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STDs  (Expert Forum)
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Bad Massage Experience
Answered by
H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. -
University of Washington Seattle - WA
This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Warts, Yeast Infection.All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Bad Massage Experience

by falco 8316, Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
Thanks for any response.... still very anxious.  Details: male, monogamous for 20+ years.  Went to a spa for massage.  Bad decision.  Never again.  Female massaged back and twice, briefly placing her exposed vagina on back of my thigh.  Then, back to (oil) massaging legs. Then touched rectum briefly at which time I rolled over and said just a massage, please.  She rubbed her crotch and offered sex.  While in the process of refusing, she massaged my genitals and penis vigorously for 30 to 60 seconds....  (unprotected).. only half erect..  Good sense took over and I left.  No oral/anal/vaginal ever took place other than the quick finger touch to rectum.  I know hand to genital is low low risk.  My anxiety is the massage oil and the continued massage after touching my thigh and her crotch area and "massaging STD into skin"?.  No sores or anything noticeable on me or her.  Six weeks to date.  No real symptons... anxiety is winning... now some twitching and overall body redness, some tiny singular (no clusters) pimples scattered on arms chest, and side of thigh.  Very small (pencil point).  I notice them when they itch, then no real problem. Just constantly checking. Anxiety? Risk assessment, please?  Or, if you refer me to past threads, I will consider that the same "low risk" answer.  Thanks for your time.!
Doctor's Answer

by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
See my response to "ginobo", above.  (I'm going through the questions in reverse order today, for no particular reason.)  The event you describe carried essentially no risk for transmission of HIV or any other STD--even if the masseuse was infected, which she probably wasn't.  Your pimples almost certainly are just pimples; but if in doubt, see a health care provider.



Good luck--  HHH, MD
Member Comments (12)

by Imdumb, Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
That was not low risk, it was NO RISK. As in zero. If people could get STDs that way then they could get them from bathrooms and shaking hands. Obviously they don't and there is no way you got an STD from that massage. You need to find a way to get past your guilt.

by maryheather, Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
I've never posted on this forum before, but it sounds to me as if you need to report this person to the owner of the spa, or to the authorities.  How unethical!!!  You shouldn't feel guilt (unless you reciprocated in any way)--You should be outraged!

There are laws that protect against that type of thing.  You should definitely pursue pressing charges.  Good luck--MH

by worried in toronto, Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
Mary Heather,



I think most men attend spas for sexual purposes so i don't see why pressing charges would be necessary from a zero risk incident!

by monkeyflower, Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
To: maryheather
It all depends on the venue and intent. Technically you're right. If the therapist is licensed and this were a therapeutic massage practice, you could certainly (and should) file a complaint with the state. An investigation would ensue and the therapist would likely lose her license. However, in this case the poster went to a spa - where sex is part of the experience - so I think it's expected that his masseuse would have some sort of sexual contact :-)

by falco 8316, Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
Guess I was more naive than most... sorry to say. I have since found out that my state is in the process of regulating therapist, and spa services, but no funding yet.  Lesson learned and note to others NOT looking for sex..choose carefully. Thanks for comments and concerns.  Best to all on this site.

by monkeyflower, Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
To: falco
Wait a minute. Did you go to a therapeutic massage practice? If so, then you really do need to file a formal complaint. Even if the state doesn't license/certify massage therapists, the community almost always does.

by falco 8316, Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
To: monkeyflower
In retrospect, no...  it was apparently Asian owned (please, no offense meant, just factual), that one would see as independent vs. a chain.... There are several similar scattered throughout this town, you see billboards from interstate.  Not a day spa, but not a dump either.  I know it has been there for years (maybe new management).  I think I will pass it along anonymously to the local vice unit.  Thinking back, she said she was recently from Houston, Tx., so it is sounding like a deal where they try to stay one step ahead of vice.  Who knows..  My next massage will only be at a five star hotel spa!   Thanks again.

by Allison07, Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
You have nothing to worry about. However, this is the most entertaining post since the guy that thought he got HIV from diverting the shower water into his eye. I can't imagine sitting there thinking I am about to get a massage then all of a sudden a naked Asian girl is rubbing her crotch on my leg.

by maryheather, Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
To: worried in Toronto
I didn't get from the main post that he was in any way looking for anything more than a massage---maybe I'm totally naive, but if you're looking for more than massage, shouldn't that just be called a "brothel"?

As the original poster verified, he wasn't looking for anything else.  I think its dispicable that he was treated that way, and I truly feel for him.

He even suggested letting the authorities know---

Thanks for trying to clarify, though.

by monkeyflower, Jan 07, 2006 12:00AM
I really wouldn't report this to the police. What would be the point? You made a mistake, it's over... everything's fine :-)

by worriedman100, Jan 25, 2006 12:00AM
I went to a massage place and had a handjob performed by a massage girl. If there is broken skin from inflammation in her palm, will HIV virus mixed with the massage oil and flow into my pennis and cause my hiv infection? Please help!

by inatizzy30, Mar 06, 2008 11:14AM
A related discussion, bad massage experience was started.
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