- You have the right to share this information with your family whenever you’re ready. STIs can be scary, stressful, and energy-draining, and you deserve all the privacy necessary to get help, seek treatment, and cope the best way you can.
- Some families will react differently than others, so it’s best to tell relatives like your siblings beforehand so they can help you talk to your parents or other family members about it.
- Consider your family’s beliefs before speaking to them, practice what you’re going to say, and mentally prepare for the conversation to travel in any direction.
- Tell them that you found out you had the STI a few months ago, and that you needed time to come to terms with it, seek treatment, and navigate life with it.
- Be clear in how you’re feeling (nervous, sad, upset, angry, etc.), and make it known that having this conversation isn’t easy.
- Consider if you need to ask them for help getting treatment.