[Question #11631] Nude Massage Risks

13 months ago

Dear Docs, in Indian massage parlor, a massage went a little far than expected. The massage therapist gave a hand job with body to body in between. Massage therapist had no cloths on. It was dark and I could not where all she rubbed her vagina. I have read many posts and you have stated often that this is no risk. I want reassurance on some things. 1) I am freaking out with STI/STD possibilities as the place wasn’t the greatest in terms of hygiene. It was not bad but not great. 2) Don’t know about the status of the therapist . My Specific questions. 1) Is there absolutely no risk of STDs assuming there is no penetration 2) There are many forums who say skin to skin is a risk. I don’t know if the vagina touched my penis. It was dark. It definitely touched my thighs during rubbing. Do hard rubbing increase the risk 3) Most importantly do I need any testing. have huge respect for what you do and I am request a definitive answer internet is full of low risk, possibilities, nicks, cuts etc 4) Lastly I have some ingrown hair with a couple of postules / folliculitis in the pubic area. Would that increase the risk during the massage. Again getting very worried specially with nude massage and genital touches. Is there NO possibility of STD in such event. I just want to put this back and move forward WITHOUT TESTING. Thank you!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

13 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. I'll comment on your specific questions below but your questions are largely "what if" questions that have no good answer. Just as there is a possibility that you are going to be struck by lightening today, there is a possibility of syphilis transmission through the sorts of POSSIBLE, not penetrative contacts you list. I would estimate the risk to be about the same as your risk for being struck by lightening as well. Clearly however, as you acknowledge, the internet is not your friend here. Finally, as a preliminary response. if you really want to begin to consider your risk, consider a way to get your masseuse to be tested, even if you need to pay for it. If her tests are negative, there is no risk to you. Given your level of apparent anxiety, it may be worthwhile to do the work needed to get her tested.

1) I am freaking out with STI/STD possibilities as the place wasn’t the greatest in terms of hygiene. It was not bad but not great. 2) Don’t know about the status of the therapist . My Specific questions.

See my comments above

1) Is there absolutely no risk of STDs assuming there is no penetration

Theoretically syphilis or herpes might be transmitted without penetration. There is however NO RISK for gonorrhea, chlamydia or HIV

2) There are many forums who say skin to skin is a risk. I don’t know if the vagina touched my penis. It was dark. It definitely touched my thighs during rubbing. Do hard rubbing increase the risk

See my comments above. Touching her vaginal or being touched by her vaginal or her hands which had vaginal secretions on them is certainly no risk.

3) Most importantly do I need any testing. have huge respect for what you do and I am request a definitive answer internet is full of low risk, possibilities, nicks, cuts etc.

Personally, were I in your situation, I would not pursue testing

4) Lastly I have some ingrown hair with a couple of postules / folliculitis in the pubic area. Would that increase the risk during the massage.

The presence of cuts, scrapes or pustules in no way increases your risk for infection

Hope this information is helpful. EWH

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13 months ago

Dear Doc Hook, I sincerely appreciate your detailed response. My regards to you It helps a lot. I am just using my available responses to gain additional advice. Since I am traveling within India, I have no way to go back and get the masseuse tested. I wish I could do that. That leaves me with your response and I totally trust it. A couple of follow ups

1) Since you say Syphillis and Herpes are theoretically possible, are there any symptoms I should watch for if I don’t test. The reason I ask is 48 hours after the massage, my throat is sore and reddish with body aches. No fever. This could be coincidental but as you said internet is not a friend. When I looked up Syphillis, it says fever, sore throat, body aches could be symptoms. Obviously it does not help. Hence the above question on the symptoms

2) Thank you for being specific on each STI possibility. Can you please clarification specifically on HPV or HSV risk or remaining STIs in this event. It will put my mind to rest.

3) Lastly I don’t want to test but if I am not able to get past the theoretical possibility of Syphillis or Herpes, is there ideal window to test for these two.

Regards

Edward W. Hook M.D.

13 months ago

The internet is full of misinformation. 48 hours is too soon for symptoms of any STI to occur. In terms of both syphilis and herpes, the thing to look for (which I am confident you will not see) are sores or lesions at a site of potential contact. Herpes lesions would occur within 10 days of an exposure, syphilis within 3=4 weeks

2) Thank you for being specific on each STI possibility. Can you please clarification specifically on HPV or HSV risk or remaining STIs in this event. It will put my mind to rest.

HPV is virtually never transmitted through the sort of exposure you describe. Further, as a sexually active adult there is a >80% chance that you already have genital HPV. These infections are innocuous and of little consequence. See my comments on HSV above. I would not worry about other STIs and suspect you are worrying entirely too much

3) Lastly I don’t want to test but if I am not able to get past the theoretical possibility of Syphilis or Herpes, is there ideal window to test for these two.

We strongly recommend AGAINST blood tests for HSV- the tests are frequently falsely positive. Should you develop sores suggestive of genital herpes within 10 days of your encounter, the correct test for herpes is a swab test tested by PCR. If you must test for syphilis a blood test at 4-6 weeks after your encounter will provide accurate information

Please don't worry. You have one follow-up remaining. EWH

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13 months ago

Dear Dr Hook, Thank you for your kindness. This being the last follow up, let me confirm the summary and few questiona and you can add affirmations/comments

1) Any type of erotic massage (body to body, mutual mastrubation, fingering

is NOT a risk for HIV

2) There is a theoretical risk of a couple of STDs through genital skin to skin contact ( not body to body or hand to genital) but it is so low that you do not recommend any testing. Question; Have you ever seen any documented case for STD transmission with handjobs or body to body massage?

3) Pustules in the pubic area ( with one draining - I noticed it later) does NOT increase any risk of STI

4) If you were in my place of such a massage (body to body with handjob) you would not test and move on without any further worry and continue to have sex with wife.

5) Lastly would you ever recommend any STI tests for handjobs or it’s always a no risk act. Asking so I won’t bother you for such massage events if they ever happen.

Thanks to both of you Docs. I promise you have given peace to many anxious minds.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

13 months ago

This is a final reply. You have summarized what I said correctly. There should be no need to return to the Forum with similar questions:

1) Any type of erotic massage (body to body, mutual mastrubation, fingering

is NOT a risk for HIV

Correct

Correct. I have not seen a patient who acquire an STI in the way in over 40 years of practice.

3) Pustules in the pubic area ( with one draining - I noticed it later) does NOT increase any risk of STI

Correct. Your pustules are likely folliculitis

4) If you were in my place of such a massage (body to body with handjob) you would not test and move on without any further worry and continue to have sex with wife.

Correct

5) Lastly would you ever recommend any STI tests for handjobs or it’s always a no risk act. Asking so I won’t bother you for such massage events if they ever happen.

Receipt of masturbation is safe sex and does not put you at risk for STI. There is no scientific reason for testing following receipt of masturbation

This thread is now complete. EWH

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