You Won’t Get an STI If You Practice Safer Sex - Myth or Fact?

What are STIs?

STIs or sexually transmitted infections are infections that can be contracted via oral, anal or vaginal sex. While the name STI suggests that sexual transmission is the mode of spread, it is important to note that it is not the only mode of transmission. STI infections can be categorised into 3 different types -

1. Bacterial – Infectious bacteria reproduce very quickly and give off toxins which further damage the tissues. Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and syphilis are some examples of bacterial STIs.
2. Viral – Viral STIs are caused by viruses. The virus is a non-living organism that uses a host cell to survive. Human papillomavirus (HPV), genital herpes, HIV and hepatitis are some examples.
3. Parasitic – Parasite is an organism that can stay and live off other objects. They are present in our body and feed on the same.

Although we largely speak of STIs and penetrative sex, it's important to know all the ways in which you could get an STI. We have tried to put together ways in which you could get STIs aside from penetrative sex.

So, how else can STIs spread?

• First base- Kissing is one of the easiest ways to get an STI especially if your partner has an obvious rash or sore around the face. The exchange of saliva or oral fluids increases your risk of STIs. Herpes is a common cause of cold sores that you could easily miss looking at before you get intimate with someone. So, here’s our advice -

1. Talk testing - If you or your partner are sexually active, but not mutually exclusive or if you've just started a new relationship, encourage your partner to get tested with you. You can even make a lunch date out of it!
2. Observe your and your partner’s bodies - Any obvious rashes, sores, lumps and bumps should be a warning sign to get tested.

• When you go down when you go down-down (Cunnilingus/Blowjobs)- Aside from being a great soundtrack, this is also one of the sure-fire ways to get an STI. Going down on your partner whether it's a male or female, can give you an STI. The exchange of fluids between you and your sexual partners can transmit a plethora of STI infections, such as herpes, HPV, HIV, Hepatitis B and more. So, here’s our advice - Keep dental dams handy. If you can't buy them, learn to make makeshift dental dams out of condoms. Here’s how you can do that -

1. Use condoms when going down on a partner with a penis.

• The risks of rimming or mouth to anal hole contact- can also act as a portal for infection. The practice of rimming can introduce bacteria from the mouth into the anus and vice versa. Both these places have some healthy bacteria known as commensals. In the wrong place, these commensals can cause an STI. It is essential to practice the utmost hygiene before indulging in this practice. Hepatitis A & B, Syphilis is very likely to spread by this route. So, here’s our advice -

1. Watch out for obvious cuts and sores.

2. Wash the anal area with antibacterial soap before you engage in sexual intimacy.

• Sharing the same sex toys- Sex toys can certainly make sex fun and help you know more about your body and your partners. But bear in mind that sex toys can exchange fluids and increase your risk for an STI. This risk is higher in porous vs. non-porous sex toys . Studies have shown that 40% of sex toys have HPV on them even after cleaning them with soap and water. So, here’s our advice -

Your sex toys need to be body-safe (made of materials safe for insertion), and they also need to be cleaned as per guidelines.

1. Use condoms on toys you use for penetration and change a toy every time you penetrate a different hole. This applies when with a partner and by yourself as well.
2. Opt for non-porous toys.
3. Discuss toy history too. Your partner should know how many people have used your toy.

• Dry humping- The partner with a penis can rub it against the body part of the other partner receiving it, such as the middle of the thighs, breasts or buttocks. This act is called dry humping. Even though dry humping is pregnancy-free and rarely involves an exchange of body fluids, however, the act does cause skin-to-skin rubbing and can spread STIs such as Syphilis, Chancroid (soft sores), Herpes and HPV. If you don't know your partner's sexual history, keeping your clothes on during dry humping will help reduce the transmission. So, here’s our advice -

Talk about STI testing before getting busy, and stop if you see that your partner has any obvious sores or lumps.

• Scissoring- Scissoring is the act of rubbing vulvas against one another by two vulva owners. If you are someone whose sexual experience doesn't involve penises, there is still no reason to discard barrier protection. Scissoring isn't a super safe sexual activity. It involves a direct transfer of vaginal fluids and increases your risk for an STI. STIs that transmit through scissoring could be - HPV, HIV, Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia. Not just STIs but scissoring could also increase your risk for a UTI and bacterial vaginosis. So, here’s our advice -

1. Since dental dams may be tricky and uncomfortable between two vulvas, use a lot of lube on both sides.
2. Opt for a thin layer of clothes such as leggings to reduce risk if this is an unknown partner.

• Fisting / Fingering- The act of introducing a finger or more into your partner's orifices is called fisting. Fingering isn't dangerous unless the finger is a vehicle for sharing fluids between partners. For instance, if your partner uses their finger or hand to please themselves and directly uses it on you, you could get an STI from them. STIs you can get this way are - Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and vaginal infections such as trichomoniasis and yeast. So, here’s our advice -

1. You can cut off the fingers of a glove to make "finger-cots" when fingering or use gloves as a whole when fisting.
2. The same rule applies - don't exchange fingers or fists between holes without washing hands or changing cots.
3. Shorter smoother nails will minimise the risk of cuts and abrasions and reduce the risk of STIs.
4. Use plenty of lube, and remember to go slow.

• Staying together and sharing personal space and objects-Fomite-borne STI transmission occurs through the use of inanimate objects for non-sexual purposes, such as towels, linen etc. Diseases such as scabies, trichomonas and pubic lice (pediculosis) spread this way. So, here’s our advice -

1. Clean and disinfect common articles of use before being used by an uninfected individual.
2. Only start sharing objects once an infected individual has completed treatment and is disease-free.

• Sharing infected needles - Unsterilized needle sharing for IV drug use and tattooing both pose one of the greatest risks for developing an STI without sexual activity. Hepatitis B, C and HIV are the most common diseases transmitted this way amongst others. So, here’s our advice -

1. Don't indulge in IV drug use. If you are someone that's struggling, then reach out to mental health providers to help you combat that addiction.
2. Get tested regularly.
3. Ensure that you get healthcare in licensed and verified locations where your doctors use sterile equipment. The same goes for tattoo parlours.

How to be aware of STI symptoms?

Some common symptoms that suggest STIs amongst women are –

• Discomfort and itchiness in or around the vaginal area
• Constant pain during sexual intercourse or urination
• Visible and painful changes (sores, rashes or bumps) in the skin around the vagina, anus, thighs or mouth
• Unusual bleeding and discharge through the vagina

STI Treatment & Tests

The diagnosis of STIs is done through a collection of blood, urine or other fluid samples. And there are also available vaccinations that protect against conditions such as hepatitis and HPV. Make sure you get STI tested regularly.

Conclusion

A word of caution, tests may not always give you the right result depending on the time of STI testing. In fact, some STIs do not have any dedicated tests available and some infections do not even show the symptoms for a long period of time. So if you get the STI tests done and the results are negative, you may want to consider a retest just to be double sure. Speak to your doctor about testing after window periods too!

Disclaimer: This information is educational and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any dietary changes or adding supplements.

Proactive For Her is a digital clinic for women, offering accessible, personalised, and confidential healthcare solutions. We offer out-patient care, diagnostic services and programs for various health concerns of Indian women, across their lifetime - from puberty to pregnancy to menopause.