Can you tell me what things are sexually transmitted? I’m not sure what to be worrying about.
Short Answer
Yes, see below. However, consider that 70% of people never have symptoms of sexually transmitted infections. Put another way, most people never have symptoms, ever. There is nothing to see, sniff, check. No sores, weeping penises, rashes. Nothing. So preventing genital contact with barriers is a proven, successful method for preventing infection transmission, and can be made to be a pleasurable part of intimacy.
So in the end, don’t spend a lot of time worrying. Preventing pregnancy is one thing to think about, while preventing infections is completely another task. Knowing whether you already have an infection is even more important. So, don’t worry. Take the time to get checked. Then prevent exposure.
Long Answer
Since you asked, here is our comprehensive list of sexually transmissible infections. It’s pretty inclusive, although there are infections not listed that are rarer still. Most health professionals break things into three different categories because transmission possibilities, as well as treatment options differ by group. The ones bolded below are the most common.
Also note: most people get Infections (as in Sexually Transmitted Infections). Fewer people then develop Diseases (as in Sexually Transmitted Diseases) as a result of being infected. Examples of this would be: being infected with Chlamydia vs. having Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. HIV infection vs. AIDS.
Sexually Transmitted Viral Infections
These infections can be treated by medicines, but often cannot be cleared completely out of the body. They can often flare back up when you are sick (a cold, cancer, etc.), or stressed (life, work…).
- Cytomegalovirus, CMV
- Ebolavirus, (different strains)
- Epstein Barr Virus, EBV or Mononucleosis (Mono)
- Herpes Simplex Virus-1, Herpes type 1
- Herpes Simplex Virus-2, Herpes type 2
- Herpes Zoster, Shingles
- Human Papilloma Virus, HPV, or genital or cervical warts
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV
- HTLV-1, HTLV-2, viruses that can cause muscle weakness
- Hepatitis A, B, C, D, G
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Mycoplasma genitalium
- SARS-CoV 2 (? We don’t know much about this yet.)
Sexually Transmitted Bacterial and Yeast Infections
These sexually transmitted bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics and other medicines and be completely cleared* from the body. Some of them are harder to treat than others, and may require extended treatment. One could include Bacterial Vaginosis (Gardnerella sp.) in this list, however that occurs more commonly from disruption of the microbiome rather than a traditional infection.
- Hemophilus ducreyi, Chancroid
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Neisseria gonorrhea* (drug resistant strains are now present in the US and cannot be completely cured)
- Group B-hemolytic streptococcus, Group B Strep
- Treponema pallidum, (syphilis)
- Candida albicans, (yeast infection)
- Candida glabrata, atypical yeast infection
- Calymmatobacterium granulomatis, granuloma inguinale
Sexually Transmitted Parasitic Infections
Sexually transmitted parasitic infections are completely curable with medication. Depending where the parasite has taken up residence, medication might be given by mouth, or might be used in a medicated shampoo or lotion.
- Entaboeba histolytica, Amebiasis (ameoba)
- Phthrirus pubis, (Pubic Lice)
- Sarcoptes Scabiei, Scabies (Crabs)
- Trichomonas vaginalis, (Trich)