT BE REFUNDED. The most common examples of such questions are those about low risk exposures to HIV, such as oral sex, condom- protected intercourse hand-to-genital exposure, and nonsexual contact with possibly infected blood or body fluids as well as symptoms of early HIV infection.
Fingering during Menstruation
by namenone, Jul 08, 2008 01:54PM
Dear Doctor -
I was on holiday in Croatia almost 2 years ago, and engaged in 2 acts with a local male (I am female) that I did not know, and am concerned if I should have an HIV test.
First, the guy did finger me. I am concerned because I was at the end of my menstruation cycle, and most likely (actually most certainly) his fingers came in contact with my blood - even if a tiny amount. I know this would increase the risk of a very low to no risk activity like fingering. I do not recall him having any cuts on his fingers, but no way for me to know for sure. Second, he performed oral sex on me - this was very brief - maybe 20/30 seconds if not less. It was very quick. Also, it is possible that his genitals may have touched my buttocks, as at one point he was standing behind me and may have been touching himself with one hand, as he was fingering me with the other. But we did not engage in penetrative sex, and he did not enter me at any time.
I researched on the internet and have seen there is little to no risk with fingering, and oral sex is very low risk. I also searched the archives, and did not see anything commenting on the additional risk factor of menstruation blood. Additionally, I have considered that the city (Dubrovnik) in Croatia I visited has very low spread of HIV infection.
I am just very concerned because I was on my period (even if at the end of it). I have not seen any information on the risks of fingering during menstruation.
At the time this happen, I was a virgin - never engaged in penetrative sex - vaginal nor anal.
Questions -
1) Based solely on what I engaged in per the above, should I be tested? The anxiety is getting to me, and not sure if I am just worrying for nothing.
2) Was I at risk at being fingered (or mutual masterbation) during menstruation?
3) I also considered doing a take home saliva test just for peace of mind, are those accurate? Would you recommend that?
Appreciate your advice. Thank you.
I was on holiday in Croatia almost 2 years ago, and engaged in 2 acts with a local male (I am female) that I did not know, and am concerned if I should have an HIV test.
First, the guy did finger me. I am concerned because I was at the end of my menstruation cycle, and most likely (actually most certainly) his fingers came in contact with my blood - even if a tiny amount. I know this would increase the risk of a very low to no risk activity like fingering. I do not recall him having any cuts on his fingers, but no way for me to know for sure. Second, he performed oral sex on me - this was very brief - maybe 20/30 seconds if not less. It was very quick. Also, it is possible that his genitals may have touched my buttocks, as at one point he was standing behind me and may have been touching himself with one hand, as he was fingering me with the other. But we did not engage in penetrative sex, and he did not enter me at any time.
I researched on the internet and have seen there is little to no risk with fingering, and oral sex is very low risk. I also searched the archives, and did not see anything commenting on the additional risk factor of menstruation blood. Additionally, I have considered that the city (Dubrovnik) in Croatia I visited has very low spread of HIV infection.
I am just very concerned because I was on my period (even if at the end of it). I have not seen any information on the risks of fingering during menstruation.
At the time this happen, I was a virgin - never engaged in penetrative sex - vaginal nor anal.
Questions -
1) Based solely on what I engaged in per the above, should I be tested? The anxiety is getting to me, and not sure if I am just worrying for nothing.
2) Was I at risk at being fingered (or mutual masterbation) during menstruation?
3) I also considered doing a take home saliva test just for peace of mind, are those accurate? Would you recommend that?
Appreciate your advice. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Jul 08, 2008 04:29PM
, Jul 08, 2008 04:29PM
Reading between the lines of your note, I find myself wondering why it is that you seem to have become concerned at this relatively late date following you exposure. Irrespective, you risk is quite low. As your research has already indicated, your exposures were safe sex and the combination of no penetration and brief receipt of oral sex from a partner of unknown status in a low prevalence setting make it most unlikely that you acquired HIV. In fact, your risk is so low that I think there is no reason for you to be tested, other than perhaps for your own piece of mind.
As for the issue of your menstrual blood, this does not change your risk, nor does that you were menstruating make you more vulnerable. The blood forming menstrual flow is coming from dead endometrial tissue and, because "healing" has already started, there is no "open" place for the virus to be introduced, even if you were exposed.
If you choose to be tested, please realize that it is only for your piece of mind and that the oral fluid tests are just as sensitive as the blood tests. Hope this helps. EWH
As for the issue of your menstrual blood, this does not change your risk, nor does that you were menstruating make you more vulnerable. The blood forming menstrual flow is coming from dead endometrial tissue and, because "healing" has already started, there is no "open" place for the virus to be introduced, even if you were exposed.
If you choose to be tested, please realize that it is only for your piece of mind and that the oral fluid tests are just as sensitive as the blood tests. Hope this helps. EWH
