However, that is not necessarily a reason to avoid a relationship with someone.
The way a partner handles that diagnosis can give you a good idea of his or her character.
It can also help you figure out whether your relationship is a good one.
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There are abusive individuals who will use STIs to try and control or injure their partners.
It may also be done by using a partners existing STI to erode their sense of self-worth.
It doesnt matter if their actions come out of feelings of insecurity or self-loathing.
For instance, this often happens if someone has anasymptomatic diseasethat they are unaware of.
While such situations may be betrayals of trust and failures of communication, they are not always abusive.
Some typical quotes:
Dont believe the lies.
Many people with STIs who are open and honest about their diagnoses have found other lovingsexual and romanticrelationships.
STIs are extremely common.
Some people do not consider an STI a deal-breaker.
Its true that some people you might want to date will not be able to deal with yourSTI diagnosis.
However, that doesnt mean that it is impossible to find love.
People will often choose to take reasonable risks to be with someone they care about.
Those risks may include the chance of being exposed to an STI.
It often doesnt seem like such a big deal when youre choosing to be with someone you love.
There are ways to get help both with your infection and to get out of the relationship.
STIs do not make you a bad person, a dirty person, or someone unworthy of love.
STIs are not a punishment for having sex.
They are not a sign that you dont deserve to be happy.
Or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women.Committee opinion no.
554: reproductive and sexual coercion.Obstet Gynecol.
Planned Parenthood.How do I tell my partner I have an STI?.
