Venereal diseases

Different venereal diseases are transmitted in different ways. Some are passed on more easily than others. It is difficult to say exactly how great the risk is of getting or passing on a venereal disease, one reason being that people often have different types of sex at one and the same time.

Venereal diseases can be transmitted when body fluids come in contact with mucous membranes or when mucous membranes come in contact with other mucous membranes. The body fluids that can transmit venereal diseases are semen, pre-ejaculate, vaginal mucus and sometimes blood.

There are mucous membranes around the urethral meatus, on the inside of the foreskin, anus, vagina, mouth, throat and eyes. Generally speaking, you are at most risk of getting a venereal disease if you have unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse. But you can also get venereal disease from oral sex, manual sex, sexual rubbing or via sex toys.

There are some venereal diseases that result in no or very little discomfort, which is why it is advisable to be examined and tested regularly if you have sex in a way that involves the possible transmission of sexual disease. If you have a venereal disease, there is a greater risk of also getting other venereal diseases and HIV.