We have talked about the importance of sharing your sexual health, sexual history and STD conditions with your loved ones, but what can or should those loved ones do when they receive this news? It isn’t an enviable position to be in, but it isn’t an easy journey for the partners or loved ones to those who have contracted STDs.
If you are lost and are unsure of what to do, here are some tips and advice you can follow. However, after everything is said and done, it is appropriate to consult a medical professional at the nearest time and opportunity, as seasoned doctors can prescribe the right medicine and give the right advice to help you through this difficult period of time.
Why should people inform their partners when they get STDs?
While there are many reasons why people share their conditions with their partners, the main reasons are related to their health and mental wellbeing. These includes:
- Gaining the trust and support of their partner in their journey to recovery
- Their partner can get tested and seek treatment if required. The earlier they do it, the higher the chance of recovery and the lower the amount of risks involved.
- Allow each other to make the appropriate lifestyle changes to protect themselves and the loved ones around them
Now that we’ve gotten over the important reasons to share with your partner when you get STDs, what are some things a partner can do when their partner has shared this news with them?
1. Educate yourself on the effects of the specific STD(s) your partner has
One of the biggest and most difficult hurdles when it comes to helping our partners in their journey to recovery is the disinformation and misconceptions about STDs available. As STDs are not something that most people have experience with or have good knowledge about, people tend to overreact. This not only causes unnecessary stress and anxiety, it can also strain your relationship with your partner at a time and moment of difficulty.
While Google is a good place to start, it is best to consult with an experienced doctor as they aren’t just able to provide the latest treatment options but also prescribe the needed medication in relation to the patient’s medical history and other risk factors to aid the patient immediately.
2. Don’t jump to conclusions
It may be easy to jump to different conclusions when your long-time partner suddenly has an STD. It does not necessarily mean that they have been cheating on you, as some people have STDs unknowingly for many years without knowing it. An example of this would be Herpes, as it often lays dormant in the body, only becoming active when the immune system is weakened from stress or illness.
This doesn’t just apply to the reasons for getting STDs, though, as there are many cases of uninformed partners or patients jumping to conclusions about the lifestyle habits, assumptions and other false ideas they have once they get STDs. The most important thing is to get educated from the right sources before doing things that inadvertently harm your relationship or strain you out in the long run.
3. Provide emotional support and go through it together
While there might be different reasons why your partner might have contracted an STD, it doesn’t change the fact that the road to recovery can be fraught with difficulties and strain. A partner’s support in this period of time can be extremely crucial.
From listening to their concerns to helping them remember crucial things they need to do, there are many ways to be both a great support and practical help at the same time. Sometimes, the fact that having a supportive figure at their side can often help a patient with STD recover much quicker than those without.
4. If the need arises, always practice safe sex
Safety is key. While some couples choose to abstain from sex while one of them has STD, some couples choose to remain consensual partners. While it is still in the realm of possibility, we recommend that you seek the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional first. They will be able to share with you the do’s and don’ts and give you the proper recommendations and things to watch out for specific to your STD and other general safety advice.
The most basic recommendation is to use condoms for oral or penetrative sex. The proper use of condoms can significantly reduce the risk of the transmission of STDs during sexual intercourse. However, there are other types of STDs like Herpes which can be spread through skin-to-skin contact. In that case, it is recommended to abstain from sex while your partner takes suppressive antiviral medication to reduce the risk of transmission.
Conclusion – it’s best to consult a medical professional
While there are many things we can do for our partners who have STDs, it is important for us to be fine with coping with this newfound stress. The tremendous stress this drastic announcement would have made in your life can’t be underestimated. If you are unsure of what to do, you can always consult a medical professional who is equipped and trained to assist you and your partner in the journey to recovery.
All that being said, it is important to go for an STD test if you have had a history of sexual partners, as mentioned above, where STDs can often lay dormant and without symptoms for many years. This is where Elyon Clinic comes in, as we provide confidential testing to safeguard the identity of our patients while providing any forms of treatment and support as required. Check-in with us to ensure the safety and well-being of you and those around you today.
