Scarleteen

I just had my first sexual experiences beyond kissing. I received cunnilingus and manual stimulation...am I at risk for STIs from either/both?
This was overall a very positive experience that made me feel good, but I am also (always) worried about staying safe.

Hi totaltornado,

I'm glad the experience was a positive one! Both oral sex and manual sex can pose a risk of STI transmission. You can read more about that, as well as the risks (and non-risks) of other activities here: Can I Get Pregnant, or Get or Pass On an STI From That?

If safer sex is an ongoing concern of your, do you feel comfortable asking your partner to use barriers, such as condoms and dental dams?

Thanks for the link! And for all the advice you guys offer- I have come here a lot to learn things.
Also looks like I'm going to have to get comfortable asking him.

You're welcome! If you're interested in some tools to help you have that conversation, check these out: All the Barriers! All the Time! , Be a Blabbermouth! The Whats, Whys and Hows of Talking About Sex With a Partner.

And if you want to talk some about what you think you need to get comfortable talking about safer sex with a partner -- or any barriers you think you have to feeling able to do that -- we can absolutely do that with you here. It isn't always easy to figure out HOW to get comfortable asking, or to figure out how to ask anyway even if you aren't totally comfortable doing so.

Thanks! My plan is to just come right out and ask- same way I did when I asked if he had anything (just bowled right through and went for it). By the way, he said he was clean and while I trust him, I'm going to get tested the next time I'm at the doctor's just to play it safe. Is six months too long to wait for that?

Ah, the rip-the-band-aid-off method of doing a thing you're not comfortable with. Always a favorite of mine. Certainly gets the job done and the elephant in the room addressed efficiently!

I don't think six months out is an issue, personally, especially given the activities here were very low risk, but if you don't want to wait that long, you could certainly get that care sooner.

“Very low risk” is music to my ears! Thank you for helping to ease some of my anxieties!!

Happy to help.