How To Tell Your Partner You May Have An STD
Written By: Jenne

There are some situations in life that many of us would rather never face and having to tell your partner that you tested positive for an STD probably ranks highly among such things, but it's something that needs to be faced for your sake, their sake and the sake of the community.

This is especially true if you are in a regular sexual relationship with your partner as unless they get treated many STD's will simply passed back and forth between you and your partner. It's also worth remembering that many STD's that can be easily treated with antibiotics, if left untreated can cause serious damage to your partners body.

Before you even attempt to tell your partner you need to come to terms with your own diagnoses. It's not realistic to expect them to come to terms with the news if your not comfortable with the diagnosis yourself. Get informed, ask questions of your health giver and if they offer you leaflets /brochures that contain the facts take them.

If your nervous about talking to your partner/s, here are a few tips that may help you gain the confidence you need:

1] Prepare what you are going to say first. Practice makes perfect as they say. Spend some time rehearsing what you are going to say and how.

2] Choose a neutral setting and a time when you won't get distracted or interrupted.

3] Speak with confidence. Don't lecture or act like your confessing, what you are doing is sharing important perennial information.

4] Stay calm. If your upset it's reasonable for your partner to assume that things are worse than you may be letting on.

5] Expect your partner to be supportive. People often react the way you expect them to.

6] Remember the way you deliver the news, your body language becomes part of your message as well.

7] Whenever possible deliver the news in person. Telling your partner over the phone is probably not a good idea! Ask yourself which senario you would prefer.

Be prepared for a variety of reactions from your partner. Of course your diagnoses probably knocked you sideways, but you've had time to adjust and get more info, your partner hasn't as yet. Remember how you felt when you heard the news for the first time and how your health care provider treated you and apply that to your own partners.

Be prepared for shock, denial, anger and pity. Nobody is saying this is going to be easy but give your partner a little time and present them with the facts, allow them to ask questions and hopefully your partner will treat the subject with maturity and concern for both of you. Offer to let them speak to your Doctor or health care provider and talk about the different options you have and any precautions you may have to take.

If your partner decides that he or she is no longer interested in seeing you then try not to blame yourself. Do your best to educate your partner and remember that you did the right thing by telling them. This is not about you or them, it's about being a responsible adult and if your partner was carrying a virus or infection wouldn't you want them to tell you?

Keep things in perspective and remember that STD's like syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea are harmless if treated properly, but if left they can weak havoc on your partners body and anyone else that they may have sexual contact with in the future as they also make it easier to transmit HIV from one partner to another.

Your health care provider will be able to advise you as to which partners if any you should tell about your diagnoses but below is a chart that may help you sort out the facts from the fiction.

*"previous" means anyone who may have been infected or who may have infected you.

Talk to your partner today!