Help! My Partner Tested Positive for an STD

STDs are extremely common, affecting millions of Americans every year. Still, that doesn't make a diagnosis of an STD any easier, and when it’s your partner who’s been diagnosed, you can feel a range of emotions and reactions in addition to concerns about your own health.

At Feminine Urgicare, our team knows how upsetting an STD diagnosis can be, whether it happens to you or to someone you love. In this post, we offer some tips to help you cope and stay healthy following a partner’s STD diagnosis.

Stay calm

Learning that your partner has an STD is a nerve-racking experience. Not only are you concerned for your partner’s wellness, but you’re also concerned about your own health. Depending on the nature of your relationship, you may have feelings of anger or betrayal. 

The good news is that most STDs are easily treated with medication. For now, try not to panic and work through your emotions, giving yourself some “alone time” if needed to process those emotions and avoid negative reactions.

Get tested

The next step is to call our office to schedule STD testing right away. Many STDs don’t cause symptoms initially, so it’s possible to have an infection without knowing it. Getting tested immediately means you can begin treatment sooner.

Best of all, testing is quick and easy. Plus, during your visit, our team can address your concerns and anxieties and let you know about treatment options if your test indicates you have an infection.

Practice safe sex

For some people, learning their partner has an STD poses serious challenges for their relationship. If you decide to remain sexually active with your partner, it’s important to use condoms and incorporate other safe sex practices during treatment (for both you and your partner). You may also decide to continue safe sex even after the infection has cleared.

Communicate with your partner

The revelation of an STD can take a toll on your relationship, including your feelings of trust. Discussing your concerns openly with your partner can support emotional healing, and depending on how and when your partner became infected, you might also consider couples counseling.

Prioritize self-care

There’s no denying that STDs can cause a lot of stress, even if you haven’t “caught” the infection yourself. Take time to prioritize your own self-care by practicing meditation, yoga, or simply engaging in an activity that helps manage stress and keep you calm.

Know the facts

Part of controlling your emotional responses relies on being educated about STDs. The fact is that STDs are extremely common, affecting millions of Americans every year. 

What’s more, some STDs can remain dormant for some time or cause few or no symptoms early on, which means your partner may have contracted the infection before your relationship even began.

Take some time to learn about the STD, including its transmission, the symptoms, when symptoms appear, how it’s treated, and what you can do to prevent future infections. 

Being educated is essential for helping you make key decisions about your future health, and it can also give you a lot of peace of mind.

To learn more about STD testing, treatment, and prevention or to schedule STD testing, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Feminine Urgicare in Paramus, New Jersey, today.