What is my possible STD risk?

By Anonymous September 9, 2013 - 12:58am

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Hi,
The other day I had a brief sexual encounter with a guy friend that I have known for a while, but do not really know his sexual history all that well or how often he practices safe sex. I do know that he has had multiple partners, however. The extent of our sexual activity does not go beyond outercourse, or in this instance, "dry humping" or frottage. We both started off fully clothed, but he removed both of our shorts, leaving us both in our underwear. I was wearing a panty shield in addition to my panties. After participating in frottage in our underwear for a short time, I felt him reach down and expose his penis through the fly of his boxers. From the movements of the activity, my own underwear was pulled relatively tight, and I'm afraid there may have been some skin-on-skin contact of the tip of his penis, and my outer labia around the outside of my underwear, but not the inner or moist parts of my vagina. From what I could feel, there didn't appear to be any fluids from either him or me, since the fabric from before probably kept things dry. And I made him stop because I didn't want him to feel free to go ahead and create more exposure since he was unprotected. Since there was no fluid exchange, I'm not too worried about a large range of STDs/STIs, but how concerned should I be about Herpes and HPV since those are typically spread through skin contact? He claimed that he was clean, but he never said whether he has been officially tested, or if he's ever had unprotected exposure before. I also wasn't able to inspect his genitals before the contact, so I can't say whether there were any signs of outbreak (though there were none around his mouth). I do not have reason to suspect him of having an STD or STI, but the ambiguity of his sexual past has me worried. I had been planning on getting screened for STDs anyway, but after this exposure, I'd like to also know what STD/STI tests I should ask for, if not all of them? Thanks for your help.

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Anonymous

Hi Anon,

Welcome to EmpowHER. Dry humping is still relatively safe against pregnancy, but it is possible to pass on certain diseases that are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. STDs can be broken down into two groups: Diseases that are spread by bodily fluids. Such as blood, vaginal secretions, and semen. Diseases that are spread by skin-to-skin contact: HIV, Chlamydia and gonorrhea can only be spread by infected bodily fluids, but there are many other diseases that can be spread by infected skin rubbing on uninfected skin. These diseases include: Herpes, HPV, Syphilis. It’s important to continue monitoring your body and if you were to feel any symptoms or still feel concerned. You might want to visit your OBGYN.

Best,

Daisy

September 9, 2013 - 3:40am