When you think of things to get for the holidays, most people think of a great scarf, a new gadget, or a gift card to a nice restaurant.
They tend not to think about getting an STD.
However, for many people at the holidays, this ends up being the case.
The rate of STD transmission tends to increase during the holiday season, from early to mid-December and the first few weeks of the new year. Holidays of any kind can lead to increased transmission of STDsfor various reasons.
But why does this happen? Keep reading to find out.
Don’t let the holiday season go to waste. Get tested for STDs today.
What are STDs?
To understand why STDs increase during the holiday season, we need to understand how they work.
Most STDs are transmitted through sexual activity, which is a fancy term for vaginal and anal sex and, to a lesser extent, oral sex and sharing sex toys. You can also get some STDs from foreplay, such as manual stimulation of a partner’s genitals. This is how infections such as HPV and herpes can spread.
You are most likely to get an STD when you have unprotected sex. Without protection, there is no physical barrier between you and your sexual partner, massively increasing the ability of pathogens to enter your body.
Here’s a list of some of the more common STDs if you want to learn more about each infection, their symptoms, and how they can spread:
Why are STDs more likely to spread during the holidays?
Experts warn that STDs increase during the holiday season due to various factors, leading to increased number of examinations and diagnoses in December and January. Here are some of the most common factors that cause infections during the holiday season.
Increased consumption of drugs and alcohol
A risk factor for STD transmission is increased drug and alcohol use. These substances are incredibly popular during the holiday season.
At the end of the year, more people socialize and go out than any other point. Alcohol can act as a social lubricant for most people, and taking drugs can often enhance social experiences in other ways.
However, these substances also lower your inhibitions and are strongly associated with unsafe and risky sexual behavior.
If you’re at an office Christmas party and you’re drinking heavily, you’re more likely to make decisions that you wouldn’t make if you were sober. This can often mean that people have sex with people they may not want to, in situations they normally wouldn’t, under the influence of alcohol and other substances. putting yourself in these situations makes it more likely that you will be exposed to STDs.
Reduced condom use
If you are under the influence of alcohol or just in the mood, you are more likely to engage in sexual relations that you did not intend.
A corollary to this is that if you didn’t intend to have sex with someone, you might not be prepared.
People are less likely to use protection during the holiday season. If you don’t use a condom during a new sexual encounter, you are much more likely to be exposed to an STD.
Exposure to new sexual networks
If you’re going out at Christmas parties, you’re more likely to mingle in other social and sexual networks, either through work or common gathering places such as bars, pubs or dance clubs. Being in these situations can increase the likelihood of intercourse.
How to avoid STDs
If you want to protect yourself from STDs this holiday season, there are some tried and true tips you can follow.
- Use condoms: Using a condom will drastically reduce the chance of transmitting STDs during intercourse. Make sure the condoms you use have not expired and that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application. Do not reuse condoms – use a new condom after each use.
- Don’t overuse drugs or alcohol: Impairing your judgment by drinking too much alcohol can often lead to choices you may later regret.
- Avoid sex with multiple partners: In addition to having unprotected sex with a new partner, having unprotected sex with multiple partners will increase the chance of exposure.
- Have conversations with any new sexual partners about your STD status: Although it can dampen the mood, talking to a new sexual partner about the state of your sexual health can help ensure that you and your partner are on the same page and that you’re not taking any risks you don’t want to.
When to take the test
If you’re concerned about recent intercourse, Better2Know recommends waiting between them 14-28 days before the examination.
Testing too early can lead to a false negative result. This is because the pathogen has not had enough time to reach detectable levels in your system. Someone who is tested a few days after intercourse may have a negative result. They may then carry this infection to another sexual relationship, passing it on without knowing it.
Where to take the test
Better2Know offers some convenient ways to get tested for STDs.
You can make an appointment at one of our locations private sexual health clinics. You should be able to find one near you using our handy map feature. You can be tested for a wide variety of STDs and more get your test results the same day.
You can also take advantage of one of our comprehensive home test kits. Our test kits can screen for more than twice the number of STDs than your average home test kit, giving you clarity and peace of mind about your sexual health. Take a look at ours Platinum screen for better coverage.
You may also want to consider us Service everywherewhere we send a private nurse to your chosen location to collect your samples.
Final thoughts
You should enjoy your holidays, but be aware of the risks of any new intercourse if you are concerned about your sexual health.
Need to talk to someone today? Call the number at the top of this page to speak to one of our trained sexual health counselors. They can discuss your situation with you and help you determine a plan of action that will protect your sexual health.
You can also make an appointment today by clicking the button below.
Put your mind at ease with our comprehensive STD coverage. Make an appointment at a sexual health clinic near you.
