Diseases

[Katmandu]

Alright gang, let's have a frank discussion about STD's, and other possible nasty-catchies.

I researched the other threads, but there is nothing that addresses this issue in a current, cohesive manner.

Now, I'm not about to give the lesson here, just am asking everyone else to contribute with KNOWN facts only.

It was Ruby in another thread, who mentioned outercourse, which got me to thinking about if/when I engage in sexual pleasures with someone not my steady partner.

What are the immediate dangers?

What, exactly, can a person contract during oral sex, for instance? If the person doesn't cum in your mouth, do the dangers disappear? What if you choose to use an oral shield (and is it worth it)?

Can one contract any illnesses by (in M/f) by having cum squirted on the exterior of your body?

Just exactly what does a rubber NOT protect us from?

Anyone else with experience on performing outersex that can share techniques for those of us voyeuring with a new partner?

[Nikita]

Alright gang, let's have a frank discussion about STD's, and other possible nasty-catchies.

I researched the other threads, but there is nothing that addresses this issue in a current, cohesive manner.

Now, I'm not about to give the lesson here, just am asking everyone else to contribute with KNOWN facts only.

It was Ruby in another thread, who mentioned outercourse, which got me to thinking about if/when I engage in sexual pleasures with someone not my steady partner.

What are the immediate dangers?

What, exactly, can a person contract during oral sex, for instance? If the person doesn't cum in your mouth, do the dangers disappear? What if you choose to use an oral shield (and is it worth it)?

Can one contract any illnesses by (in M/f) by having cum squirted on the exterior of your body?

Just exactly what does a rubber NOT protect us from?

Anyone else with experience on performing outersex that can share techniques for those of us voyeuring with a new partner?

Surf the net for information. Doubt if any doctors on the forum would respond to these questions... If you find link for info, please post for others?

[Dododecapod]

This is my understanding, and while I am not a doctor, I have worked several times in a health and sexual education bureau.

A condom is highly effective against all STDs save two: Genital Warts and Herpes. All that is required for those two diseases to be spread is skin contact between the infected area and an uninfected victim. With Herpes, abstinance during an outbreak is the only course of action that will not spread the disease. Genital Warts sufferers must either entirely cover the warts or refrain from sex - but Genital Warts, unlike Herpes, can be cured.

All STDs can be transferred by oral sex, but some are more likely than others. HIV will only transfer if there is a wound in the mouth, but that is unfortunately common. Virtually all of the common STDs thrive equally well in the mouth and Esophagus as in the genitalia. Oral dams are, unfortunately, largely useless, since the entire interior of the mouth is mucosal membrane, and thus an acceptable medium for these diseases' growth.

Ejaculation on the skin is less dangerous than inside the body, but is still subject to certain dangers. Any cut or lesion is an entry point for these diseases. And one of the most common STDs, Syphilis, is perfectly happy going through the skin instead of mucous membranes.

The best way to protect yourself is to have a single partner, and to get both of you checked out by a general practitioner, including a comprehensive blood test. What you don't have, you can't pass on.

[learningtopleez]

I did as Nikita suggested and did some surfing....found a very informative site that sorta breaks down info from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). http://www.talksexwithsue.com/condoms.html There is also a direct link to the CDC site if you want to read the info with really big words!

I think Dododecapod gave some great information, but this link seems to say that condoms are not highly effective except against HIV.

As for oral sex, if a person has an STD that is a transmitted via skin to skin, then it doesn't matter if they cum in your mouth or not! Just the act itself can give you the STD, as many STD's do thrive in the throat and mouth. Couldn't find a whole lot of info on oral dams. Sowwy!

I'm gonna put the link to the CDC up here as well. Okay for some reason it's not letting me do that.....so....when you go to the above website for info....click on the link to the CDC....in the top right hand corner click on Health Topics A-Z, click on S and look for Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Click there and this should take you to a page where each STD is listed on the left of the page and you can research it for yourselves to see how it's contracted and how to prevent it. However Dododecapod is correct about the best way to protect yourself.

Also if you want to test yourself for HIV....there are some places you can go on the net to order a kit...really...but you have to prick (no pun intended ), your finger...and most kits will cost you money....okay...that's all the info I have for ya today kids! Hope I haven't ruined everyone's weekend!

If ya can't get the link to work for ya, please forgive my ignorance when it cums to stuff like this and just copy and paste it! It really does have some good info!

[Katmandu]

OK, this is part of what I have found, @ What a condom is effective against:


HIV Highly effective protection
Gonorrhea Medium to high effectiveness
Chlamydia Medium to high effectiveness
Trichomoniasis Medium to high effectiveness
Herpes Low effectiveness
Syphilis Low effectiveness
Chancroid Low effectiveness
HPV –
Human Papillomavirus
(warts) Low effectiveness, but does reduce risk of cervical
cancer associated with HPV

[Katmandu]

The last 4 listed...Herpes, Syphilus, Chancroid, and HPV are listed as low effectivenes because they produce sores, rather than JUST being a fluid discharged.

If you have a wart or a herpes sore on your penis, and you wear a condom over it, the disease will not be transmitted through the condom. However, most genital sores appear on other genital areas that are NOT covered by a condom. The disease can be spread by simply rubbing up against the sore or the infected area. Herpes is particularly sneaky, because the person with the disease may not have an active sore, but may still be 'shedding' skin cells that contain the virus from the infected area .

The good news is; these 4 diseases are easier to treat if found, being not as life threatening as HIV. Basic recommendation: Use the condom whenever with a new partner!

[Katmandu]

In another thread, started by our Ruby, she brought up the issue of people

opening up their relationship and going poly (or engaging in outcourse activities)

That is specifically why I have started this thread, so we can all be aware of the possible dangers of wandering in our sexuality; yet even more specific:
How to get around these dangers.

Therefore, while I will add more research as I find it concerning this issue, input from other Forum members would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Spitman]

I should start by saying I am not a qualified health professional, but here is some factual information that I have picked up here and there.

Many sex toys are made from materials that seem to have smooth and uninterrupted surfaces, but are actually porous. This includes most plastics, flexible rubbery materials, ceramics (unless glazed) and metals including stainless steel. Most protective, decorative or cosmetic coatings used on domestic objects made from steel or other metals are also permeable to bodily fluids, bacteria and viruses.

Bodily fluids can be absorbed into all these materials and can transmit STDs to another user of the same toy. Normal hygiene precautions such as rinsing the item with disinfectant are a good idea, but may not be totally effective. Dildos and other similar sex toys, if used by multiple partners, should be fitted with a condom before each use.

Where a regular partner has HIV, I have heard that there is a high incidence of transmission due to frequent sex, even if a condom is used. Body fluids only need to come in contact with a mucous membrane or a break in the skin caused by any reason. Where a partner has an STD and a condom would normally provide protection, the probability of transmission is multiplied by the number of times you have sex, and where this number is greater than 12 the probability of transmission becomes significant. The only really safe practice is not to have sex with an infected person.

Whips, canes and other implements used for punishment are also permeable to bodily fluids and any microorganisms they may contain. It is unsafe to use the same implement on multiple subjects if any of them are carrying any kind of STD that can be transmitted through the skin. Drawing blood is particularly dangerous if the subject might be infected, as blood only needs to come in contact with a break in the skin or a mucous membrane for transmission of HIV or another STD to occur. Blood or body fluids absorbed into leather or another organic material can transmit an STD to another person who is punished with the same implement. The only safe practice is for a particular implement to be used only on a single individual, or of course, to avoid corporal punishment altogether.

Painting a wooden object is not sufficient to make it impermeable. Marine varnish is better than paint, but in addition to several coats of varnish I would still advise scrupulous disinfection (and use of a condom where appropriate).

Ropes, cords, straps, cuffs and other bondage equipment can be a vehicle for transmitting an STD. It is important to ensure that people using this equipment do not have external lesions such as warts that can be picked up by the leather and transmitted. Parts of the boby exposed to such items can be wrapped with a protective layer such as cling film to prevent direct contact with the skin. This is especially important in clubs and other places where the same equipment is used by many members.