Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community  

Go Back   Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community > The Academy > Tilted Sexuality


 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 09-22-2008, 07:14 PM   #1 (permalink)
Addict
 
soma's Avatar
 
Location: USA
Avoiding STDs

My dad and I had a conversation about STDs and it really freaked me out. I've been seeing this girl for about a week now and we'll probably sleep together pretty soon. I lost my virginity this past summer and haven't given STDs a thought, but now I'm all paranoid. What's the best way to protect myself from getting an STD while still being able to enjoy the pleasures of sex? What does everyone here do to stay safe?
__________________
Having Girl Problems?
soma is offline  
Old 09-22-2008, 07:19 PM   #2 (permalink)
Tilted Cat Head
 
Cynthetiq's Avatar
 
Administrator
Location: Manhattan, NY
dental dams and condoms.
__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.
Cynthetiq is offline  
Old 09-22-2008, 07:34 PM   #3 (permalink)
Future Bureaucrat
 
KirStang's Avatar
 
Wear a condom. Get Tested. I've had a lot of scares....but I've also taken risks I shouldn't have. Eitherway, be careful and good luck.
KirStang is offline  
Old 09-22-2008, 07:39 PM   #4 (permalink)
Americow, the Beautiful
 
Supple Cow's Avatar
 
Location: Washington, D.C.
Well, sad to say that there are things you can get even with condoms as long as your skin touches down there, and women often run into other non-STD issues down there from having "safe" sex, like UTIs and yeast infections. I'm not exactly an advocate for abstinence only education, but there truly is no 100% safe (from STD) sex unless you are both new to sex (including oral and other kinds of sexual physical contact). I don't think that health educators stress than nearly enough. That said, the decision to have sex is something you two should make together, but that you should also each consider on your own. What IF you got something from this girl? How would you feel? It all depends on the level of risk you are comfortable accepting, and if you're having sex, that level of risk is never zero.

But Cyn also makes a good point - condoms and dental dams go a long way in protecting you when you take the plunge.
__________________
"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
(Michael Jordan)
Supple Cow is offline  
Old 09-23-2008, 03:45 AM   #5 (permalink)
Addict
 
soma's Avatar
 
Location: USA
Thanks for all of the advice so far. I've been reading a lot and it seems like, yeah, the fluids getting on your skin can be bad. Has anyone here done something like taken a shower right after having sex and scrubbing the hell out of the areas that might have your partners fluids on?
__________________
Having Girl Problems?
soma is offline  
Old 09-23-2008, 03:53 AM   #6 (permalink)
 
abaya's Avatar
 
Location: Iceland
No matter what, as long as you are having sex, you are going to be at risk (again, unless both of you are virgins, no contact with others, etc). It doesn't mean you are going to die from getting something like HPV, which something like 80% of sexually active women have (mostly because men are carriers and there is no test for males, other than if they have an outbreak)... but the risk is always, always there.
__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

--Khalil Gibran
abaya is offline  
Old 09-25-2008, 11:58 AM   #7 (permalink)
Junkie
 
Location: My head.
Quote:
Originally Posted by abaya View Post
No matter what, as long as you are having sex, you are going to be at risk (again, unless both of you are virgins, no contact with others, etc). It doesn't mean you are going to die from getting something like HPV, which something like 80% of sexually active women have (mostly because men are carriers and there is no test for males, other than if they have an outbreak)... but the risk is always, always there.
Really?? I didnt know that!! Theres no test for men?? And you can get it even while using protection???
Xerxys is offline  
Old 09-25-2008, 12:08 PM   #8 (permalink)
zomgomgomgomgomgomg
 
telekinetic's Avatar
 
Location: Fauxenix, Azerona
Quote:
Originally Posted by soma View Post
Thanks for all of the advice so far. I've been reading a lot and it seems like, yeah, the fluids getting on your skin can be bad. Has anyone here done something like taken a shower right after having sex and scrubbing the hell out of the areas that might have your partners fluids on?
Although showers are a good idea for cleanliness reasons, they will not prevent STD's, regardless of how vigorously you scrub.

My advice is go forth with condoms, dental dams, and the knowledge you're rolling the dice.
telekinetic is offline  
Old 09-25-2008, 12:42 PM   #9 (permalink)
Addict
 
curiousbear's Avatar
 
Location: WA
also watch out with whom you can and with whom cannot afford to risk...
curiousbear is offline  
Old 09-25-2008, 12:58 PM   #10 (permalink)
Here
 
World's King's Avatar
 
Location: Denver City Denver
I can't think of a single good joke for this thread. Fuck.


[EDIT]


Got it.



"Stay away from Willravel."
__________________
heavy is the head that wears the crown

Last edited by World's King; 09-25-2008 at 01:38 PM..
World's King is offline  
Old 09-25-2008, 02:39 PM   #11 (permalink)
Junkie
 
james t kirk's Avatar
 
Location: Toronto
There's a lot of misinformation on this thread.

First off, there's no such thing as "Safe Sex", there's only "Safer Sex". Condoms are good for preventing spreading of syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, etc.

Condoms are marginal at preventing herpes and HPV.

As to using Dental Dams, well, if it's that bad, better just forget having sex at all. But whle you're at it, you'd better not walk down the street - you might get run over by a car, or attacked by wolves (it could happen!)

As to HPV - warts, as stated 80% of the population carries the virus. I don't know who said there is no test for men. If there is wart on your penis - that's HPV. Yes, you can still carry it with no outward signs - but this applies to both men and women.

I would suggest that you read the facts in this site:

Hassle Free Clinic: Site map

Hassle Free is the STD clinic of choice in Toronto for STD testing and treatments. It's in the heart of the Gay Village and caters to everyone. Given that Toronto has the second highest gay population in North America (next to San Francisco), they've seen it all.
james t kirk is offline  
Old 09-25-2008, 03:06 PM   #12 (permalink)
immoral minority
 
ASU2003's Avatar
 
Location: Back in Ohio
Quote:
Originally Posted by World's King View Post
Got it.


"Stay away from Willravel."
That's funny.

I'm an example of the person abaya is talking about. I've had no contact with anyone in any form.
ASU2003 is offline  
Old 09-25-2008, 03:15 PM   #13 (permalink)
 
abaya's Avatar
 
Location: Iceland
Quote:
Originally Posted by james t kirk View Post
As to HPV - warts, as stated 80% of the population carries the virus. I don't know who said there is no test for men. If there is wart on your penis - that's HPV. Yes, you can still carry it with no outward signs - but this applies to both men and women.
Women get tested for HPV at every annual exam--that's part of the reason we have the whole pap smear thing, regardless of whether we exhibit outward signs or not. Do men have something similar? Last I heard, the only evidence for HPV in men is when they break out. Otherwise, there is no way to tell if a man is carrying it. And yes, xerxes, you can most definitely get it while using protection. Any skin-to-skin contact in the genital area can transmit it. Basically, you'd need to have a condom that had a massive base that covered your entire genital area to be "protected" from it... but of course, those aren't really available.
__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

--Khalil Gibran
abaya is offline  
Old 09-25-2008, 05:05 PM   #14 (permalink)
The Worst Influence
 
cadre's Avatar
 
Location: Arizona
The only way to completely avoid STDs is to not have sex. Same thing with pregnancies, all you can do is understand the risk you're taking and do what you can to protect yourself.

Needless to say accidents happen, and if you don't have medical insurance it can get expensive. I'm due for a set of tests and it looks like it's gonna cost me at least 80 dollars just to get the basic tests.
__________________
My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.
cadre is offline  
Old 09-25-2008, 10:52 PM   #15 (permalink)
Young Crumudgeon
 
Martian's Avatar
 
Location: Canada
The horse is bloated and stiff, but I'll get my hits in anyway.

STDs and pregnancies are the two reasons that sex is a Big Deal. The act itself is a lot of fun, but there's no choir of angels from on high. The consequences can be a major bringdown, but so long as you're safe the risk is minimal.

I'd be a hypocrite if I told you not to have sex, and I think that's kind of stupid anyway. Everything you do in life can be boiled down to risk management. Know the risks. Understand the risks. Proceed with caution. Do your thing.

World's King, I'm disappointed that it took you nearly an hour to come up with that. You're slipping.
__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame
Martian is offline  
Old 09-26-2008, 07:04 AM   #16 (permalink)
MSD
The sky calls to us ...
 
MSD's Avatar
 
Super Moderator
Location: CT
I cleanse my penis with the holy flame while reciting the ancient incantations that prevent and cure disease, then meditate inside a ring of candles under the full moon and let the sacred music drive the evil spirits out of my body.

Oh, and it can't hurt to use condoms, either.
MSD is offline  
Old 09-26-2008, 11:21 AM   #17 (permalink)
Junkie
 
james t kirk's Avatar
 
Location: Toronto
Quote:
Originally Posted by abaya View Post
Women get tested for HPV at every annual exam--that's part of the reason we have the whole pap smear thing, regardless of whether we exhibit outward signs or not. Do men have something similar? Last I heard, the only evidence for HPV in men is when they break out. Otherwise, there is no way to tell if a man is carrying it. And yes, xerxes, you can most definitely get it while using protection. Any skin-to-skin contact in the genital area can transmit it. Basically, you'd need to have a condom that had a massive base that covered your entire genital area to be "protected" from it... but of course, those aren't really available.
Everything you wanted to know about HPV...

What is HPV? HPV FAQs - theHPVtest.com



Everything you wanted to know about HPV in men..

FAQs for Men - theHPVtest.com
james t kirk is offline  
Old 09-26-2008, 11:51 AM   #18 (permalink)
Junkie
 
Jozrael's Avatar
 
I'd just like to say Xerxes' avatar seemed a perfect expression for his question. I was lol'ing.
Jozrael is offline  
Old 09-26-2008, 12:06 PM   #19 (permalink)
 
abaya's Avatar
 
Location: Iceland
Quote:
Originally Posted by james t kirk View Post
Everything you wanted to know about HPV in men..

FAQs for Men - theHPVtest.com
And indeed, it confirmed everything I said. Including this part:
Quote:
There is currently no FDA-approved test to detect HPV in men. That is because an effective, reliable way to collect a sample of male genital skin cells, which would allow detection of HPV, has yet to be developed. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises men that they don't need to be worried about the lack of an HPV test for them. The agency states that "there is no clear health benefit to knowing if men have this virus, since HPV is unlikely to affect their health and cannot be treated. For most men, there would be no need to treat HPV, even if treatment were available, since it usually goes away on its own."
Quote:
[Condoms protect against most sexually transmitted infections, including HPV. However, they do not provide complete protection against HPV, since they do not cover all genital skin.]
__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

--Khalil Gibran
abaya is offline  
Old 09-26-2008, 12:12 PM   #20 (permalink)
zomgomgomgomgomgomg
 
telekinetic's Avatar
 
Location: Fauxenix, Azerona
Quote:
There is currently no FDA-approved test to detect HPV in men. That is because an effective, reliable way to collect a sample of male genital skin cells


TADA!
telekinetic is offline  
Old 09-26-2008, 02:14 PM   #21 (permalink)
Here
 
World's King's Avatar
 
Location: Denver City Denver
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martian View Post
World's King, I'm disappointed that it took you nearly an hour to come up with that. You're slipping.
No. It took me an hour to decide if I wanted to use willravel or you.
__________________
heavy is the head that wears the crown
World's King is offline  
Old 09-26-2008, 09:40 PM   #22 (permalink)
After School Special Moralist
 
Location: Large City, Texas.
Quote:
Originally Posted by twistedmosaic View Post


TADA!
LMAO!
__________________
In a society where the individual is not free to pursue the truth...there is neither progress, stability nor security.--Edward R. Murrow
Anormalguy is offline  
Old 09-26-2008, 09:44 PM   #23 (permalink)
Tilted
 
Makedde's Avatar
 
Location: Australia
Quote:
Originally Posted by soma View Post
My dad and I had a conversation about STDs and it really freaked me out. I've been seeing this girl for about a week now and we'll probably sleep together pretty soon. I lost my virginity this past summer and haven't given STDs a thought, but now I'm all paranoid. What's the best way to protect myself from getting an STD while still being able to enjoy the pleasures of sex? What does everyone here do to stay safe?
Use condoms, first and foremost. Not only will they protect you from STD's, they'll also keep those little swimmers from making their way to her womb.
__________________
Sun flames and moons glow, timeless the tides will flow, what will I face, what will be mine, fortune and fate the other side...
Makedde is offline  
Old 09-27-2008, 11:27 AM   #24 (permalink)
Leaning against the -Sun-
 
little_tippler's Avatar
 
Super Moderator
Location: on the other side
Quote:
Originally Posted by abaya View Post
Women get tested for HPV at every annual exam--that's part of the reason we have the whole pap smear thing, regardless of whether we exhibit outward signs or not. Do men have something similar? Last I heard, the only evidence for HPV in men is when they break out. Otherwise, there is no way to tell if a man is carrying it. And yes, xerxes, you can most definitely get it while using protection. Any skin-to-skin contact in the genital area can transmit it. Basically, you'd need to have a condom that had a massive base that covered your entire genital area to be "protected" from it... but of course, those aren't really available.
Ok, the test that some women get every year for HPV only tests for a small area of the genitals, which is near the cervical area. It's also not a test for HPV exactly, it's a test for any abnormally developing cells. So it's not a guarantee. That being said, having HPV is not as terrible as that because 80% of the population do carry it. From the day you start having sex it's highly likely you've exchanged HPV strains with sexual partners, though the ones you have to be wary of are strains 16 and 18 (associated with cervical cancer). Less agressive strains tend to show up mainly externally (if at all) and can cause maybe a handful of warts that can just be lasered or frozen off. Usually with these strains you can have symptoms once and then never again, though the virus will still be present in your body. There are plenty of viral infections that people exchange all through their lives but don't ever have symptoms of. It's actually quite a normal part of life.

The STD's people should be most scared of are HIV, of course, because there is no bullet-proof cure for it, and those that affect fertility or any other function of your body irreversibly, IMO. Most others are treatable, though of course it sucks to get any. For most sexually active women, STD related ailments such as UTI's are a regular part of life.
__________________
Whether we write or speak or do but look
We are ever unapparent. What we are
Cannot be transfused into word or book.
Our soul from us is infinitely far.
However much we give our thoughts the will
To be our soul and gesture it abroad,
Our hearts are incommunicable still.
In what we show ourselves we are ignored.
The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged
By any skill of thought or trick of seeming.
Unto our very selves we are abridged
When we would utter to our thought our being.
We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams,
And each to each other dreams of others' dreams.


Fernando Pessoa, 1918
little_tippler is offline  
Old 09-27-2008, 11:24 PM   #25 (permalink)
Junkie
 
Location: My head.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozrael View Post
I'd just like to say Xerxes' avatar seemed a perfect expression for his question. I was lol'ing.
...........ok, so, that avatar will go away as soon as I get something suitable for my mood, .................
Xerxys is offline  
Old 09-28-2008, 05:11 AM   #26 (permalink)
 
abaya's Avatar
 
Location: Iceland
Quote:
Originally Posted by little_tippler View Post
Ok, the test that some women get every year for HPV only tests for a small area of the genitals, which is near the cervical area. It's also not a test for HPV exactly, it's a test for any abnormally developing cells. So it's not a guarantee. That being said, having HPV is not as terrible as that because 80% of the population do carry it. From the day you start having sex it's highly likely you've exchanged HPV strains with sexual partners, though the ones you have to be wary of are strains 16 and 18 (associated with cervical cancer). Less agressive strains tend to show up mainly externally (if at all) and can cause maybe a handful of warts that can just be lasered or frozen off. Usually with these strains you can have symptoms once and then never again, though the virus will still be present in your body. There are plenty of viral infections that people exchange all through their lives but don't ever have symptoms of. It's actually quite a normal part of life.
Thanks tippler. I did go through this myself... I had HPV (or still have it, who knows--though I've had 2 years straight of clear paps, finally). That's why I've been posting all this stuff. Even though HPV is becoming normalized, I still think it can present serious dangers in terms of cervical cancer, and it should not be shrugged off or minimized. I had intimate contact with 2 people prior to my husband, and I got HPV from one of those 2. I sincerely regret being intimately involved with both of those people, because of that fact. I think it is seriously unfair to women that there is no real HPV test for men.
Quote:
Originally Posted by little_tippler
For most sexually active women, STD related ailments such as UTI's are a regular part of life.
Hold up... UTI's are not always related to STD's. They happen when bacteria from the anus gets mixed up in the urethral track, which can happen with any kind of sex (or just wiping the wrong direction). That's why it's so important to pee within 10 minutes of having sexual intercourse, to get the bacteria out of the urethra. Women with STD's already might have an increased level of UTI's, but UTI's in themselves are not always caused by STD's. Urinary tract infection (UTI): Causes - MayoClinic.com
__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

--Khalil Gibran
abaya is offline  
Old 10-11-2008, 07:24 PM   #27 (permalink)
Upright
 
Caracala's Avatar
 
Ouch, ouch, ouch to that grater up there!! Haha!
Caracala is offline  
 

Tags
avoiding, stds


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:38 AM.

Tilted Forum Project

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2
© 2002-2012 Tilted Forum Project

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360