• Can I get an STI by open-mouth kissing?
• If my partner has an STI, doesn’t that mean she was cheating on me?
• Can I get HIV from oral sex with a prostitute?
• Do condoms protect against all STIs?
• Once you’ve had an STI, you can’t catch it again.
• Won't I know if I have an STI?
• Do circumcised men have a lower risk of getting an STI?

If these questions cross your mind, you are not alone. At LuvoMen, world-class infectious disease doctors are available for telehealth consultations to address your specific concerns. Your sexual health is your responsibility, and we're here to support you.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections with a high probability of being spread through intimate contact. The terms STI and STD are sometimes used interchangeably, but STI has become the preferred term in recent years because it encompasses both infections and diseases. Often, the term 'sexually transmitted disease' or ‘Venereal Disease’ carries negative connotations and is associated with promiscuity or being unclean, whereas 'infection' has less stigma. Not all sexually transmitted infections progress into diseases, but STDs are the later stages of STIs.
Transmission Methods: The most common way STIs are passed between individuals is through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex, as well as kissing, genital touching, and sharing sex toys. STIs can also be transmitted through blood, from mother to child during childbirth, and by sharing objects like needles and razor blades.

How to Spot, Treat, & Avoid STIs

Risk Factors: A sexually active person’s chance of getting an STI depends on a variety of factors. Age and access to sex education are important factors. Remember, “those who do not talk about sex generally end up with a sexual problem.” Several risk factors can increase your chances of contracting an STI:

How to spot STI?

Did you know that most STIs do not cause any symptoms!!! Most STIs present with no noticeable symptoms, meaning you could have an infection (for many years) without even knowing it. No symptoms don’t mean there’s no risk. You can transmit an STI (such as genital warts and herpes type I and II)to a partner if you have no symptoms. Asymptomatic STIs can have serious long-term health implications if left untreated. Common symptoms to watch for include:

Treatment: Treatment depends on the type of STI

• Antibiotics: Used for bacterial STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis.
• Antiviral Drugs:Help manage viral infections like herpes and HIV.
• Creams and Lotions:Treat pubic lice and itching.

Remember, If you have symptoms like genital warts or herpes, abstain from sex until they clear up to prevent transmission. Your partners should also be screened and treated in many cases.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Partner

STIs are preventable. Here are several ways to protect yourself and your partner:

• Remain with one healthy partner:Long-term, exclusive sexual relationships with a tested and uninfected partner.
• Watch and check:Ensure both you and your new partner have undergone STI testing before engaging in sex.
• Vaccination:HPV, can be prevented with a vaccine that is safe and effective in helping you avoid HPV-related health problems, including genital warts and cancers of the anal, mouth, and genital areas. It is usually administered by age 12 in girls and boys, to be most effective. Adults can get the vaccine too. There is also a highly effective vaccination for hepatitis B, which is included in infant immunization programs in India.
• Use Barriers Consistently and Correctly for all sexual activity: While condoms are not 100% effective, they are extremely effective when used correctly. They help reduce the risk of transmitting infections that can spread through skin-to-skin contact.
• Avoid excessive alcohol and drug use:These can impair judgment and lead to risky sexual behavior.
• Communication:You should get used to talking about sexual health with your partner. These conversations may be difficult to start with, but open communication about sexual health is essential. Discuss past STI diagnoses, testing history, and safe sex practices to make informed decisions about your sexual activities. Remember your health is more important than these difficult conversations.
• Circumcision!!:May lower the risk of contracting HIV, HPV and other STIs.

Avoiding all sexual behaviors is the only way to entirely prevent STIs, but this isn't realistic for most people. You may be surprised to hear, avoiding sex is detrimental to your physical and mental well-being, whereas, having sex can be widely beneficial Thus, we recommend safer-sex practices instead. Communication, honesty, and the use of barrier methods like condoms are key components of safer sex. While safer-sex methods help prevent STIs, they are not the same as birth control, which focuses on preventing pregnancy. Safe sex practices aim to protect your overall health and well-being, contributing to greater sexual satisfaction and reducing anxiety during sex.
Your sexual health is your responsibility. At LuvoMen, we offer telehealth consultations with expert doctors to address your concerns about STIs and sexual health. For more information or to schedule a consultation, be a member of LuvoMen’s website and take the first step towards a healthier sexual life.

Regular STI Screening

All sexually active individuals should undergo full STI screenings at least once a year or more frequently if they have multiple partners. Regular screening is the only way to ensure you and your partner remain healthy and prevent the spread of STIs. If you’re sexually active, regular STI screening is crucial. This applies to all types of sexual activities, not just penetrative sex. Screening helps diagnose and treat infections before they lead to significant complications or are unknowingly passed to others.

Without seeking treatment, all STIs have potential negative health effects, including:

• If untreated, HIV often leads to the AIDS (>1 million people die every year from AIDS)
• Severe liver damage with Hepatitis B
• Infertility form any STI
• Nervous system problems with syphilis
• Cancers from HPV