A Blessing In Disguise – Molluscum Contagiosum – STI Interviews

Last Updated on July 29, 2021 by Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT

This was a random submission via The STI Project’s contact form – we just love getting these – we, meaning, me!! 🙂

Thank you for sharing your story – sometimes the mere act of writing it down can be incredibly healing and it will most certainly serve your purpose of letting others know they are not alone!!

Thanks again, chica, you rock!

1. How old are you?

20

2. What do you do for a living?

I’m a student.

3. What STD do you have/have you had?

Molluscum Contagiosum

4. How long have you had or known you have an STD?

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago.

5. Do you know how you contracted this STD?

I do not know who exactly, but, I do believe it was from a one night stand from a month ago.

6. How has your life changed since you contracted an STD?

I’ve been sexually active for the past 3 years and have had multiple partners, always thinking about the possibility of an STI/STD but never really expecting to contract one.

When I learned that these bumps were something contagious and because of sex, my whole self-perspective changed. I’ve just been thinking a lot and am becoming more and more aware of my body even though it has been a short period of time.

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7. Do the people who know you have an STD treat you differently than they treated you before they knew?

I have been very quiet about it; only one family member knows about it, and I know they don’t judge me on it. I don’t plan on telling anyone else unless I truly think someone needs to know, then I will and hope they do not [treat me differently].

I don’t think people should judge others on STDs; it could happen to ANYONE.

8. Are you currently under treatment for your STD?  If so, please share whether you have explored prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, or holistic and natural approaches.

Plenty of research has been done by me, and I came to the conclusion that I’m going to wait it out and let my body naturally get rid of it, unless its more than a year that has gone by and the lesions are still there..then, I will consider treatment.

My doctor suggested to me to ‘ride it out’ and let it naturally leave.

It’s going to be a long process. I’ve accepted it, but I think it could be an experience where I really get to develop myself and grow as a person while learning how my body is and what I can do for it.

9. Has having an STD hindered past relationships?

I haven’t spoken to the one night stand person and after the one night stand, 2 days later I had sex with an ex of mine but have not spoken to them since and don’t plan on it for other reasons than the STI I have contracted.

10. Do you have a significant other?  If so, how has this STD affected your partner?

No. I do not.

I think this time healing should be an experience by myself and devote myself to getting better – but, I will not shut myself off entirely of meeting people and potential relationships.

11. Have you been sexually active with someone since contracting an STD whom you did not tell you had an STD?

I performed oral sex on someone a week after being diagnosed but do not plan on doing anything sexual until my lesions are gone.

They are not aware of my situation.

12. How have you changed as a result of contracting an STD?

I believe I’m going through a phase of self/life evaluation and really learning that I need to take care of my body and become more aware of my surroundings. I’ve been thinking a lot about ‘what if i didn’t have sex with that person, I would be totally fine,’ but you can’t live thinking that way. I have an STI/STD (a curable one, thankfully), it was my own doing; now I just need to take care of myself and get past it.

Sex was always a major factor in my life, but now it almost seems less important.

My health is my number one priority, and I know by being smart with myself, I will mentally, emotionally and physically get past this. So, in a way, this has been a blessing in disguise for my life. I’ve always been a firm believer in ‘everything happens for a reason,’ and it’s been helping me mentally get through things.

All I can do is take this time in my life and learn from it.

13. Why are you choosing to participate in this interview and/or is there anything else you would like to share with The STI Project?

I’m taking the time to share this because this is a life changing moment for me, and I want others to know that they’re not alone. It’s is a scary thing to realize you have something that was transmitted to you through an act in life that can benefit your body and can be healthy. But, don’t let it destroy your life.

I’m trying to be as optimistic as possible through this, and although it has only been 2 weeks, I know that there are worse times to come and even better times as well.

Everyone needs to know that having an STI/STD does not make you a bad person or a ‘dirty’ person as many judge others as being. You are just like everyone else but are going through something that you can benefit from with a lesson at the end and when you accept it in your life.

Learn, live and grow from this; in your life, that is all you really can do for the sake of yourself.

• Would you like to share your STD story?
• Molluscum – Resources, Info & Personal Perspectives
• Would you like to read other STI Interviews?
• Are you looking for more information on Molluscum Contagiosum?
• How to Not Give an Eff about Having an STI