For whoever needs to hear this, if you have an STD and are nervous to date, you can still have an amazing dating, sex and love life (and if you don’t have any, consider helping stop the stigma around them)

(using a throwaway account for this one since this one is a bit personal)

I'm (f) in my early thirties and I have had genital HSV since I was 24. I thought my dating life was over when I found out. And I cried a lot. So if you have a non-curable STD and feel this way, I understand. BUT ALSO, I have good news. It will be OK! Your dating life can still be amazing.

Since contracting HSV, I do have to have a conversation with any potential sexual partners about the fact that I have it before anything happens. This can feel hard, uncomfortable and embarrassing. But also, it's not as big a deal as you may think. I've had four (one long-term) relationships since then and, besides the first conversation with each partner, my STD hasn't played a real role in my life. I've found most people to be caring, open, and understanding on the topic. As long as you are up front and honest, it can be handled with maturity and grace.

In addition, you have the added bonus of not getting into sexual relationships with people who don't care about you on a deeper level and are willing to work through this together (good sign for future challenges in a relationship. You'll also start to notice the people who you know you DONT want to date because you have a feeling they wouldn't handle it well.

You may run into people for whom it's a deal breaker and that's totally OK too. Don't let it get to you. You'll find the right person for you for who this isn't an issue.

You are amazing and this is a tiny bump in the grand scheme of things. Keep your head up.