Having some very very bad thoughts about STIs. I’ve only ever had one sexual partner and that was my ex, and we had a serious relationship. However, he had four other partners before me and even though he said he’d been tested I still panic. Now, due to some spotting that happens after I do stuff on my own, I’m starting to really panic that I have an STI. He sweet talked/guilt tripped me into having sex without a condom a couple of times, which I really REALLY didn’t like but because of my OCD I can be made to feel guilty so easily and so I caved. Now all I’m doing is panicking thinking I have an STI even though I’ve only had sex whilst in a monogamous relationship. Just, help. I need something to put my mind at ease because I’m terrified.

I’m the same . Regular testing can help ease the anxiety, if you can face that get into a routine of going every 6 months or yearly for a full check up. Remember STI are treatable with medication. I do still fear the contamination part of it and prefer protection but I find regular check ups really do help keep this one under control.

Don’t let getting tested become a compulsion, if you’re not having sex, there’s no need to get yourself tested again and again. It can get out of control pretty quickly. You could make an appointment with an obgyn instead to see why you’re having these issues. He/she can tell you when it is truly necessary to run some tests.

It’s highly unlikely I agree, there are risks of course but it’s easy for us to be more alarmed than non ocd sufferers. I hope, and I’m sure you will be fine, and I think that any reasonable human wouldn’t put another at risk. I gues casual encounters are more risky as you don’t know the history of the person. Of course I sound very calm, but I have been exactly like you about it in the last year so I do understand your concerns. My tests came out all fine. I wish you all the best with yours.

The problem is people without ocd don’t always understand our fears. I agree there’s no need to check regularly if you are not doing anything. I did find looking at statistics helped me a bit to try and understand the risks, I do know that statistics can also be flawed. The annual testing I do is more of a routine now for me because I did find testing quite stressful.i hope you’re feeling less anxious now x