Worried I Might Have an STD

[shygirl456]

I made a really bad mistake and had unprotected oral sex and protected sex with two different partners in two weeks.  With the first parter, I went to the doctors the next day for blood tests for STDs which came back negative. I haven't gone to the doctor again for another blood test for STDs.

Two weeks later, I am currently on my period and experiencing a itching sensation around my vagina.  This started on the second day of my period.  I haven't had any other symptoms. It doesn't hurt when I urinate, and my period for the most part seems normal, no different order or discharge that I can see.

However, I don't know what this itching sensation is and I am really worried this might be a symptom of an STD.  If so, what could it be?

Please help!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Vaginal itching is a very non-specific symptom that can have many causes.  these  include local irritation due to rubbing or chaffing, chemical irritation form soaps, non-STD infections like fungal infections and, rarely by STDs.  As I also mentioned to you heightened awareness related to concerns can also be a cause. The only good way to address such a problem is to see a trained health care provider who can examine you and do tests that might be needed.

If your intercourse was condom protected, there is very, very little (virtually no) risk of STD, even if your partner happened to have an infection. EWH

[shygirl456]

Thank you.  I am still experiencing an itching sensation around my vagina.  The skin around the area is also very sore and tender.  Is this common for an STD?  

Also, I'm a little confused - even though I had protected intercourse, my risk of getting an STD is slim?  My partner had multiple partners and even though he said he was clean, he may not be showing any symptoms correct?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. I'll be please to try to help.  First, let me mention that protected genital sex is safe sex and dramatically reduces any risk you might have for getting STDs, if your partner(s) were infected (and most people do not have STD).

Second, you do not mention whether you gave or received oral sex.  Either way however, the risk of infection is rather low.  In general oral sex is an inefficient way to transmit STDs.  Of the bacterial STDs only gonorrhea is acquired through oral sex; chlamydia is not and without an obvious sore or lesion on your partner, the chances of syphilis and herpes is likewise tiny.   Even if your partner had an STD (any STD and it is likely he did not), most exposures do not lead to infection.  In your case, your exposure was brief; I would urge you not to worry.

Finally, blood tests are of little value for detecting the most common STDs   Rather sites of exposure should be tested, typically with swab tests.   You could go to your local STD clinic or health care provider to be tested at this time.  At that time they should test potential sites of exposure for infection whether or not you have symptoms (all STDs can be asymptomatic, as well as symptomatic).  In addition, directed evaluation of your itching, which could be due to any number of causes including heightened awareness following your exposure can be performed as well.  

I hope these comments are helpful. EWH