How often do you get STD Testing

[JustAskJulie]

Ok, I just got back from my anual visit to the gyno (well actually to Planned Parenthood).. and got my usual check up and STD testing.. plus AID's test. I make sure I get tested for everything at least once a year when I go in for my anual. Of course they told me I need to cut down to two sexual partners a year (yeah right).. anyway.. here's the question.

How often do you get tested for STD's and AIDs? Do you even think it matters if you get tested, since some STD's can't be tested for anyway unless you have symptoms (which may never show up)?

Julie http://www.swingersboard.com

[CanadianCouple]

Julie --

To be honest, we've never been tested, since our experience in this is relatively limited. Specifically, three couples.

I'm curious about something, and just have to ask. Since they asked you to limit yourself to two sex partners per year, are they aware of how many you really do have? I'm interested knowing if you've divulged to them your, umm, hobby.

Dan

As a matter of fact Julie, we get tested EVERY year, and it's been NEGATIVE EVERY year!

For us, it is VERY important to get tested for STD's & AIDS, and that our partners get tested annually as well, and they do.

Our doctor knows that we have multiple partners, and he commends us for having our yearly testing! We feel (and so does our doctor) that it's OUR responsibility to do so, and we feel others should as well (easier said then done).

We realize that not everyone feels the same way about getting tested, and annually, or HAVE been tested in the past since the lifestyle. Therefore, we are VERY selective with who we have sexual relationships with, and that our playmates have the same interests & responsibility of yearly testing as well! One of our main "criteria" for our seach for "unique" friendships.

After getting acquianted with other couples & singles that we've met, and finding out more about their attitudes of the lifestyle and testings for STD'S/AIDS, etc...If there is a "risk factor", we decide then not to have ANY sexual relationships with them, and that friendship is where our relationship with them ends, nothing further.


CyberWife

[CanadianCouple]

Originally posted by CyberMWCouple:


Our doctor knows that we have multiple partners...

Well, I guess I have to pose the same question to you as I did Julie. How on earth did you broach this with your doctor? "We're swingers?"

Dan

Originally posted by CanadianCouple:
Well, I guess I have to pose the same question to you as I did Julie. How on earth did you broach this with your doctor? "We're swingers?"

Dan

Well, when we decided to get tested yearly (since being in the lifestyle over a year ago), we simply just TOLD him, "We have sex with other couples"! *lol* We can laugh now, but back then...That was a different story, more like nervous and embarrassed, not knowing how he'd react and what he would say. "I" was expecting a LONG lecture from him on his medical point of view, but he didn't even go there, thank God!

Like I've mentioned earlier, he commended us on taking that responsibility of getting tested yearly! He did advise us to make sure that the other couples we play with gets tested on a yearly bases too, and he handed us a few brochures on safe sex and STD & AIDS awareness as well.

Funny thing is, the day of our "visit" with our doctor, he had a student doctor shadowing him around on his daily visits...Can you imagine the thought and LOOK on this young doctor's face when we talked with our regular doctor about this?! *LOL* I know we made an impact on HIS "hands-on learning experience", and here's one for the books too Doc! *LMBO*

Another shared experience with doctors...*lol* Since he already knew about us having multiple partners, it was no problem asking him for information regarding a vasectomy, since I'm already sterile. Needless to say, he doesn't perform the "v" surgeries, but he did highly recommend another doctor to us who does. That doctor didn't have to know about our "recreational" sex life though, especially with discretion and all, ya know....*LOL* Try and explain THAT one to this doctor too...OH boy! *LOL*

During this doctor's "talk" about women having the sterilization surgery, what to expect, the procedure, yada yada yada....I just nodded my head in agreement with him, NOT saying a word that I've "been there and done that" already...I imagined him putting 2 and 2 together, we didn't need a lecture from HIM! *LOL*


CyberWife

[JustAskJulie]

Originally posted by CanadianCouple:

I'm curious about something, and just have to ask. Since they asked you to limit yourself to two sex partners per year, are they aware of how many you really do have? I'm interested knowing if you've divulged to them your, umm, hobby.
Dan

Umm no..lol. They ask on the forms how many you have had in the last year... and to be honest I couldn't tell you the actual answer.. not that they need to know. I do tell them that I'm in an open relationship and (obviously from the number I do put down) have sex with others besides my hubby. I figure it's best to be somewhat honest.. so that they can best assess my risk factor. But I'm not going to be totally honest with them as I don't feel the need for a lecture about having so many partners in the last year that I couldn't remember the number. Between stuff I do for my website and general swinging..

The nice thing about planned parenthood is that everything there is confidential (if not completely anonymous), so I don't feel as much of a strain as I would at a regular dr of the worry of who might find out.

Julie http://www.swingersboard.com

[JustAskJulie]

Actually, today what was recommended to me was to get tested after every new partner. I think most of us would agree this is probably a little excessive. Especially if you are taking any precaution at all.

I did broach the subject of swinging on my annual visit (I think it was last year or the year before), and actually that is where I got most of the info regarding STD's that is posted on this site. I just told them flat out what I wanted it for, and they were really cool about it. Somewhat like Cyber's dr. they thought it was great that I was being responsible and trying to help others to be.

On another note, like i mentioned in my earlier post I didnt give the real # for how many partners I've had in the last year.. and the nurse person told me I need to keep it to two a year. I just looked at her and said "that's not gonna happen.. "

Not much she could say there...lol.

Julie http://www.swingersboard.com

[CanadianCouple]

Julie and CyberWife --

Thanks for sharing a somewhat more private aspect of your swinging, namely how you addressed it with your medical caregivers.

Aside from the obvious issues of the lifestyle that's discussed here daily, it's always interesting to hear how it integrates with our other comparatively benign aspects of life, such as the mentioned doctor visits, professional careers, family commitments, etc...

Dan

You're welcome, Dan! Any time we can be of help...

[JustAskJulie]

I agree it is interesting.. and you are welcome. Which leads us to this new topics....
Does Your family know? Post your responses at http://www.swingersboard.com/ubb/For...ML/000132.html

Julie http://www.swingersboard.com

[MiCpl]

We do get tested at our regular physicals for STD's & AIDS.

S&J