Myths and facts

There are many myths and misconceptions around the subject of sexual health and sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs/STIs). You've probably heard some of them ("You can't get pregnant the first time you have sex.") and maybe even believed one or two ("I get tested for STDs when I get my annual Pap test.") When it comes to taking care of your health, however, it's important to separate myth from fact.

On these pages, we intend to do just that. You'll find a few common myths (and facts) below, but we know you've heard more . . . and are curious to learn the right answers and the real facts. If you've heard something and want to know--myth or fact?--send us an e-mail and let us know. While we can't personally respond to every e-mail we receive, we'll address some of those here. Check back to see if your question has been answered, or just to see what other myths we debunk.

Learn the facts. Click below to learn more:

MYTH: You can get herpes from a toilet seat.

Fact: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is spread by direct skin to skin contact. So unless you and another person are sharing a toilet seat at the same time, the toilet is not likely the soruce f the infection. Authors of the ASHA publication Managing Herpes, Living and Loving with HSV, Charles Ebel and Anna Wald, MD, address the implausinility of toilet seat issue. As they noe: "In order to spread herpes, a person has to be infected, to have active herpes, and to have virus present on the skin. Furthermore, the skin in question would have to come into contact with the surface of the toilet seat. Since people generally do not rub their genitals against toilet seats, a person would have to have active herpes on the back of the thigh or lower buttock in order to place virus on the seat. This is not the most likely place to have an outbreak. Next, within a short time, a second person would have to sit on the same seat, making contact with the seat in exactly the same spot, thereby coming into contact with HSV.”

As they note, transmission from a toilet seat falls along the line of "generally impossible." So while you might want to check to see if the seat is clean and dry before sitting, you can leave worries about herpes behind.

MYTH: You're tested for STDs when you get your annual Pap test.

FACT: Pap tests are designed to find cervical cell changes that, if left undetected, in rare cases might lead to cervical cancer. Pap tests are not specific tests for any sexually transmitted disease or infection (STD/STI). While some women think (or assume) that they are being tested for STDs/STIs when they have a Pap test, this is not the case. You'll need to talk to your healthcare provider about STD/STI testing and see if she or he recommends any tests for you. But while not a means of checking for STDs/STIs, Pap tests are an important part of protecting a woman’s sexual and reproductive health.

MYTH: You can get HIV from a mosquito bite.

FACT: West Nile virus? Yes. Malaria? Sure. HIV? No. Simply put, HIV is not transmitted by mosquitoes. For a more detailed answer, we refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "From the start of the HIV epidemic there has been concern about HIV transmission from biting and bloodsucking insects, such as mosquitoes. However, studies conducted by the CDC and elsewhere have shown no evidence of HIV transmission from mosquitoes or any other insects - even in areas where there are many cases of AIDS and large populations of mosquitoes. Lack of such outbreaks, despite intense efforts to detect them, supports the conclusion that HIV is not transmitted by insects."

MYTH: Baby oil and Vaseline® are okay to use as lubricants with latext condoms.

FACT: Oil-based lubricants (such as baby oil, Vaseline®, handcreams, cold cream, suntan lotion, Crisco, mineral oil) can rapidly break down latex and allow STDs/STIs to pass through. Instead, water soluble lubricants like K-Y Jelly®, Glide®, Aqualube®, most contraceptive jellies, saliva, or even plain ol' water are good lubricants to use with condoms. Water-based lubricants can be found in grocery or drug stores next to condoms. (Also note--some lubricants contain nonoxynol 9, which can cause irritation. This irritation may facilitate the transmission of HIV and other STD/STIs.

Wondering about other "facts" you've heard about sexual health and STDs/STIs? Send them to us and we'll help separate the myths from the facts.