We are not medical Doctors, nor are we qualified in any health related area. However, on a site like this we feel the need to point out that all this naughty recreational sex is fine and dandy, but with it come responsibilities.
Ask yourself, is it really worth not using a condom, dental dam or some other barrier method when having sex? Is it really worth risking the rest of your life and the lives of your loved ones over just a few passionate moments? No, of course it isn't.
We have tried to put together a good list of authoritative reference material below, so you can read it for yourselves and make your own informed choices about what you decide you want to do and how you want to do it.
Please, stay safe and have respect for others' safety too. Remember, once the orgasm is passed, the rest of your life is still ahead of you.
NHS choices for details of GUM clinics and more information on sexual health choices.
We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or fitness of the above for any particular purpose.
GUM clinics are available throughout uk and provide Free and confidential testing for sexually transmitted infections. As a swinger you will be able to access an ‘enhanced’ service, which will include screening, management (treatment) and vaccination to prevent Hepatitis B if needed.
Sexually transmitted infections are passed on from person to person during any type of sex, anal, vaginal and oral. We recommend screening for sexually transmitted infections regularly- every 3 months or so, especially if you have multiple partners. People often say that they are ‘clean’ because they have regular testing for STI’s but different infections have differing amounts of incubation time (window period) –this means that the test could be negative because it’s just too early for the test to pick up the infection. Using condoms will help to reduce the risk of sti’s.
If you have symptoms please contact your local clinic as soon as possible.
Some infections may not show any symptoms.
There are ways that you can reduce your risk of infection without reducing fun. See the guide to safer sex below.
Safer sex means having sex with less risk of transmission (catching or passing on) a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs include HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas, Herpes simplex (Herpes simplex virus/HSV), hepatitis B, and warts (human papilloma virus/HPV).
The risk of catching each infection is different, and also varies according to the type of sex you are having (such as oral, vaginal or anal sex).
For example:
You can reduce the risk of all infections by:
Getting vaccinated against certain infections.
Most commonly passed on infections are:
Infections less frequently passed on orally include:
Emergency Contraception can be used if a person has had sex without a condom or the contraception has failed. They are used to try to prevent pregnancy. There are 2 types:
Speak to your GP, pharmacist or a doctor or nurse from your local Sexual Health Clinic for advice on where you can access these.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a treatment that can prevent HIV infection after the virus has entered a person's body.
It is an emergency measure to be used as a last resort. For example, if a condom breaks or you have a ‘slip up’ from your usual safer sex routine.
PEP is a combination of powerful drugs and can be hard to get hold of, so it is no substitute for condoms, but it’s important to know about in case one day you or someone you’ve had sex with needs it.
Taking HIV medication before being exposed to HIV means there is enough drug inside you to block HIV if it gets into your body - before it has the chance to infect you.
eople who are at high risk of getting HIV and those in a relationship with an HIV positive partner who is not on successful treatment.
Contact your local sexual health clinic for more information.