How to Tell Your Date You Have an STD
There's no easy way to tell someone you have an STD, but these tips will help make it a little less difficult.
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You Will Need
- Medical information
- Privacy
- A matter-of-fact approach
- Safe sex
Steps
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Step 1
Have the talk before you have sex, and don't wait until things have gotten hot and heavy.
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Step 2
Break the news in person. Sending the news via text message or e-mail is inappropriate.
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Step 3
Pick a good time and place to break the news – somewhere you can talk privately and without interruption.
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Step 4
Approach the topic in a matter-of-fact way. Don't scare them with a long preamble about how you have something horrible to tell them and you don't know how to do it. Just tell them.
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Stress how common STDs are, especially herpes, chlamydia, and HPV.
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Step 5
Ask them if they've been tested. Many STDs are asymptomatic, so your date might have one and not know it.
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Step 6
Take precautions and use protection to help prevent passing along your STD.
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Step 7
If your date rejects you, accept it and move on. It just means they are not the right person for you.
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Nineteen million new cases of STDs are reported in the U.S. alone each year.
