My partner had a genital infection. His excuse for not taking antibiotics was infuriating.

Key Points:

• The author recounts a relationship with Jack, a physically healthy but noncompliant partner who tested positive for Ureaplasma, a bacterium causing painful, recurring genital infections, yet refused antibiotics, opting instead for natural remedies.
• Ureaplasma, often asymptomatic and overlooked by many healthcare providers, can cause severe complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and pregnancy risks, but is rarely included in standard STI testing panels.
• The author experienced a prolonged and painful battle with Ureaplasma, facing misdiagnoses and ineffective treatments before finally receiving proper diagnosis and antibiotics, highlighting the challenges patients face due to medical ignorance and resistance.
• Nonmonogamous dating apps like Feeld facilitate connections across diverse values but can expose misalignments, such as differing approaches to health and risk tolerance, exemplified by Jack’s rejection of conventional treatment and vaccine skepticism.
• Ultimately, the author uses Ureaplasma status as a litmus test in dating to assess potential partners' willingness to prioritize mutual health, concluding that Jack's refusal to treat the infection made the relationship untenable.