5 Common Myths About Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Because of widespread sex education, many young adults and teenagers no longer believe some of the misconceptions about sexually transmitted diseases. Of course, a few individuals are still unable to distinguish fact from fiction. Here is a list of common myths about sexually transmitted diseases, and the truth behind the lies.

Fiction:
1. You cannot get a sexually transmitted disease from oral sex.
Fact:
2. Sexually transmitted diseases are passed person-to-person through sexual contact. There are three different ways to engage in sex. These include vaginal intercourse, anal sex, and oral sex.

Fiction:
1. Oral contraception is a protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Fact:
2. Birth control pills or oral contraception’s have a single purpose – protecting against pregnancy. Some young girls believe that birth control pills may also decrease their chances of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. They are sadly mistaken. To protect against diseases, those engaging in sexual activity must take advantage of both birth control pills and condoms.

Fiction:
1. To pass herpes, an outbreak must have occurred.
Fact:
2. Herpes is contagious days preceding an outbreak or the development of sores. Even though most couples protect themselves with condoms, condoms may not necessarily provide protection against herpes. Why? This is because herpes outbreaks often occur on areas not covered by a condom. In this instance, the sexually transmitted disease is passed by skin-to-skin contact. If having sex with a person infected with the herpes virus, certain drugs are available to suppress outbreaks, and decrease your odds of also becoming infected with the virus.

Fiction:
1. If there are no symptoms, there’s no sexually transmitted disease.
Fact:
2. The majority of sexually transmitted diseases have no symptoms or mild symptoms. Moreover, some symptoms may be mistaken for other less serious conditions. For example, gonorrhea is often mistaken for a bladder infection.

Fiction:
1. All sexually transmitted diseases are curable.
Fact:
2. Sexually transmitted diseases caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, diseases caused by viral infections are incurable. Drugs are available to control viral infection, but they will always remain in the body. Viral sexually transmitted diseases include AIDS/HIV, herpes, and human pappilloma virus.