Interviews like this one remind me how important it is to continue advocating for comprehensive safer sex education. Unfortunately, it’s the norm rather than the exception that people get diagnosed and know very little about how they contracted an infection – testing, transmission, risk, you name it; most people know very little about STDs, in […]
HSV2 – It Sucks, But We Can Get Through It – STI Interviews
As if an HSV2 diagnosis isn’t enough to send someone whirling, then those who’ve you’ve entrusted with that personal information decide they should tell others about your infection. That’s enough to make anyone depressed while feeling like a true villain – a horrible, undesirable person who people should ‘watch out’ for. The problem with those […]
Genital HSV1 – I’m Not Dirty, I’m Just Unlucky – STI Interviews
One of the most common things we hear at The STI Project is the misconception that people with STDs are promiscuous. The assumption is that, unless you’ve slept with a ton of people (whatever ‘a ton’ is), you won’t contract an infection. When, actually, the number of partners you have is only one of the […]
Dear Sexologist – Can You Get an STD from a Toilet or Shower?
This guest post was written by one of our contributors, Dr. Megan Stubbs, an energetic multi-media savvy Sexologist. Reader Submitted Question Dear Sexologist, I’m a college student, and I live in a dorm with a community bathroom facility. I heard that one of the girls down the hall has an STD, and now I’m worried about […]
Chlamydia – He Made Me Feel Awful – STI Interviews
Submitted anonymously via the contact form, this interview speaks to level of stigma that persists across all STD diagnosis. Largely, those misconceptions prevail because of a lack of information. Folks are unaware of how likely they are to contract an STD, and instead of taking responsibility for their sexual behavior, they blame those who have […]
HSV2 – Utterly Lost – STI Interviews
This interview speaks to one of the many reasons why we must challenge the stigma associated with contracting an STD. That someone has an STD does not mean they are a slut, promiscuous, a whore, etc. – whether they have engaged in sexual activities one time, ten times, or a hundred times. One’s sexual proclivity […]
Herpes – Destroying Me Mentally – STI Interviews
Submitted anonymously via the contact form, this woman’s interview brings back so many similar emotions. While it’s been 15 years since I was first diagnosed, the shame, personal disgust, and overwhelming uncertainty about my life ahead engulfed me for so many years following my herpes diagnosis. I write a lot about how I’ve been able […]
Seek Positive Influences – HSV1 – STI Interviews
Submitted anonymously via the contact form, this interview highlights how an STD diagnosis, namely, HSV1, can be a blessing in disguise. While the stigma associated with contracting an STD is definitely no Saturday morning walk in the park, it seems that, upon diagnosis, an individual almost always finds themselves doing some much needed personal reflection. […]