Dating with Genital Warts

Have you ever felt shy approaching a cute gal or guy across the room just because you have genital warts? Well, if you are suffering from this condition, you might be having the fear of rejection, which keeps you from forming relationships. The stigma of genital warts and resulting insecurities not only lower the confidence of a person but also makes him or her psychologically weak. Dating is scary when you have an STD, but with a strong will power, you can overcome this stigma. You can have a happy relationship and a fulfilling sex life even after genital warts. However, you should be careful about what you do and when you do it.

Genital warts are soft growths that appear on the genitals. It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). These skin growths may cause pain, discomfort, and itching. Genital warts can appear in the mouth or within the genital area – the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, or scrotum.

How to Tell Someone that You Have Genital Warts

The following guide will help you figure out how to tell someone that you have genital warts:

1) When to tell

Most people have a negative perspective towards STD. However, a right person who understands and loves you will definitely take it leniently. On the other hand, a wrong person can leave you, insult you, and ruin your reputation in front of others. Tell the person about your condition only if you are sure that he or she is trustworthy enough to tell. Observe the behavior of your partner and get to know him or her more. Once you confirm that he or she is your soulmate, prepare yourself for the conversation.

2) Research well

Before you decide to tell someone about your condition, research well about it. It is possible that your partner will have little or no knowledge about this condition and may ask you several questions to confirm if dating is fine with you. Therefore, know about the risks and the precautions to follow while continuing the relationship. Discuss everything with your partner to clear any doubts.

3) Prepare yourself

Prepare yourself before telling someone that you have an STD. It is important that you set the right mood between you and your partner and look for the right time before revealing your secret. A wrong move can lead to rejection and sorrows. Your mindset towards this condition will also affect how the other person may think about it. Hence, keep your attitude positive and calm during the conversation.

4) Starting the conversation

Start the conversation with your partner in a neutral situation when he or she is neither too happy nor too sad. Be calm and confident about what you are trying to say. If your voice trembles and you appear nervous, your partner will assume as if the situation is too serious and complicated. On the other, if you speak in a casual way, your partner may take it casually. Further discussion can remove any doubts your partner would have. Inform your partner that your genital warts can be managed and it is risky to have sex only during outbreaks.

As mentioned before, dating with genital warts is not a stigma and you can still enjoy happy relationships. As a rule of thumb, just remember to avoid sexual activities when you are having outbreaks. It is fine to have sex in between the outbreaks, but the use of condoms is crucial since the treatment is not 100 percent effective in preventing the transmission.

5) Be honest

If you have genital warts, then make sure to be truthful to yourself and your partner. If you fail to inform your partner, then you are putting the health of your partner at risk.

6) Use protection

Speaking of prevention, always use protection. When you are dating someone with genital warts, or you gave it, then make sure you use a condom while having sex. Although this does not make one completely safe, it is a good preventive measure.

7) Get yourself tested

Getting yourself tested regularly when you are dating someone or when you have started having sex is quite important.

8) Finding the "right one"

Believe it or not, there are dating sites that are exclusively for people who have genital warts. Genital warts are caused by a sexually transmitted virus affecting over 50 percent of the sexually active adults across the globe. Many people with sexually transmitted diseases find themselves on the receiving end of ridicule and disrespect. With the inception of the internet, dating prospects for those who have genital warts have improved dramatically. These sites allow you to connect with like-minded people, who have been fortunate in successfully finding life partners. Individuals with HPV can find their ideal partner from around the globe, just like everyone else, regardless of their disease. 

Dating Sites for People Living with Genital Warts

• Positivesingles.com - This is the first website that pops up on a google search. It only connects its users, but it also educates people about their condition and how to overcome it. They also have dating advisers.
• HPVdatingsite.com - This is a new and user-friendly site, especially to those who are not tech savvy.
• STDfriends.com - This is the best website hands down. On this site, you can also make friends to connect with and support you. It is one of the few websites that includes an app for further support.
• H-date.com - This is the most inexpensive dating and support site. They thrive on your insecurities because they are very good at convincing you that you can still have a love life. Basically, they focus on the fact that you can still have a sex life. Your picture and profile are not publicly displayed on the front page of the website.
• Hope.dating - This is on the list because they do a wonderful job making you feel confident after you are being tested positive. Their blog posts are well written and very informative.