[Question #8078] Exposure
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49 months ago
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Hi. I am a senior who recently read that trichomoniasis and genital warts can be acquired even when using a condom. To my knowledge, I have had neither of these STIs. To the extent I wear a condom, what level of risk do you think there is?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
49 months ago
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Welcome to our forum and thanks for your question. I’ll be glad to comment. I will break down my responses in two separate responses regarding trichomoniasis and genital warts/HPV infection.
Trichamonas first. Indeed trichamonas is a sexually transmitted infection however it is an infection which is very effectively prevented through consistent condom use. If you regularly use condoms I would not worry in the least about trichomoniasis.
HPV/genital warts next. HPV infections are amongst the most common of all STI’s. Over their lives, over 80% of sexually active persons will acquire one or more HPV infections. In most instances these infections are innocuous and resolve spontaneously without treatment over a period of several years after acquisition. You mentioned that you are a senior so I presume that you have had previous sexual partners. Condoms reduce but do not entirely prevent acquisition of HPV. If you have had more than one or two sexual partners in the past, it is more likely than not that you have had HPV infections in the past, whether or not you were aware of it. Unless there are specific concerns, since there is no test for HPV infections in men and because they are so common yet of so little consequence, I would not be concerned about HPV.
In general, we counsel our clients to use condoms consistently and correctly for casual or new sexual relationships. If you were doing this, I encourage you to continue to do so.
I hope this information is helpful. If there are additional questions or my responses are unclear, please feel free to use your up to two follow-up questions for clarification.
Take care. EWH
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49 months ago
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Thanks for the quick response. If HPV is so prevalent, and I have had multiple sex partners over the years, does that indicate I most likely have been infected with the relevant HPV strain at some point and thus would be unlikely to acquire genital warts at this stage of life?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
49 months ago
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Yes, that is correct. EWH ---
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49 months ago
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Wow. That was fast. I do not ejaculate, so sometimes just engage in oral sex or frottage (no clothes version). What STI risks do I expose myself to if I engage in these activities with or without a condom? Thanks.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
49 months ago
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Whether or not you ejaculate or not has no impact on risk for acquisition or not.
The amount of protection provided by condoms depends on the STI. For the STIs transmitted through penetrative sex such as Gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichamonas or HIV, correct and consistent condom use provides nearly complete protection. OTOH, for STIs which are transmitted by direct lesion contact (herpes, Syphilis, HPV) while condoms substantially reduce the risk of infection, protection is less complete because lesions may occur at locations not covered by the condom.
In addition, the type of activity also impacts risk. Frottage and other types of mutual masturbation are virtually no risk events for most STIs. Amongst penetrative sex acts oral sex is considerably lower risk than vaginal or rectal sex.
I hope this information is helpful. As you know, we provide up to three responses to each clients question. This is my third response and therefore this thread will be closed shortly without further responses. Take care. EWH
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