We’re living in an era of misinformation, and for those of us working in sexual health and public health, it’s a nightmare.
When working with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), there’s an added layer of misunderstanding and stigma.
Any time I speak or engage people about STIs, I lead with an assumption. We all make assumptions about what others know. Generally, my assumption is that the people I’m speaking to don’t have all of the facts when it comes to STIs.
I didn’t, you probably didn’t either. Maybe you’re still skeptical and that’s why you’re here. With so much rhetoric about general vaccinations and public health, my alarm bells are going off for not if, but when more scare tactics are used to share information when it comes to STIs.
Here are pieces of propaganda I’m choosing not to believe (and what I’m believing instead).
No matter who is in charge, the media loves a clickbait headline. Here’s your reminder that even when STIs are rising, or you learn of an uptick in your area, you don’t need to fear them. It’s an opportunity to be more informed and a reminder to communicate with your partners.
What I’m believing instead: Rising STI rates are a reminder for better communication and access to testing, not panic.
For many, fear equals avoidance. Many, if not most, people want to avoid getting an STI. Instead of taking preventative measures that lead to fewer STIs, they avoid ~the talk~ altogether.
Don’t give your fear a front seat ticket to your sexual health story. Contrary to what you might’ve learned in your health class, STIs happen and are more normal than you realize. In fact, over half of adults in the United States will get an STI at some point during their lifetime.
What I’m believing instead: STIs are common, manageable, and nothing to be ashamed of.
This stereotype has long existed, and it usually comes at the expense of women—who are both more biologically vulnerable to transmission and more likely to actually get tested—while men often ignore symptoms or avoid the doctor entirely.
STIs can happen to anyone. From the monogamous couple who didn’t realize a cold sore could lead to genital herpes, to the party girl who enjoys sex with multiple friends with benefits, to the guy who is making sure to ask his partners about their STI testing history.
What I’m believing instead: You can do everything “right” and still end up getting an STI. It is not a moral failure, it is a biological reality of having sex.
Unlearning is never easy, especially when you learned these things from people and organizations you trusted. But in an era of misinformation, choosing facts over fear is a radical act. Talk to your partners—open communication is one of the best tools for reducing STI transmission. Get informed. Get tested. Your sexual health deserves better than propaganda.
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