Originally Posted by
buckjoe23
Ok let’s get some facts straight.
1. Oral sex is a far less risky proposition for the receiver than the giver across all STIs. Even for the giver it’s a less risky proposition than vaginal and anal. However, HPV has caused an increase in throat cancer due to the destigmatisation of oral sex over time.
2. Re HPV, if you’re far enough down the sexual path to think you might have needed Gardisil, you’re too late. +80% of the population have HPV and there are more than 80 variants. Which variant/s you have and how they manifest is the question. One man’s genital warts is another man’s Asymptomatic never to be seen hidden issue.
3. Oral Gonorrhoea- gets a lot of press. Primarily an issue in men who have sex with men but not exclusively. One bonus - penile Gonorrhoea never hides its symptoms so you have to get something done about it. It’s called “the drip” for a reason. The burning urine isn’t good either.
4. HIV is incredibly hard to acquire. Receptive anal with an ejaculation received inside from a positive man with a high viral load is still only around 1 in 500. There is an increase in receptive vaginal - why? Because men who have sex with men who contract it then go home and transmit it. But the vaginal walls are strong and it is more difficult to contract than through the anus. Men getting HIV from women is incredibly rare unless there is an open route for transmission e.g. a Syphilis sore and she has a high viral load.
5. Unprotected vaginal sex is most likely to result in Chlamydia - easy to clear up. Antibiotic resistant Gonorrhoea is on the increase in South East Asia but it can be stopped with generation 4 antibiotics such as moxofloxicin.
6. Condoms are effective in preventing STIs, full stop. But….Herpes is spread by direct contact so if your balls happen to run against a herpes sore even though your penis is covered you may still get herpes. And an estimated 25% of sexually active people will have it.
In short work out your own risk profile and how you wish to behave and what consequences you’re willing to deal with. I’m a strategic risk taker based on the stats, but I’d never recommend this to anyone else - you have to take control of your own risks.
Oh - and an ability to self diagnose and medicate puts me in a position of advantage.