Confronting STI Stigma: The Impact of Misinformation and Inadequate Education
When it comes to STIs, people will do anything to preserve what they think they know, or what they were taught, even if it’s medically inaccurate.
This is STI stigma, and it’s important to discuss because this ignorance is what keeps people from getting tested and talking to their partners about safer sex.
I wish health class got it right the first time, or at least medically accurate 🥴 Unfortunately, this is the position that many of us find ourselves in: uneducated and unaware.
This ignorance leads to misinformation, rumors, and avoidance of safer sex practices, which I believe is contributing to rising STI rates.
With STI rates rising, it’s important to not only advocate for testing and communicating to our dating partners, but also better health education across the country.