Liam,
I'm sorry you felt my post was a rant. My concern is that the same risky behavior that puts you at risk for STDs puts you at risk for HIV/AIDS. Some people seem so very casual in a *shrug their shoulders* way about continuing to expose themselves once having had some initial exposure and it scares me that they don't understand the consequences. I am so very glad you do.
The literature I read did not give percentages on the cancer rates but since I have had friends and family members who have had experiences that included cancer as a results of the long term effects of HPV so it does not seem so remote. Could you link me to those rates?
The last statistics I was given in college about 3 years ago on STD were that one in four college students had one. That number was to be higher than the general population from what I understood. These are some older US statistics regarding first time office visits for person being diagnosed
http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/tables/table47.htm
Here are some more current UK statistics
http://www.avert.org/stdstatisticuk.htm
and old worldwide statistics
http://www.avert.org/stdstatisticsworldwide.htm
I found this great info sheet
http://www.siecus.org/pubs/fact/FS_truth_about_stds.pdf at this website
http://www.thewellproject.org/Disea...ditions/STD.jsp
I understand your point that condoms are not 100% effective at removing the risk of spreading some of the viral STDs but my point was that future sex partners should be told prior to exposure that you made those choices and that by having sex with you, protected or not now, they risk STDs, vaginal & anal dysplasia, and cancer.
I think dialogue about this is wonderful. I'm sorry you felt I was stern but I personally think this is a highly overlooked topic. I am someone running a sex/erotica site. It would be irresponsible of me not to mention the risks associated with having unprotected sex with someone who is known to be infected with an STD. It has not been that long since I nervously awaited news from a friend regarding her possible HIV status because she had made a similar choice. That may have influenced my tone.
I think your assumption that because you visit a sex site the people there will ether mimic the STD statistics or possibly have had more exposure, might not be accurate. I think many of the members of sites like this are very sexually aware and not necessarily overly sexually active (at least with a partner
). Many come here for a release of sorts. So that may have something to do with your lack of responses saying, "Me Too!" Also you may want to consider the fact that the bacterial STDs unlike the one you are exposed to are curable and since most people contracting an STD are under 30 and our membership here is primarily over that age, the possibility that the members here have a viral STD may not be as high as at a site with a younger population.
I think the fact that you are seeking support from others who are in a similar relationship shows a maturity that will enable you to make good choices in the future. I would suggest you look to your local heath authority for support groups for people living with STDs. Both you and your lady may benefit from finding a peer group that is experiencing the same hurdles you two are.
I applaud you for seeking information from others and if you think my post somehow prevented open dialogue, I surely apologize but having seen similar posts from people in your shoes, I think the likelihood of you getting the information and support you need from a website is small.