Masturbation and STD Risk

[scaredguy321]

Dear Doctors,

Scenario:  Man and woman engage in mutual masturbation.  The ONLY physical contact between them is that the man ejaculates on the woman's vagina (presumably some of the ejaculate makes it into the vagina).  The STD risk for the man catching something from the woman is obviously zero, but please evaluate the risk to the woman for STDs (including HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and Syphillis).  Thank you so much.

[scaredguy321]

Thank you very much doctor.  That's very helpful.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

There is no STD risk from masturbation, hand-genital contact, fingering, etc.  However, there could be small risk for male to female STD transmission by ejaculating in the vaginal area (but not in the vagina).  Some pregnancies occur from such events, and logically some STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HIV) could be so transmitted.  But it is extremely unlikely -- low enough risk that I would not recommend testing if this were the woman's only potential risk for STDs.  The risk is even lower, probably zero risk, for the STDs transmitted by skin to skin contact (herpes, syphilis, HPV).

Of course all non-monogamous sexually active people should be tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV from time to time, like every few months to a year.  Assuming the woman in this event is sexually active in addition to this particular event, if she hasn't been tested recently, this might be a good time, when it's on her mind.  But not because of this exposure.

Regards--  HHH, MD