[Question #10904] Skin to Skins STD and Condoms
18 months ago
|
Hello doctors. Last night I made an awful decision and went outside of my relationship. I was with a lower-end CSW and I decided for protected oral and vaginal sex; however, I was 5 beers in.
She stated she was clean and before we started, I put a condom on. I was not fully erect (about halfway) and could not get the condom all the way down to my pelvis skin. So maybe about a fingernail of the top part near my public hair)of my penis was exposed. She starts with oral and then before I enter her, I check her vaginal area for anything unusual. Looked okay from what I remember. I was having difficulty getting a full erection and never adjusted the condom. We did have sex for maybe 10 minutes and I was able to finish the act. When I removed my penis, the condom was intact and not broken. After the event, we talked for a bit and she assured me she was clean. Assuming my penis was only halfway covered during the event:
What are my risks for Skin to Skins STDs?
How long before something would appear?
Do you advise I continue with my regular partner?
Sorry to ask but I regret what I did and would never want to put my partner at risk.
![]() |
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
18 months ago
|
Welcome back. I'm sorry you felt the need, especially for such a low risk event.
---
It is entirely normal for as much as a quarter of the penile shaft to be uncovered by a condom; that yours didn't cover the last half inch sounds entirely normal. There always is at least small risk of those STDs transmitted by skin contact, but I wouldn't judge this event as any more risky than any other vaginal sex with condom protection. There are three main infections of potential concern: in order of potential importance (but not risk) they are syphils, herpes and HPV.
Syphilis and herpes are very low risk because the chance a partner like yours has an active, transmissible infection is very low. Your risk for either probably is no higher than one chance in several thousand. HPV is far more common, but everybody gets one or more genital HPV infections (90% of all people have been infected once they have had 3-5 different sex partners) and many infection are carried for years without symptoms. Therefore you can safely assume you have had it and may well now be a carrier. Even if your partner has a transmissible HPV infection, this single condom-protected event does not materially increase the chance you have HPV or will have any health problems from it in the future -- and does not raise your regular partner's risk for HPV either.
How long before symptoms? Syphilis (the sore called a chancre): usual onset 10-20 days after exposure. Herpes usually 3-5 days, rarely up to two weeks. HPV usually two months to a couple of years.
If I were in your shoes, I would wait 2 weeks before having sex with my partner and then would proceed if nothing shows up. You could consider a syphilis blood test after 4-6 weeks, expecting a negative result, but no other tests. (There is no test for HPV, and the HSV blood tests are too unreliable.)
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
------
18 months ago
|
So am I at risk or are you telling me to wait as a precaution?
Sorry but I feel so dumb and stupid for what I did.
![]() |
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
18 months ago
|
Huh? What did you not understand about my reply??? Re-read starting with "If I were in your shoes..."; then re-read all that preceded it. Pay close attention this time. You're free to do whatever you wish with the information I have provided!---
---
---
18 months ago
|
Sorry doctor. I was just thrown off by you saying I have a 1 in a thousand chance and the end statement is to wait.
I will follow your advice since you are an expert.
Thanks for the advice and I hope everything turns out okay. I feel like such a piece of garbage.
![]() |
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
18 months ago
|
All we can do is give probabilities and general info. The decisions are yours. That said, the chance you were infected is very low. Thinking about it again, I would continue unprotected sex with my wife at this time, without worry. But you won’t necessarily make the same decision, which might depend on the strength of your relationship and other personal factors I have no way of knowing. It’s your personal decision.---
18 months ago
|
Hi doctor. I really do appreciate the advice. I was not trying to be argumentative. My question was coming from a place of fear and worry for my actions. Being under the influence had also made me unclear how well-covered I was. I was just trying to understand if I made a very poor decision. Sounds like my risk is low and I should keep an eye on things. This is under the assumption the woman I was with had something. She likely had nothing :). My plan is to follow your initial guidance. If I am that one in a thousand, at least I only hurt myself. I appreciate your time and advice. Have a great weekend!
![]() |
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
18 months ago
|
Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped. Best wishes and stay safe.---