Hi.
We were wondering how often most people from here get themselves tested. We figured that people's attitudes must differ quite a lot and wondered what the balance was.
We met a guy recently who, in answer to questions about health, said, "Oh don't worry, I'm absolutely clean and very careful." Well - he'd sent us pictures of himself having unprotected sex with a lady he'd met swinging, who herself presumably might have had U.P.S. with other guys, who (etc...); and on further discussion he said that the last time he'd been tested was EIGHT YEARS ago. So - not that careful, then. (And incidentally, we wondered, does she know you're distributing her pictures around the internet?)
So based on that we thought that people's opinions as to what constitutes "careful" must vary quite a lot; at the moment we're getting ourselves tested every three months, always using condoms, and even having second thoughts about oral without, although we think that's probably fairly safe (we did a bit of research).
Anyway what level of safety do you guys feel comfortable with?
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health corner
Hi tomu, this is a very good question/subject that I hope many people think about and act upon. I had an idea a short time ago, just wondering if anyone has any views on it. I have decided to start giving blood on a regular basis as there is a great shortage currently. Obviously when blood is donated it is tested for anything detremental to a recipient, i.e. any nasty diseases. This way I get tested and donate at the same time and regularly?! :idea: 
It's a good question. I like to trawl through people's pics and videos, and it's quite rare that you see condoms used for penetrative sex, and I've never seen one in an oral photo.
There are so many diseases you can get from oral, I personally think that condoms should be considered for that too - male and female
There are so many diseases you can get from oral, I personally think that condoms should be considered for that too - male and female
Sex God
Quote by Daihappy
I have decided to start giving blood on a regular basis as there is a great shortage currently. Obviously when blood is donated it is tested for anything detremental to a recipient, i.e. any nasty diseases.
Well done on planning to give blood Dai, definately a great thing to do (I would if they'd let me). I'm slightly alarmed though that you think that the screening process that is done when you give blood will screen you against 'any nasty diseases'. The screening that blood gets only screen for blood disorders and therefore not STI's.
STI's are a different matter and should be tested for reguaraly as some are sympton-free ie. Clamidiya.
Personally I would always use condoms with any swinging parteners, as well as getting regular clinic check ups, but it's a case of each to their own.
If anyone is worried about going for a check up, if you go to your GUM clinic you don't even have to give your real name so you don't need to worry about it cropping up on your records.
Sex God
Thanks PostKate, I was going to say exactly the same thing. Being a blood donor is NOT the same as getting yourself checked out for any sexually transmitted diseases.
I can answer that for us - it is only us in the pics.
However, you do make a very valid point about diseases from oral sex, cut we have to allow people to make their own decisions based on known facts just as we do.
Quote by Cherrytree
It's a good question. I like to trawl through people's pics and videos, and it's quite rare that you see condoms used for penetrative sex, and I've never seen one in an oral photo.
There are so many diseases you can get from oral, I personally think that condoms should be considered for that too - male and female
I can answer that for us - it is only us in the pics.
However, you do make a very valid point about diseases from oral sex, cut we have to allow people to make their own decisions based on known facts just as we do.
Getting tested regularly sounds fine and responsible, but what do you mean by regularly? Only Tomu says how regularly ... every three months. I would guess that is far more frequently than most people, but perhaps it depends on what you get up to.
I was tested three months ago. Perhaps it's time to be tested again. Any suggestions?
Incidentally rather than go to a GUM clinic, I sent samples of urine and saliva to a lab in London. Quick and easy but at a cost of some £60!
I was tested three months ago. Perhaps it's time to be tested again. Any suggestions?
Incidentally rather than go to a GUM clinic, I sent samples of urine and saliva to a lab in London. Quick and easy but at a cost of some £60!
Sex God
Quote by Philfuller
Incidentally rather than go to a GUM clinic, I sent samples of urine and saliva to a lab in London. Quick and easy but at a cost of some £60!
Sorry Phil, but there is a little more to things than just sending a sample and swab away. If you want to be tested properly for STI's you will need a swab of your genitalia and they will test that. The link below should help futher with the matter, as I'm in no ways medically minded.
Sex God
I think i'm probabably quite well known for my attitude towards unprotected intercourse 
It is stupid and selfish and wholly unworthy. (Call it missionary work, my personal campaign) :idea: Getting checked out periodically is no great deal. We do it
We owe it to our swing mates and our families. We want to keep both - have our cake and eat it. Don't anyone come back with this 'bare backing' - its all a matter of personal (blah de f***ing blah blah!)choice sh*te.
:lol2: :lol: Quote by Naughty Wigan Couple
Thanks PostKate, I was going to say exactly the same thing. Being a blood donor is NOT the same as getting yourself checked out for any sexually transmitted diseases.
It's a good question. I like to trawl through people's pics and videos, and it's quite rare that you see condoms used for penetrative sex, and I've never seen one in an oral photo.
There are so many diseases you can get from oral, I personally think that condoms should be considered for that too - male and female
I can answer that for us - it is only us in the pics.
However, you do make a very valid point about diseases from oral sex, cut we have to allow people to make their own decisions based on known facts just as we do.
I don't think anyone is saying it is the only complete check they rely on, for my part I know that donating blood means I am regularly checked for the aids virus.
Sex God
Just to re-iterate, you should NEVER use the blood doner tests to check if you have an infection- they actually say this in their patient hand out.
If you have any concerns that you may have some kind of infection, STD etc, then you certainly shoulnd't be giving blood- you should be getting yourself along to your docs/GUM clinic!
M xx
If you have any concerns that you may have some kind of infection, STD etc, then you certainly shoulnd't be giving blood- you should be getting yourself along to your docs/GUM clinic!
M xx
with regard to giving blood...i was under the impression that you are unable to participate if you have had sex with a gay or bisexual man, protected or not? im not saying that i agree with it but are there questions around whether heterosexual people who are in long term monogomous relationships or are single and celibate are the only people who can donate blood? as people who engage in recreational sex, can any of us say for definite that we have not had sex with a man whos had sex with a man...whether we knew it or not?
just pondering
ive never given blood, im too chicken. i do however go to my local GUM clinic every 6 months.
just pondering
ive never given blood, im too chicken. i do however go to my local GUM clinic every 6 months.
Quote by Blood Transfusion Guidelines
Can I give blood if I have a negative HIV result from my doctor?
Not necessarily. This is because we need to select donors who have no known increased risk of blood-borne infections in general. It may be possible to give blood after a detailed consultation with one of our senior doctors.
Swinging certainly increases the risk of blood borne diseases compared to monogamy, even when condoms are used for penetrative sex. For those who do give blood, does the Transfusion Service not mind when you tell them you have multiple sexual partners?
Quote by northwest-cpl
Can I give blood if I have a negative HIV result from my doctor?
Not necessarily. This is because we need to select donors who have no known increased risk of blood-borne infections in general. It may be possible to give blood after a detailed consultation with one of our senior doctors.
Swinging certainly increases the risk of blood borne diseases compared to monogamy, even when condoms are used for penetrative sex. For those who do give blood, does the Transfusion Service not mind when you tell them you have multiple sexual partners?
I hear what you are saying.. but the questionnaire when you go to donate does not as if you have multiple partners does it not? swinging or not. It asks whether you have had relations with a bi or gay man.
Correct me if I'm wrong
Quote by jaymar
I hear what you are saying.. but the questionnaire when you go to donate does not as if you have multiple partners does it not? swinging or not. It asks whether you have had relations with a bi or gay man.
Correct me if I'm wrong
But do you volunteer the information that you swing and are therefore in a higher risk category than a monogamous person, even though their questionnaire does not ask that? The Blood Transfusion Service seem to be opening a large loophole in their screening procedure.
Sex God
Re giving blood and allowing bi/homosexual men.....
from
It is a loophole northwest-cpl, but the guidelines there to help dissuade people who may be in a higher risk bracket from attempting to give blood and in doing so reducing the number of costly tests that have to be performed to screen for diseases and virus'.
You should never give blood if:
* you or your partner are HIV positive,
* you carry the hepatitis B or C virus,
* you have ever worked as a prostitute,
* you are a man who has had sex with another man, even using a condom, or
* you have ever injected yourself with drugs, even once.
from
It is a loophole northwest-cpl, but the guidelines there to help dissuade people who may be in a higher risk bracket from attempting to give blood and in doing so reducing the number of costly tests that have to be performed to screen for diseases and virus'.
Quote by northwest-cpl
I hear what you are saying.. but the questionnaire when you go to donate does not as if you have multiple partners does it not? swinging or not. It asks whether you have had relations with a bi or gay man.
Correct me if I'm wrong
But do you volunteer the information that you swing and are therefore in a higher risk category than a monogamous person, even though their questionnaire does not ask that? The Blood Transfusion Service seem to be opening a large loophole in their screening procedure.
but.. if it's not an issue why would I have to volunteer the information? if they were seriously worried about swingers giving blood, believe me it would be mentioned and asked whether we had multiple partners. No, the only question other than gay/bi is "have you had unprotected sex in the past..." the answer is no (from me) and is always a no.
Emotive subject for sure...
People will always use there own discretion on this.
People can and will tell you anything so without hard proof it always best to err on the side of caution..
There are sites that can give you an all clear certificate of health (Forged of course) for less than £10...
As for us... well we meet couples who as far as we can tell are similar to ourselves, lifestyle eyc etc etc No far from perfect but along with protection is about as safe as we can make things.. We don't do orgies gang bangs herds of wandering single guys nor do I as a male half of the couple go seeking more than we claim to seek..
Each to there own but if the couples were thinking of playing with do that too we don't lol.. No offence just not our thing.
We do plan on being checked too but naively think were safe cause we take the precautions we do.. No one can be 100% can they.. Its a risk we take to enjoy the lifestlye we do surely!
Mike xx
People will always use there own discretion on this.
People can and will tell you anything so without hard proof it always best to err on the side of caution..
There are sites that can give you an all clear certificate of health (Forged of course) for less than £10...
As for us... well we meet couples who as far as we can tell are similar to ourselves, lifestyle eyc etc etc No far from perfect but along with protection is about as safe as we can make things.. We don't do orgies gang bangs herds of wandering single guys nor do I as a male half of the couple go seeking more than we claim to seek..
Each to there own but if the couples were thinking of playing with do that too we don't lol.. No offence just not our thing.
We do plan on being checked too but naively think were safe cause we take the precautions we do.. No one can be 100% can they.. Its a risk we take to enjoy the lifestlye we do surely!
Mike xx
Casanova
Very good question has to be said I've always got myself checked before and after a relationship and make the male/female I'm see to get checked before we stop using condoms.
We always use Condom's when swinging because you can never be to safe if the cpl, male or female don't want it well thats just unlucky no condom no sex simple.
DON'T BE A FOOL RAP YOUR TOOL!
We always use Condom's when swinging because you can never be to safe if the cpl, male or female don't want it well thats just unlucky no condom no sex simple.
DON'T BE A FOOL RAP YOUR TOOL!
Sex God
Quote by Dizzy_Donna
DON'T BE A FOOL RAP YOUR TOOL!
Rap it on what? The sideboard? Doorframe?
Casanova
Ok! ok!! im shit i was ment to say:-
dont be a fool WRAP your tool
dont be a fool WRAP your tool
Orgasminator
Regarding having a swab from the genitals taken at the clinic. This no longer happens. My last check up did not include this and it was explained to me that it is no longer required as they can pick up everything from blood and urine tests. I am not convinced and told him so.
Quote by poshkate
Incidentally rather than go to a GUM clinic, I sent samples of urine and saliva to a lab in London. Quick and easy but at a cost of some £60!
Sorry Phil, but there is a little more to things than just sending a sample and swab away. If you want to be tested properly for STI's you will need a swab of your genitalia and they will test that. The link below should help further with the matter, as I'm in no ways medically minded.
Thanks for the link. Following up on it, I have come to the advice that testing can be done at home and by post. The two paragraphs, from the NHS Diagnosis page on STIs, are:
“Until a few years ago, GPs or GUM clinics commonly used a swab test which involved taking a sample of secretion from the vagina or penis using a piece of absorbent material attached to a rod, such as a cotton bud. The sample was then sent to a laboratory for examination.
However, in recent years newer tests have been developed that allow a woman to carry out a simple procedure at home, using either a urine sample or by taking a swab from the lower vagina. The sample is put into a container and sent to a laboratory to be tested. The need to have an intimate and embarrassing examination is therefore avoided.”
Since this seems to be specific to women rather than men, I called NHS Direct and asked for clarification, and how you go about it. The reply, not exactly helpful, was that the advice was as stated and that any further guidance should be sought from the local GUM clinic. I then rang the GUM clinic and was told that they offered no such service, and that they would only see people by appointment, etc, etc.
I felt the NHS should be able to offer something in support of their advice so I sent them an email asking what I should do, and the response has been that I should refer to the DrThom clinic which is what the Sexual Health section of SH recommends, and which is the clinic where I was tested anyway!
Back to square one, it seems!
Going to a GUM clinic to be tested for STIs seems to me to be rather like going to your GP and asking to be checked for illness of any sort. The DrThom procedure is to ask you what your lifestyle is and to recommend testing accordingly. I was recommended Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia testing (I guess these are the likely invisibles), and I opted for HIV as an extra. If I was to have itches and scratches and spots and discharges then I would have some symptoms to report, but without them I feel I have taken reasonable precautions.
Quote by Redbird
Regarding having a swab from the genitals taken at the clinic. This no longer happens. My last check up did not include this and it was explained to me that it is no longer required as they can pick up everything from blood and urine tests. I am not convinced and told him so.
The culture swabs are for Gonorrhoea, swabs can also be taken for Chlamydia testing. However a combined molecular test (PCR technique) is now available (in some areas) that detects both Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.
Urine testing is becoming pretty much the norm for Chlamydia testing. Culture is still seen as the "Gold Standard" for Gonorrohea testing by many Health Authorities.
