Advice For Newbies: Stds, Condoms, Etc...

[Makaveli]

Hey bros, for a guy who is 17 years old and still a virgin, what would be your advice for avoiding STDs, wearing condoms, getting tested, getting THEM tested, and even choosing "healthy" partners?

Obviously there are many people who use condoms for vaginal intercourse, but it seems hardly anyone does for oral sex.

This is a point of concern for me so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Diebold]

1) Don't go down on a woman if you don't know if she's "clean". I personally knew someone while I was in the Navy that went down on a bar pickup, and came back with reoccuring facial herpes because of it.
2) Always wear a condom. ALWAYS.
3) You reap what you sow.

[TruePlayer]

It's definitely possible to get a number of STDs through unprotected oral sex.

I think the reason that people aren't using protection so much for oral sex is that the chance of HIV transmission is pretty low. (See e.g. the chart "Estimated per act risk for acquisition of HIV-1 by exposure route" on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV).

And then the most common STDs, i.e. gonorrhea and chlamydia are pretty easily treatable with antibiotics.

I think that's the common reasoning.

But there are a few problems with the logic, as I see it.

First you can catch nasty viruses which are not treatable, e.g. HSV (herpes) and hepatitis via unprotected oral sex.

Even if you do get a treatable STD like gonorrhea or chlamydia, it will increase your risk of catching HIV in the future if you are exposed. (In fact, prior exposure to STDs is one of major factor that will alter the probabilities in the chart I cited above. Another big factor involving transmission probabilies (if she has HIV) will be her past history of STDs and whether or not she currently has one.)


So, with strangers, I would say don't do anything unprotected. (Despite what an awesome PUA you are, I think you also have to factor in the possibility that if she is doing an ONS with you, she did it with plenty of others in the past.)

With someone you know, ask them to get tested and, of course, volunteer to do it yourself. If you want to play it super safe then go protected for the first three months, and get the tests taken again (this is to avoid latency periods: some viruses (HIV) won't show up on a test until three months after exposure.)

In any case, I am just some random dude on the internet. My real advice to you is to go to an STD clinic (best one you can find), and talk to them about the risks, and then decide what is acceptable for you.

(P.S. Oh, and although this might be obvious or not applicable to you: It's a good idea to avoid druggies. Especially crystal meth users. Certain drugs can lower people's judgement about using protection and/or make them sexually compulsive.)

[Nasarius]

First you can catch nasty viruses which are not treatable, e.g. HSV (herpes) and hepatitis via unprotected oral sex.
Small pedantic correction: herpes at least is *treatable*, just not *curable*.

In any case, I am just some random dude on the internet. My real advice to you is to go to an STD clinic (best one you can find), and talk to them about the risks, and then decide what is acceptable for you.
This is the best advice you're going to get.

The Planned Parenthood website is excellent; I've used it to help an LTR research birth control options...unprotected sex in a monogamous relationship = fun.
Their STD info is also good:
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/sexual-health/std/preventing-stis-stds.htm

It's true that using condoms for oral is fairly uncommon except with prostitutes, but if your partner has herpes, you're sort of screwed. You have to weigh the risks yourself. This is a yet another excellent reason for maintaining high standards; try to avoid picking up the type of girl who has herpes and is irresponsible enough to spread it.

[TruePlayer]

One more point in favor of testing: Many STDs can be asymptomatic meaning you (or she) can have them and pass them along but have no symptoms.

[inconspicuous]

me personally... only sex w comfort... thats for my protection... always use a condom...

but im happy w bjs anyway... still a risk... but im doing it anyway...

[Pulse]

Just in case a condom does break I always have Plan B at my house.

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=161395&catid=88538&trx=PLST-0-SEARCH&trxp1=88538&trxp2=161395&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SEARCH

[Abower The Don]

How did you get the prescription ?

[Pulse]

You don't need one... they got rid of that law awhile ago.

[Abower The Don]

Cool I'll check if that applies in Canada too. Thanks!

[sd007]

Small pedantic correction: herpes at least is This is a yet another excellent reason for maintaining high standards; try to avoid picking up the type of girl who has herpes and is irresponsible enough to spread it.

dude even jessica alba might have herpes (its all over the net)... always be safe you never know.

[mR. PotenTial]

I'm all in favour of putting on a condom when having inter-course with a girl you don't know for long.. (let's say you just met and the attraction is going on and you both wanna get it on)

But wearing a rubber while getting a BJ is just f'n lame (keep in mind, I'm not saying people shouldn't do it! ANYTHING that will reduce risks is a good thing, I'm just saying it sucks that we need to be doing this!! :o ) and takes almost the fun out of getting blown with her lips going up n down your shaft! And I HATE that, it's still possible to get stuff even through oral sex and not actual 'fucking'!

God, if there was ONE wish I had in this world which could come true, it would be for all STD's to be removed from the face of the earth! It scares the sHIT out of me!!! Nothing makes me more afraid or worried than one day being infected with one or more STD virus,etc.

[CrazyWilly]

So I'll ask the HPV question. Given that the predicted infection rate is 80% for our generation and condom usage is helpful but not 100% effective what does everyone think/fear? Last I read there wasn't a test that found if men were carriers. Just pap smears for the ladies to determine if they were infected.

Anyway, I know most of the strains of HPV aren't bad, only a few are. Anyway, thoughts?

[BackintheGame]

This thread got me kinda worried since I just had a ONS....I wrapped my package when we hit it, but before we got to my place she was content doing it in the car without it.....she blew me (with obviously no rubber)....and it makes me worry that I could've got something

[ReallyPatheticFatSlob]

The definition of hell is thinking that you could have one or more STD's and you constantly monitor yourself for symptoms, yet you're too afraid to get tested.

[Insomniac]

Always wear condoms always...unless you know the girl EXTREMELY WELL. And don't forget you can get girls pregnant. After having a scare or 2 in my day you'll learn that it's just not worth it do go without. Wearing a condom makes me feel pretty much 100% sure shes not pregnant. When i didn't use one the thought always lingers in your head.

[Maxeon]

INSPECT HER GADGET!
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/lizjaskate/Inspector20Gadget.jpg