Taking the Drama out of Letting Them Know

With recent National increases of some Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), it seems likely that at some point in your life you may be confronted with the need to tell someone that you’ve got an STI and that they may need testing.

Unsurprisingly, it’s not the easiest thing to do, especially if you weren’t ever planning on seeing them again, or were hoping to be seeing a lot more of them soon.

Unlike with other illnesses, people don’t necessarily rally around those with a STI. Many people feel guilty, isolated or ashamed.

To some it’s a genuine surprise that they’ve even been exposed to an STI, especially with many people not being aware that infections like herpes or genital warts still carry a transmission risk when using condoms.

Shame, embarrassment and fear can over-ride the response or feeling of responsibility to notify those you’ve been in recent sexual contact with.

For some, the challenge is in notifying that someone you’re interested in.

When exactly is a good time to break the STI news: over a candle-lit date, in that Grindr chat window, or between throwing his shirt to the floor and tearing off his jeans?

The truth is, there is rarely a perfect time and there are always more seemingly pressing topics of conversation to share with a potential mate.

For many others, the real challenge is in contacting past partners. Just bumping into an ex on the street is awkward enough, let alone having to contact them out of the blue, to chat about what you might have picked up from them – or what you might have left behind.

Well, there now exists an answer, or in the very least an option for those who just can’t get past the difficulties of telling a past sexual partner that they have an STI.

Logging onto www.thedramadownunder.info/notify/ allows you to notify your sexual partners – either anonymously or with your name - via SMS or email.

Whilst this option may not be right for everyone, it may just be the difference between informing a sexual partner or not.

This option can also suit those being told as it less confrontational than telling them in person but also provides support and reliable information.

In the least, I hope this website will encourage you to keep up with testing for STIs regularly and empower some of you to inform your own sexual partners.