STIs?

Nope. Never mentioned never discussed. Sad and scary considering so many people have STI's in today's society.

..and in bathrooms..nasty!

Right?! Especially in regards to the train scene. Just think, if the first guy had something...

Best I could tell, the movie takes place somewhere between early 60s and late 70s, after the pill but before serious STDs became a major issue in the 80s. The lack of discussion re same is one of a number of things which point to that time period.

I'm surprised she didn't even get syphillis! She had sex with thousands of men, and from what most scenes depicted, without any sort of protection. And Syphillis has been around for centuries too, it's not like AIDS that started out in the 80's.

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Never forget what you are, the rest of the world will not.

I don't think it was necessary. STIs were not important to the film's plot and purpose.

You're looking at the film too literally. The film is presented as a series of stories recounted by the central character. There is no tangible proof that any of the stories actually took place beyond the existence of the gun in the second half and most of the stories seem to be inspired by items in Seligman's room.

The story is about self-destruction and exists so that the writer/director can engage the audience in an extended discussion on the various subjects the film introduces, including the self-reflexive relationship between the "author" (in this instance Joe, a surrogate for von Trier) and the "audience" (in this instance Seligman, a surrogate for the viewer).

I found this omission annoying as well. what's more pathetic and destructive than seeing a sex addict forcing herself to have sex in the middle of a herpes breakout or scratching at the scabs from crabs or having to explain some embarrassing warts to a lover? Or going to her daddy doctor for yet another refill to take care of her syphilis? How about going in for an abortion because she accidentally got knocked up? I can't understand how this film resembles anything other than a male fantasy if it doesn't actually explore the real consequences. I find it disappointing that even arty independent films can't provide an honest portrayal.