Table of Contents
Key Takeaways 1. Retirement Homes Are a Hotbed for STIs 2. There Used to Be Entire Hospitals Just for STIs 3. You Can’t Get an STI from a Toilet Seat 4. But You Can Get One from Oral Sex 5. STIs Have Been Around Since… Forever 6. You Can Be Infected and Not Know It 7. HPV Isn’t Just a “Women’s” Issue 8. STI Stigma Is More Dangerous Than the Infections 9. Antibiotic-Resistant STIs Are a Growing Threat 10. Semen Taste Can Be Affected by STIs (and Other Stuff) Wrap-Up Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
STIs can affect people of all ages including seniors
You can’t catch them from toilet seats but oral sex can transmit them
Many STIs show no symptoms so regular testing is essential
STI stigma causes more harm than the infections themselves
There's historical weirdness from old STI hospitals to antibiotic-resistant strains
You’ve probably heard the basics: wrap it up, get tested, avoid suspicious rashes. But Sexually Transmitted Infections have a long, strange history and some surprisingly modern twists. Whether you're a walking WebMD or someone who still thinks you can catch chlamydia from a toilet seat (spoiler: you can’t), this one's for you.
Let’s get into 10 STI facts that’ll leave your jaw on the floor and your pants responsibly fastened.
1. Retirement Homes Are a Hotbed for STIs
You read that right. Grandpa isn’t just playing shuffleboard. He’s also playing the field. Sexually Transmitted Infections are on the rise in retirement communities, with rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis spiking among the 65 and older crowd.
Why? The risk of pregnancy is gone, erectile dysfunction meds are flowing like prune juice at brunch, and no one’s having The Talk with the bingo crowd. But hey, sexually active seniors? We love to see it. Just don’t forget the condom.
Popstar Pro Tip: If you’re anywhere near retirement or just planning ahead, remember that age doesn't exempt you from testing. It just makes you wise enough to know better.
2. There Used to Be Entire Hospitals Just for Sexually Transmitted Infections
In the 1800s and early 1900s, some cities had “venereal disease hospitals.” And they weren’t exactly the Four Seasons.
These places were usually grim, highly stigmatized, and disproportionately targeted women. Some patients were even detained against their will under laws aimed at controlling “immorality.” A historical fun fact that’s somehow both fascinating and rage-inducing.
3. You Can’t Get an STI from a Toilet Seat
Let’s retire this myth already. Unless you’re doing things to that toilet seat that are not FDA-approved, the germs don’t work that way.
Sexually Transmitted Infections need direct skin-to-skin or fluid-to-fluid contact. So while the toilet at the gas station might give you anxiety, it won’t give you gonorrhea. Sit easy.
4. But You Can Get One from Oral Sex
Yes, even the stuff you learned in high school health class was trying to downplay. STIs like gonorrhea, herpes, and syphilis can all be transmitted through oral sex.
If your idea of protection during oral is hoping for the best, it might be time to reevaluate. There are ways to reduce the risk including condoms, dental dams, and routine testing.
5. STIs Have Been Around Since… Forever
STIs aren’t some modern inconvenience invented to ruin your spring break. Syphilis may have originated in the New World and was brought back to Europe by Columbus’s crew (yikes). Gonorrhea dates back to ancient Greek texts, and herpes has been with us since the dinosaurs or at least since the dinosaurs with opposable thumbs.
In short: if you’ve ever had an STI, you’re participating in a long, weird, global tradition. Congratulations?
6. You Can Be Infected and Not Know It
A huge number of Sexually Transmitted Infection cases are asymptomatic. Translation: you can have one, not feel a thing, and pass it on to someone else.
This is especially true for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HPV. That’s why regular testing is key even if everything seems fine below the belt. Waiting until there’s a rash, discharge, or unexplained burn is kind of like waiting for your check engine light to come on before adding oil. You can do better.
Timing tip: Get tested every 3 to 6 months if you're sexually active with multiple partners. Once a year if you're in a monogamous relationship, unless something changes.
7. HPV Isn’t Just a “Women’s” Issue
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) gets a lot of attention in relation to cervical cancer, but it can affect anyone with genitals, which is, last we checked, most of us.
HPV can lead to genital warts, throat cancers, and anal cancers in people of all genders. Men are often asymptomatic carriers, which is why the vaccine is recommended for everyone. You’re not exempt, bro.
8. STI Stigma Is More Dangerous Than the Infections
Most Sexually Transmitted Infections are treatable, and many are curable. The bigger problem? Shame. Embarrassment. That “I can’t tell my partner” feeling.
Stigma is what stops people from getting tested, from telling their partners, from getting treatment. That’s where things get messy.
Having an STI doesn’t make you dirty, irresponsible, or gross. It makes you human. Let’s de-stigmatize so people can de-louse, de-bump, and de-discharge. You’re welcome.
9. Antibiotic-Resistant STIs Are a Growing Threat
If you thought “super gonorrhea” was the name of a punk band, we have bad news. It’s real. Some strains of Sexually Transmitted Infections are becoming resistant to standard antibiotics, making them harder to treat.
The solution? You guessed it. Early detection, full-course treatments, and not hoarding antibiotics like they’re multivitamins. The longer you wait to treat something, the more time it has to get tricky.
10. Semen Taste Can Be Affected by STIs (and Other Stuff)
This might not be in the medical textbooks, but if your partner is tasting something...off, it could be a sign to get tested. Infections can change the taste, smell, or texture of semen. Of course, so can things like smoking, diet, hydration, and medication.
Want to keep things fresh? Popstar Volume + Taste Supplement is loaded with ingredients designed to support semen quality and taste. Because if someone’s doing you the honor, why not be a gourmet experience?
Wrap-Up
If there’s one thing we hope you take away from this list, it’s that STIs are a part of life and they don’t have to be scary. They’re manageable, preventable, and way more common than most people realize.
Whether you're dating, committed, or somewhere in between, sexual health should never be a mystery or a shame spiral. Knowledge is sexy. Testing is responsible. And lube? That’s just good manners.
Want to make your sex life feel better and taste better too?
Try Popstar Volume + Taste Supplement or upgrade your glide game with Popstar Personal Lubricants.
Go forth, stay safe, and may your test results always come back boring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we say STI now instead of STD?
Great question. "STD" stands for sexually transmitted disease, while "STI" stands for sexually transmitted infection. These days, most experts prefer "STI" because it’s more accurate. Not every infection causes symptoms or turns into a full-blown disease, so "infection" is a better catch-all.
It also helps reduce stigma. "Disease" sounds scary, serious, and kind of like something from a medieval textbook. "Infection" is more clinical and less shamey. Bottom line: different acronym, same reason to get tested.
Can you get a Sexually Transmitted Infection if both partners have no symptoms?
Yes. Many STIs are asymptomatic, meaning you can pass them without knowing you have one. That’s why routine testing matters.
How often should I get tested for STIs?
If you're sexually active with new or multiple partners, every 3 to 6 months is ideal. If monogamous, once a year is usually enough unless symptoms pop up.
Are STIs more common now than before?
Yes and no. We're better at diagnosing them now, but certain groups like older adults are seeing spikes. The rise of dating apps and casual sex without protection play a role too.
Can you tell by looking if someone has a Sexually Transmitted Infection?
Nope. The only way to know someone’s STI status is if they’ve been tested and are honest about it. No magic eyes here.
Do condoms protect against all Sexually Transmitted Infections?
They’re great at reducing risk but not perfect. STIs spread through fluids and skin contact, so they help a lot but don’t make you invincible.
Dr. Joshua Gonzalez
Dr. Joshua Gonzalez is a board-certified urologist who is fellowship-trained in Sexual Medicine and specializes in the management of male and female sexual dysfunctions. He completed his medical education at Columbia University and his urological residency at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. Throughout his career, Dr. Gonzalez has focused on advocating for sexual health and providing improved healthcare to the LGBTQ+ community.
Dr. Brian Steixner
Dr. Brian Steixner is a board-certified urologist and an expert in men’s sexual medicine. He completed his General Surgery and Urology training at The University of Pennsylvania and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the busiest and most comprehensive programs in the nation. During his career, Brian has treated thousands of men with sexual health issues including male factor infertility.
