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highlander · 08-09-2008, 05:13 PM

The big problem:
Many doctors aren't that familiar with the issues surrounding a VERY sexually active population.

If you are swinging regularly, testing for say HSV(Herpes) may be more important for you than someone that has 1-2 additional partners a year. I haven't seen any good studies that specifically relate to sexual health of swingers-and until such studies have been done, there is a lot of guesswork involved.

The test for HSV is pretty new. The PCR tests for other STD's are also pretty new. I wouldn't expect all docs to know about these unless they really specialize in that area. That is part of what I like about AIM-they really are keeping up on the technology. One thing I don't get is why they don't offer a trich. test--but I suspect there is a reason.

Those folks are used to testing a VERY sexually active population-and their educational material are something you can show a potential partner-and they aren't judgmental. They also give a good report you can show someone and go over with them.

Testing alone helps the security of your future partners. The big win here is if you can convince future partners to get tested regularly or find partners that test regularly. That means you have a less risky pool of partners to choose from-and a greater chance of catching stuff before it gets to you. For stuff like Chlamydia and gonorrhea that move fast, this isn't that much help, unless you have no symptoms(which does happen). A lot of these STD's don't move that fast though. The thing is, it is hard to get someone else to test--or share results- if you don't.

It has only been recently that I got a really good report. What I've found is that since I've had it in hand I meet more folks that appreciate it. The "sharing etiquette" for STD results isn't well established yet, but that will come in time. Some folks want to know-others don't.

Anyhow, I won't personally take someone's word on their test results. A big chunk of folks don't really know what their results mean-or what they've actually been tested for. I see a lot of folks that say they are "clean" but have never been tested for HSV.

According the Checktonight.com site:
"80% of people with an STD lie or do not disclose it to their partners, generally because they do not know they are infected."
"80% of young people infected with an STD do not know they are infected"

Now, those folks are selling a service(validation of STD test results), but those numbers don't surprise me personally.

08-09-2008, 05:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
highlander Swingers Board Addict Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 217 Location: Portland,OR	Re: what does the STD test look like? The big problem: Many doctors aren't that familiar with the issues surrounding a VERY sexually active population. If you are swinging regularly, testing for say HSV(Herpes) may be more important for you than someone that has 1-2 additional partners a year. I haven't seen any good studies that specifically relate to sexual health of swingers-and until such studies have been done, there is a lot of guesswork involved. The test for HSV is pretty new. The PCR tests for other STD's are also pretty new. I wouldn't expect all docs to know about these unless they really specialize in that area. That is part of what I like about AIM-they really are keeping up on the technology. One thing I don't get is why they don't offer a trich. test--but I suspect there is a reason. Those folks are used to testing a VERY sexually active population-and their educational material are something you can show a potential partner-and they aren't judgmental. They also give a good report you can show someone and go over with them. Testing alone helps the security of your future partners. The big win here is if you can convince future partners to get tested regularly or find partners that test regularly. That means you have a less risky pool of partners to choose from-and a greater chance of catching stuff before it gets to you. For stuff like Chlamydia and gonorrhea that move fast, this isn't that much help, unless you have no symptoms(which does happen). A lot of these STD's don't move that fast though. The thing is, it is hard to get someone else to test--or share results- if you don't. It has only been recently that I got a really good report. What I've found is that since I've had it in hand I meet more folks that appreciate it. The "sharing etiquette" for STD results isn't well established yet, but that will come in time. Some folks want to know-others don't. Anyhow, I won't personally take someone's word on their test results. A big chunk of folks don't really know what their results mean-or what they've actually been tested for. I see a lot of folks that say they are "clean" but have never been tested for HSV. According the Checktonight.com site: "80% of people with an STD lie or do not disclose it to their partners, generally because they do not know they are infected." "80% of young people infected with an STD do not know they are infected" Now, those folks are selling a service(validation of STD test results), but those numbers don't surprise me personally.
	Last edited by highlander; 08-09-2008 at 05:29 PM.