How to Tell a Former Partner About an STD

If you have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), you're not alone. More than 15 million STD cases are reported in the United States each year. Since undiagnosed diseases can cause serious health problems, you must provide STD disclosure to former sexual partners. Read on to learn how to tell a former partner about an STD.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Remember why you are providing STD information. A few minutes of uncomfortable discussion can prevent some serious medical complications for other people. Hold your head up high because you are doing the right thing.
2. Speak calmly and politely, in person or on the phone, and get right to the point. If you wait, you can become too uncomfortable to disclose the STD.
3. Talk to the person as you would to a doctor, in a matter-of-fact manner and without blame. Even if your former partner passed the disease to you, the person can be unaware of the STD infection. The important issue is to inform the partner of the STD, not to play the blame game.
4. Tell your former partner the name of the disease. If it's not a simple name to remember, have the person write it down.
5. Encourage her to visit her doctor right away. Some diseases progress quickly, even when there are no obvious symptoms.
6. Explain the importance of telling his physician the name of the disease he was exposed to. This ensures a proper evaluation. Do not have him ask his doctor for a simple checkup.
7. Too embarrassed to tell? Check out the InSpot website. See the Resources section below for a link. InSpot allows you to send an Ecard to a former sex partner advising them to check for a sexually transmitted disease. You can send this card with a message, or anonymously if preferred. You can find STD information and resources, as well as local information for treatment in certain areas. Ecards can be sent no matter where you live, just click on any location.

Tips & Warnings

• Some health care professionals contact former partners on your behalf. Check with your doctor or local health department to see if this option is available in your area.
• Ask your doctor how far back in your sexual history you must go when contacting former partners. The window varies by disease.