Venereophobia, Am I having Sexually Transmitted Infection?

Venereophobia is an unrealistic, exaggerated or irrational fear and interpretation of having venereal disease. In simple term it is a fear of having sexually transmitted infection (STI) without actually having it. Young sexually active adults are commonly affected with it. One may consult several doctors without any improvement.

What causes Venereophobia?
The most common causes of Venereophobia are usually emotional issues, anxiety and guilt associated with sexual behavior that one has been infected with a sexually transmitted infection. Some of the factors leading to venereophobia are;

• Masturbation
• Risky sexual behavior
• Pre-martial and extra-martial sexual contact
• Use of sex toys;
• Sharing common toilet, bed, etc.

Symptoms of Venereophobia:

• One may complain of pain, itching and burning sensation of genital.
• Some may complain of urethral discharge (which is in most cases normal), color change and rash.
• Male patients may also complain of decrease in the size of penis.
• Decrease sexual arousal

There won’t be any abnormalities, all the laboratory result will be within normal limit.

How can it be Treated?
As this is not the actual disease, so, all the management strategies lies on the patient hand. Trying to learn and recognize all sexually transmitted diseases in detail, self-loving, self-motivation, and avoiding the anxiety and throwing up any guilt from mind are some of the positive things that can hugely impact on one’s fear which can help reassure that he/she is free of disease.