The world of dating is difficult enough sometimes, but when you add sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) to the mix, it can become even more complicated. You may find yourself really falling for someone, only to find out that they have an STD. Is this going to stop you from dating them? It really shouldn’t. Yes, it is going to change how you go about doing a few things, especially when it comes to sex, but as long as you are both careful, an STD shouldn’t affect your relationship at all. Here are some tips that will help you to deal with being in a relationship with someone who has an STD.
According to Meet Positives, an STD dating platform, there are an estimated 20 million new STD cases every year, and more than half of all US citizens will be diagnosed with an STD at some point in their lives. At the moment, 50 million US adults are infected with genital herpes, and the majority of these people do not even know that they are infected. This means that you could be dating someone with an STD, and they haven’t told you because they do not know themselves.
What should You Do?
Whether you have found out the hard way by becoming infected with an STD your partner didn’t know they had, or your partner has told you that they have an STD, you will need to find ways to be able to deal with the issue. If you truly care about this person, you will be able to continue with your relationship, as long as you handle the situation properly.
1) Practice Safe Sex – Obviously, practicing safe sex, especially in this day and age, is important. It is even more important when you are sexually involved with a person who has an STD. Make sure that you are using condoms every time you have sex with your partner. If the problem is herpes, it may be necessary to take an anti-viral medication to reduce your risk of catching it yourself.
2) Be Supportive – STD’s can be dormant for long periods of them, and then there are outbreaks that leave the sufferer feeling weakened and depressed. You may want to have sex, but they may not be in the mood. You need to be understanding and supportive of their feelings, because this is just as important as understanding their physical symptoms.
3) Get Tested Regularly – It goes without saying that you should be tested regularly for STD’s. This is important whether you are in a committed relationship with someone who has an STD, or if you are still in the dating game. When you are seeing someone who has an STD, you know that you are at a higher risk of becoming infected yourself, so make sure that you are tested at least once every month or two, just to be on the safe side.
4) Get Educated – Upon learning that your partner has an STD, you need to educate yourself about the STD in question. Some people will want to tell you about their experiences with the STD, while others won’t want to talk about it at all. You will need to get things started, and you and your partner need to learn about the STD and how to treat it/live with it.
5) Don’t Make Them Feel Bad – A lot of people feel that they are being shamed when they tell someone that they have an STD. Just because they have an STD, it doesn’t mean that they are a dirty person. It just means that they have an STD. Don’t assume that your partner has had a freaky sexual history, and don’t make them feel ashamed because of something as common as an STD.