One goes to one's local nhs trust's Integrated Sexual Heath Clinic - phone to make an appointment - only a first name is required and it doesn't have to be real - they do asking a few not very taxing questions - not sure what they test for as I just say "gimme everything" and results are sent by text. Well - good ones are - I don't know about the other kind...
as has been said by someone lovely... you goto the local clinic... commonly referred as the GUM clinic. Google your local one and you will get 'drop in' and appt times.
worlass and I go together..we make a day of it.. well, an hour really as that is all that it takes for the full check up.
I go twice a year...
Thank you - useful tip.
Found a GUM clinic locally - something for us next week and do some shopping as well!
So apart from a name, do they ask much about what you get up to? If so should you be honest about the whole thing? "Yeah - we're swingers. Well - if anyone ever turns up when they are supposed to we are. We go to the odd good party, fancy coming along?"
Do they take a blood test? Or swab?
And can we go in together for mutual support!?
Sorry - really naive on this so any more info much appreciated just so we know what to expect
you can make a choice about what you tell them...
I explain that I am a swinger.. and also that some of the people that I have sex with are untraceable... it is the traceability bit that is the bit they really want to know. So they can track infection and also support you through telling someone you may have contracted Hep C/ HIV from them.. (or they have got it off you)
Tell 'em as much or as little as you want...
it is all confidential anyway.
When I went they were only offering the clamydia test unless you asked for 'the works'. Then I was asked why ? not in a nasty way but so they could asses if you were just wanting to be checked to be sure or if they should be testing for something specific ie your partner had x so you want to know if you have too.
You dont have to tell them anything and can make up your answers if you wish but I dont see the point. They are very discreet and non judgmental. I think its a bit like wanting to know if you have a lung problem and not telling them your a smoker.
They might ask about knowing your sexual partners so they can offer support / tests should you have a positive result, but its your choice.
I go to a GUM in town. Mainly cos my docs is always busy and 10 miles away from work.
To be honest I can't see any reason for withholding names. Do they sit in the pub discussing cases by name? I doubt one or two people coming in for a full set cos they swing isn't likely to be all that unusual.
I know the doc I was talking to (at my appointment) was interested in the swinging social side - how do you meet, where etc.
i go to my local gum clinic at the hospital, everyone is really friendly, i told them everything so that i know i am making sure i get the full protection for myself.
they take swabs just like going for a smear for a female and a couple of blood tests if you ask for the works,
i was very nervous the first time i went but for my own health it was well worth the small amount of trepidation and doesnt bother me at all now, all the worrying was for nothing really.
and the nurse calls me babes! :shock:
we go quite regular to our local gum and tell them the whole truth, they seem to like our honesty, from the usual checks & advice you get a bagfull or 2 of condoms for future meets, think a reason of going to a gum clinic rather than own gp's is if you ever apply for medical insurance theres a question re have you been tested for sexually transmitted diseases which may increase ones premium hence your records are safer at a gum with just your first name as opposed to your doctors files.
i go every three months for a complete check up as im paranoid even though I always have safe sex. I told them I'm a swinger - as I'm not ashamed of what I get up to - it made them laugh!!
They always give me a huge bag of condoms and lube!! They test for everything every time - costs nothing but a little time and is deffo worth it for peace of mind - after all it only takes one slip up !
google sexual health clinics - I prefer to make an appointment as saves time in the long run!
Thank you for all the tips.
We decided that the responsible adult thing would be to go, so we went along this morning and had a check up.
For all those worried about it, apart from it took a while (walk in - no appointment) it was pretty much hassle free and was not scary in the slightest.
We weren't entirely honest about our name, DOB or postcode, but apart from that we told the truth. Simple blood sample, urine sample, and Rachel had a couple of swabs.
We were recommended a couple of vaccinations as playing makes you more prone to Hep A/B so they were given with no problems.
Overall - not as bad as expected and perhaps if everyone went it'd be a safer place to play.
Thank you all posters for the tips - they helped us make our mind up to go.
) but we really should.
