Shared Responsibilities in Relationships When One Partner Has an STI
Do responsibilities of sexual partners differ if one person has an STI?
There is a social expectation that people living with an STI are the first to disclose and/or are responsible for barriers. This is just that, an expectation. In reality, partners with and without STIs have a shared responsibility.
Both partners living with an STI and without* (*to the best of their knowledge)
• gather informed consent
• share sexual health/STI status
• discuss barriers and birth control
• communicate desires
Partners living with an STI…
• utilize relevant medication (as applicable and if recommended by healthcare provider)