STDs are spread mainly through sexual activities. Although everyday social interactions are safe, there are several ways in which STIs can be transmitted.
The main cause: unprotected sex
The greatest risk of transmission of STDs is through unprotected sexual contact. This includes:
- Anal and vaginal sex without a condom.
- Oral sex.
- Transmission through skin contact, as with herpes and scabies.
- Women who have sex with women can transmit STIs through oral sex, mutual masturbation, scissors or sharing sex toys.
Risks associated with blood contact
STIs can also be transmitted through blood contact, for example through:
- Shared use of hypodermic needles.
- Stabbing and cutting accidents.
- Shared use of personal items such as toothbrushes and razors.
Transmission from mother to child
Some STDs can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
Risk from shared use of textiles
Sharing personal items such as towels or bedding can lead to the transmission of scabies, pubic lice and genital warts.
Oral sex and STD risks
Oral sex, including blowjobs and cupping, can also pose a risk of STIs. To lower the risk:
- Avoid swallowing semen.
- Avoid oral sex during menstruation or if there are wounds in the mouth.
- Do not brush or floss your teeth immediately before or after oral sex.
- Use a condom or dental flap to further reduce risks.
Specific STDs related to oral sex
With oral sex, there are specific STIs to watch out for, such as chlamydia, herpes, HPV, hepatitis A and B, syphilis, gonorrhoea and HIV. The infectivity can vary, and some STDs produce little or no symptoms after oral sex.
Contagiousness of STDs
Not all STDs are equally contagious. Factors affecting infectivity include health status, duration of sexual contact and sex techniques used.
Safe versus risky sexual practices
Not all sexual activities pose the same risks:
- Kissing and French kissing: mainly risk of herpes.
- Hugging and caressing: risk of scabies and pubic lice.
- Masturbation: risk if there is contact between body fluids and mucous membranes.
- Vaginal and anal sex: high risk of all STIs.
- Blowjobs and eating pussy: lower risk than anal and vaginal sex, but risk of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes and hepatitis B remains.
- Sharing sex toys: can transmit STDs if not properly protected.
- Pee and poo sex: mainly risk with blood contact.
- Rubbing contact without clothing: risk of HPV.
With this knowledge and preventive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of contracting an STI.