STD Myths

March 24, 2011
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When it comes to STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) there are still a lot of misperceptions and misunderstandings. It’s important we know the truth about STDs so that we can take control of our own health and well-being. So let’s clear up some of the myths.


10 Myths about STDs:

1. I can’t get STDs from oral sex. Actually, you can. STDs can be transmitted from genital-to-genital contact, from oral-to-genital contact, or from skin-to-skin contact. If you’re having any kind of sex at all – or if you’re having any kind of intimate skin-to-skin contact – talk to your doctor about being screened for STDs.


2. Using a condom protects against STDs. This is a common misperception, but it just isn’t true. STDs like herpes and genital warts can break out in areas that a condom doesn’t cover, so a condom won’t completely protect you from them.


3. Two condoms are better than one. Some people think if one condom can’t completely protect you from an STD, then layered condoms will double the protection. This isn’t true. Using two condoms actually offers less protection than one. Why? Because the two condoms will rub against each other and the friction will weaken both condoms.


4. The birth control pill protects against STDs. Though the pill works pretty well at preventing pregnancy, it can’t protect you against any STD.


5. I can tell whether my partner has an STD. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. You can’t tell if someone has an STD just by looking at them. Often, many STDs don’t even have any symptoms, so your partner may not even know he or she has an STD. The only way to know for sure whether you have an STD is by being tested, and the only way you can know for sure whether a partner has an STD is if that person is also tested.


6. Chlorine in a hot tub or swimming pool kills sperm and anything that causes an STD. This has been a popular urban legend, but it just isn’t true. Chlorine isn’t a spermicide. It doesn’t kill sperm. And though chlorine does help disinfect the water and kills some bacteria, it doesn’t protect you from an STD. Actually, because the water in a hot tub or pool decreases your body’s natural lubrication, you’re more likely to get tiny micro-abrasions in your genital area from the friction of sex, which makes you more susceptible to an STD.


7. I’ve only had sex with one person, so there’s no way I have an STD. Just as you can get pregnant by having sex one time, you can contract an STD any time you have sex – even the first time. If the one person you’ve had sex with has an STD, you’re at risk of also getting that STD. And some STDs can be spread by skin-to-skin contact, so you don’t even have to have full sexual intercourse to get those STDs.


8. I’ve only had a couple sexual partners, and I plan to stay with my current boyfriend forever, and I don’t have any symptoms, so I don’t have to worry about STDs. Any time you’ve had sex with someone, you’ve been exposed to any STDs that person has. And because so many STDs don’t have any overt symptoms, a lot of people don’t even know they have an STD. The only way to know for sure whether you have an STD is to be screened by a medical professional. And the only way to know for sure if your partner has an STD is for him or her to be screened.


9. I’ve been sexually active for a long time and I’ve had several partners. I’d definitely know by now if I had an STD. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. As we’ve said, many STDs don’t have any symptoms that you’d notice.


10. I can’t have more than one STD. This is also false. Actually, it’s common for two or more STDs to go hand-in-hand and be present at the same time. That’s why doctors usually screen for multiple STDs and consider you at risk for other STDs if you’re diagnosed with one.

STDs are common – especially among young people. According to the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/std/life-stages-populations/stdfact-teens.htm), there are about 20 million new cases of STDs each year in the United States. About half of those – 10 million infections – are among people ages 15 – 24. It’s important for you to know the facts so you can protect yourself.


The only way to completely protect yourself from getting an STD is to not have any kind of sex – anal, oral, or vaginal – and to avoid intimate skin-to-skin contact. If you do decide to have sex, it’s important that both you and your partner are tested for STDs beforehand and that you are both committed to a mutually monogamous relationship – this means you both agree and commit to only ever having any kind of sex with each other.



Have you heard some information about STDs and you’re wondering if it’s true or a myth? Ask us about it in the comments below or call us in Kearney at 308-234-9880 or in Grand Island at 308-675-2217. We’d love to help you be informed so that you can take charge of your sexual health.

September 30, 2026
If you took the first abortion pill, it’s possible to start wishing you hadn’t. The regret may have hit you immediately, or it might have taken a few hours to realize that you want to continue the pregnancy. Either way, there may still be something you can do: abortion pill reversal (APR) may be an option. The first drug used in the abortion pill regimen is usually mifepristone. If you have taken mifepristone but now want to continue your pregnancy, call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network at 1-877-558-0333 right away. Their Helpline is available 24/7 and can connect you with a medical provider who can administer APR. If You Have Only Taken the First Pill Mifepristone works by blocking progesterone. Progesterone helps maintain the lining of the uterus during pregnancy. When this hormone is blocked, the uterine lining thins, and the pregnancy ends. The second drug in the abortion pill regimen is misoprostol , which causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Abortion pill reversal involves giving progesterone after mifepristone in an effort to allow the pregnancy to continue. Don’t Wait for Symptoms Before Calling You may wonder whether you should wait before deciding what to do. But if you want to try to continue the pregnancy, call first.  It’s critical to start the protocol as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours of taking mifepristone. However, you should still call even when more time has passed; it may not be too late. A medical provider can determine whether APR may still be appropriate. Does Reversal Always Work? Abortion pill reversal cannot guarantee that the pregnancy will continue. One published study reported ongoing pregnancy rates of approximately 64% to 68% with certain progesterone regimens, but individual outcomes vary. The important thing is to get medical guidance quickly rather than trying to determine your chances on your own. What if You Already Took Misoprostol? If you have already taken misoprostol, contact a healthcare professional promptly and explain exactly what you took and when. You should also seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms that concern you or believe you may be experiencing a medical emergency. Make the Call Now Changing your mind after taking mifepristone can be frightening, especially when you’re unsure whether there is still time to act. You don’t need to figure that out yourself. Call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network at 1-877-558-0333 as soon as possible and tell them when you took mifepristone. They can explain whether abortion pill reversal may still be an option and connect you with an appropriate provider. You can also contact Collage if you need someone to speak with while you work through your next steps. We’re here to help you. *Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. **All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
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Seeing another positive pregnancy test after having had a past abortion may bring up memories or emotions from that experience. If you already know you don’t want another abortion, you may be wondering what other choices you have and whether either feels realistic for your life right now. You have time to learn about your options and the available support. Collage is here to give you a place to discuss your circumstances so you can decide what’s right for you. Schedule a no-cost appointment today to learn more about your pregnancy and what your next steps could look like. And read on to learn more about your pregnancy options besides abortion. Consider What Parenting Would Require You may want to parent but have concerns about whether you can make it work. Finances, housing, childcare, your relationship, work, or school can all influence how possible this option feels right now. Before deciding that those challenges make parenting unrealistic, it can help to identify your biggest concerns individually. Some of those concerns may have solutions you haven’t considered yet. Think about the support you already have, along with what you would need during pregnancy and after your baby arrives. Knowing where the gaps are can make it easier to find resources rather than trying to solve everything at once. Learn More About Adoption If you don’t want another abortion but aren’t ready to parent, adoption is another option. Today, a woman making an adoption plan can have a significant role in deciding what that plan looks like. Depending on the type of adoption, you may be able to choose an adoptive family and decide what level of contact you would like after placement. Open, semi-open, and closed adoption offer different levels of communication and privacy. Speaking with a licensed adoption professional can help you understand these differences, your rights, and what the process would involve before you make any commitments. Discuss Your Options in a Confidential Space Having had an abortion before does not mean you have to make the same pregnancy decision again. Your feelings, circumstances, priorities, or perspective may be different this time. If you know you don’t want another abortion, start by learning what parenting and adoption could realistically look like in your current situation. Collage provides a place to talk about your pregnancy and the concerns influencing your decision. We can also connect you with adoption agencies and community organizations that provide the support you’re seeking. Reaching out doesn’t lock you into a specific decision. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Collage today to get your questions answered and explore the options available to you. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.
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