About the risk of sexually transmitted diseases

Laura is in her late twenties and already in her gynaecologist’s waiting room. “This time I came because my partner was cheating and he said he was protecting himself, but I don’t believe that because I know him! And of course we had unprotected sex because my partner doesn’t like using condoms. So I’m going to test it just to be sure and see if everything’s all right down there.”

Laura doesn’t think about divorcing her partner. But she doesn’t want to carry a sexually transmitted infection unnoticed. And there are many: trichomonads, chlamydia, genital herpes, syphilis, genital warts or other infections with resounding names. Then of course HIV. The problem: While the diseases are treatable, some infections cause few symptoms at first and are overlooked. As a result, they are unknowingly passed on to sexual partners. Precautionary testing makes sense, even if nothing itches, burns, or hurts.

A study from the Center for Population Research on Sexual Health and HIV in London warns against concealing risky sexual behavior from partners. It is only because unprotected intercourse and symptoms of the disease are so often hidden that sexually transmitted diseases can spread so widely among the population.

How to discuss this unpleasant topic? In the study, a young man from experience recommends: preferably directly and without accusations. “Every time I had an infection, I’d just call them up and say, ‘I have something to tell you. I have an infection and you need to see a doctor.” With changing partners it is therefore important to be open about the sometimes unpleasant consequences of sex. Otherwise, the old adage actually applies: trust is good, control is better.

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