Can you get an STD from rubbing genitals?

Author: Aunt Vadge
Qualified Naturopath | BHSc(N)

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Dear Aunt Vadge,

I’ve had oral sex from a couple of guys, and sometimes they rub their private parts on mine. Can I get any STDs from them?

Yours,
Unsure

Dear Unsure,

Yes, you can catch some STDs from rubbing genitals together, and also from giving or receiving oral sex. Gonorrhoea, for example, has a throat form as well as a genital one.

Rubbing genitals can involve an exchange of body fluids. A guy’s pre-cum can transfer onto your vulva and vaginal opening, and any bacteria or viruses it carries can reach your vaginal cells and cause an infection.

The risk is lower than with penetrative sex, because the outside of the vagina gets more wiping and movement, which can remove or never transfer some organisms. But the risk is real, and an STD can be passed this way. Some infections, like HPV (genital warts) and herpes, spread through skin-to-skin contact rather than fluids at all.

Whenever a penis touches your vagina, ideally it has a condom on it. Use lube, and only go without a condom if you’re prepared for the risks – meaning you and your partner have both been tested recently with clear results, and there’s no chance of an unwanted pregnancy.

Have a look through the options in our contraception section, and if you suspect you’ve picked something up, get tested promptly. Most infections can be cleared with medication, and the ones that persist, like herpes, can be well managed with ongoing treatment.

Write any time.

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge

This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.