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STIs are a realistically unpreventable consequence of having a sex life. You hangout w somebody, you get the flu. you fuck somebody, you get herpes. Obvi responsible safe sex and an open forum help! But for asymptomatic infections? Its never your fault!! +
I am not a doctor or a therapist- just a bitch thats been there. STI screening is healthcare!! You are not dirty!! Your life is not ruined!! You are the same person you were before.
I am here to talk anybody thru that shit i mean it!! +
I am here to talk anybody thru that shit i mean it!! +
Yall would be. INCREDIBLY SUPRISED. how many of your friends have contracted one. And just never mention it! Your best friends!! they have shame!! Tell your friends!! and if you dont feel safe tell me!! lmao but fr it gets easier everytime i promise you!!
you think of all the possible scenarios and a loss of freedom and you feel like a walking disclaimer. its not like that it really doesnt have to be!!! YES even for casual sex!!! You are not dirty! You are not damaged goods!!
n i realize all of this is much easier to hear/agree w when it doesnt burn to piss lmao. I get it. Give yourself time!! Find a medical professional that you trust and ask all the nasty questions! Learn to navigate the tough conversations in a way/timing that fits you!
its something that is NEVER talked about and when i tried to grasp onto anything that made me feel like a person, i only found this one badass brave fucking angel. @brosandprose Yall underestimate the raw comfort of human connection.
imagine being 17yo for only 3 weeks, just started freshman year college, in a committed relationship that practices safe sex, called off work bcz you cant walk, 'worst ive ever seen', ER doctor is two fingers deep while youre screaming, n you get diagnosed w the butt of all jokes
lets compound this! fast forward, you have told your friends n they accept you! (duh they should) youre healed n its not a part of your daily life at all! you have tough conversations with people. But youre raped? before you can inform this person, they violate you +
now you feel guilt bcz you didnt disclose your status to somebody! how does that work? are you a bad person and a victim?
FUCK NO
but whos there to tell you that?! whos an expert on this? who even talks about it?!!!!
FUCK NO
but whos there to tell you that?! whos an expert on this? who even talks about it?!!!!
n honestly I nor anybody has all the answers. do you have to tell a one night stand your entire medical history as youre putting the towel down? whos to say? Know your needs, know your status, get tested regularly, n be open w your partners n ask that of them too!
Obviously I only have experience w 1 diagnosis n they all have different implications as to shortterm/longterm effects. Dont be malicious, dont be judgey, n educate yourself beyond what the middleschool nurse taught you in a single semester of health class.
At some point tracing is helpful! *A heads up to get tested from a previous partner should never be met with haste!!!* but if you 'cant find the source', you might never. n thats okay. i hope if covid has taught us anything about health by experience its this exactly.
n this might be another conversation but STIs are not moral punishment. STIs are not 'more acceptable' if you didnt contract them from promiscuity(blood transfers etc). STIs are not 'more immoral' if contracted by interveineous drug use.
do the work to unlearn the stigmas.
do the work to unlearn the stigmas.
Sex ed traditionally teaches you the physical symptoms of STIs, but not what to do if you have a positive result, how to heal, how to navigate convos w partners, how to know if youre at risk for future complications.
Reach out for support, be considerate, educate yourself!
Reach out for support, be considerate, educate yourself!
You are still loved. You are still deserving of a relationship. You will still navigate sexual relationships with freedom. You will be okay.
So this brain dump is done for now, I will leave you with this hint: Numbing hemorrhoid cream will save your entire life.
So this brain dump is done for now, I will leave you with this hint: Numbing hemorrhoid cream will save your entire life.
