Dating with STDs… no problem!
When ever you have enough people wanting anything, there is a market niche created which others will choose to exploit (not necessarily in a bad way). Well, with all the online dating sites, people who now suffer from HIV Disease (AIDS), Herpes or other incurable but treatable sexually transmitted diseases can now find like partners to share their lives with. This solves one problem at the expense of creating another.
Sobering STDs Facts
I do remember reading while back that there is a 50% chance of being infected with at least one STD throughout our lifetime, some are treatable, some are not. Before we delve into the world of dating with STDs, let’s review a few key facts thanks to the Center for Disease Control:
- condoms do not ELIMINATE the risk of acquiring an STD but they are an effective method towards reducing risk
- abstinence is not 100% effective but the best method of STD prevention
- pregnancy provides NO protection against STDs and may be harmful to the child while passing thought the birth canal
- one in every 250 people living in the United States has HIV Disease (2/3 don’t know it)
- most STD carriers show no symptoms, hence most don’t know they got them
- STDs are common across all age, race, sexual orientation, social and economic backgrounds
- acquiring STDs don’t just happen “down there”, for instance, Gonorrhea can also infect the eye and live in our mouths while HIV Disease can be acquired by sharing bodily fluids (ei: blood transfusion)
- acquiring one STD increases the risk of acquiring more
- herpes infection in the USA are 25% for woman, 20% for men!
Dating with STDs
People with STDs often feel alone and once over the initial shock of diagnosis, find it hard to find new partners. STDs become a huge barrier to dating the general public hence why dating sites catering to those suffering from an STD are booming online.
Giving hope where there is little
Some STDs are curable, so for those people, regular dating sites are fine but if you suffer from Herpes, Syphilis or a host of other diseases, these sites give hope to those who may have a tough time otherwise.
If you got HIV Disease for instance, I think it would be far better to live out the rest of your 10 – 15 years sharing the experience with a lover instead of sitting next to a window waiting for the Grim Reaper to make an appearance. I think these sites are also a fantastic ice breaker as well, you don’t have to deal with “when do I tell my partner I have XYZ” as you both have the condition on a site specializing in it.
STD Dating Sites
Unlike most online dating sites that cater finding your equal, many of these sites also serve a dual purpose of sharing and community. One thing that irks me is why few of these sites have any “about us” page, if you suffer from a disease as personal as an STD, wouldn’t you want to know a bit about the background before revealing yourself to the online world?
hivpassions.com
A 100% FREE online dating & social networking site for HIV Positive Singles. Being HIV+ doesn’t mean the end to dating, or making new friends. Sign up now to enjoy free chat, message boards and email.
herpespassions.com
A 100% FREE online dating & social networking site specifically for singles who have herpes. 1 out of every 5 women in the U.S. have herpes, and 1 out of every 4 men…so there are plenty of people dealing with this issue. Herpes Passions is here to help singles with either HSV-1, HSV-2, or both, meet one another. Based on statistics, you’re pretty likely to meet people with herpes on any dating site you join, but on this one, people know about it ahead of time.
mpwh.com
Meet People with Herpes is a huge online community of people where fantastic friendships are made. Although set up as a dating and social website, it has become a caring community of thousands of people. Participation can be as anonymous as you want, and membership is free, although there is a fee for upgraded services.
PositiveSingles.com
This is an exclusive community for singles and friends with STDs. Here you can get on with your life and meet new friends, partners or potential spouses. If you just need to find someone to talk to or give them help or advice, this is the best place. Never feel lonely again!
positivespot.com
Welcome To PositiveSpot the premier Online community specifically designed for men and women living with STD’s. Standard Membership is free and no credit card required. Instantly create your own personal profile with photos, video and audio.. Find a date, a lasting friendship or soul mate.
PozCity.com
Providing a community for those with HIV/AIDS. Join Now and meet others make new friends, or meet your soulmate.
PozGroup
PozGroup.com is a place where you can find friendship, support, and even love with STD. HPV dating, STD dating, Herpes dating, STD singles, Herpes picture, STD relationship, STD match, STD marriage.
stdmatch.net
We understand at times it is difficult especially in the beginning stages of learning about herpes or if you have been rejected in the past. That is why we created STD Match! Find others in your area today who have herpes and share your outlook on dating. It is free to join and you can start communicating right away in our forums! Then sign up for direct anonymous communicating and more features. Sign up today FREE!
stdpassions.com
A free online dating & social networking site where singles with STD’s can meet. Having a sexually transmitted disease does not mean the end of loving relationships. Sign up now to enjoy free chat, message boards and email.
The Bottom Line
Where there is a will, there is a way.
Reference
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/02/27/std.internet/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/std/
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yes, i find many singles living with Herpres or other STD on stdpal.com have successfully found their matches here. When I browsed their stories, i was greatly encouraged by their stuggle
I liked your research. I have hepatitis C and the numbers of people in canada that are around my age is very small. You provided me with a few more sites to check out. Thanks I live in Ottawa.
I think this is a good thing for those people living with an untreatable STD. If someone is able to find their soul mate on these sites is great. I hope the people on these sites are not using it as an opening for a sexual encounter.
I hope your comment sends you more business… people should get tested if they perform activities that put them at risk.
Jon
Thats great that people who are diganosed with an STD have a place to go and talk to someone who is going through the samething and possible find someone to be with. Not only people that are infected should be tested regular but anyone that is sexually actived.
Here is an idea. Never discuss other people you are dating. Before you establish an exclusivity rule, the others you might be dating should always remain separate.
Hmmm, interesting rule Audrey! Thanks for your comment! I do believe though that IF you have a STD, that should be at the very least mentioned on the first meeting though. These are nasty things and affect more than just yourself when dating a new partner… and some don’t even need any sexual activity to get transmitted.
Jon
I can share a lot of these instances with you. People can be so rude.
Telling your partner you could have genital herpes could possibly be one particular of the hardest things about getting diagnosed with the sickness. Whether you might have been together for years, or you’re just commencing out, the conversation will probably be difficult–but it is 1 you should have.