I have just finished the largest study on swinging, STDs, and Safe Sex.

[drziggy]

Hey,
Nothing to apologize for, we all have our beliefs, attitudes, and points of view.
Cheers!

[VegasLee]

Can you advise as to the number of people that was involved in this study? ( in reviewing your information it appears to be about 100 people.)

What are of the country was this taken in?

Was it done in person or on line?

Thank you.

[Chicup]

The STD part is about what I expected.

HPV and Herpes you need to mentally assume you will get while swinging sooner or later, and be glad if you don't, especially HPV, its just too common.

[CXXC]

Originally Posted by Chicup

The STD part is about what I expected.

HPV and Herpes you need to mentally assume you will get while swinging sooner or later, and be glad if you don't, especially HPV, its just too common.

Chicup
You really believe that you will contract HPV or Herpes while swinging? Is it truly your belief that you are destined to?

That is simply too frightening to consider. Perhaps I am an ostrich and my head is in the sand. No matter what precautions we take, we are destined to contract something? I hate to be foolish enough or ignorant enough to think that we will not if the facts are that we will!

Hmmmmmmm. I never actually considered the possibility that no matter what we did, we would end up sick.

This is quite a bit to think about! Thanks for turning the light on or at least pulling my head out of the sand!

[fun4Ds]

Thanks for the results, drziggy. The results could have been from our area, the way I see them.

[SW_PA_Couple]

Originally Posted by CXXC

Chicup
You really believe that you will contract HPV or Herpes while swinging? Is it truly your belief that you are destined to?

There is a significant probability that you picked up HPV of some kind or another (yes, there are different varieties) even before you started swinging. Many people show no distinguishable symptoms. Condoms help to prevent but it can still be transmitted.

[drziggy]

The following is the sumamry of the study and findings.
This was a NORTH AMERICAN sample (U.S. and Canada).
The purpose of this study was to gather information about the sexual activities of swingers, to determine the incidence and prevalence of STDs in this population, and to evaluate the safe sex practices of swingers.
- In previous research, the samples have been skewed on average 70% male and 30% female (Bergstrand & Williams, 2000; Fernandes, 2009).
Typically, male sexual orientation is heterosexual (over 80%), and female sexual orientation is reported as Bisexual (over 66%).
Bisexuality among males has been reported at 20% (Fernandes, 2009).
Most individuals engage in swinging activities on average 4-6 times a year (0ver 15% engage monthly) (Fernandes, 2009).
Over 90% swap partners at least some of the time, and over 38% engage in group sex (Fernandes, 2009).
Swingers are an unrecognized and under-reported risk group.
To date, here has been little or no research information regarding the average number of partners
the safe sex practices of swingers
the incidence or prevalence of STIs (Fernandes, 2009).
In 2007 a study conducted by the Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Immunogenetics at the VU University Medical Center in The Netherlands, and presented at the 15th Annual EUPHA Meeting in 2007
Found that the prevalence of STD in swingers in the Netherlands were higher for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea when compared to another risk groups such as adolescents.

Study Research Questions
Do demographic differences still exist between male and female respondents with a large sample size (n > 2,500 respondents)?

What are the rates of STI transmission through swinging sexual activities generally and for several specific STIs within a group of swingers?

What are the point prevalence rates (% that currently have an STD) for having an STI and for several specific STIs within a group of swingers?

Are STD rates affected
- Demographics
- Swinging Frequency
- Safer sex behaviors
- Attitudes toward swinging

Sample:
The respondents were a self-selected sample of swingers (sample of convenience) recruited through an online advertisement in three of major swingers’ web dating sites.

Instrument:
A survey was constructed by the researchers. A link to the survey was made available through the participating sites. Survey questions included a demographics section, a sexual behaviour and attitudes section, a safe sex practices section, and a STD profile section

Results
Demographic Gender Differences within the Sample
2,103 (74%) men & 741 (26%) women

Sexual Orientation
Men: more heterosexuals (84%) than bisexuals (15%)
Women: more bisexuals (72%) than heterosexuals (28%)
Very few identified as homosexual
8 (0.4%) men; 1 (0.1%) woman
Age
40% of men and women were 35-45
Men: more 45 or older (45%) than under 35 years old (16%)
Women: more under 35 years old (33%) than of over 45 (27%)

Race/Ethnicity
84% Caucasian; 10% Latino; 3% Black
Present Marital Status
72% married; 13% cohabiting; 7% single
Swinging Frequency
75% reported 2-12 times per year
More men than women reported swinging less than once a year (6% vs 3%)
More women than men reported swinging weekly (14% vs 7%)


Table 3. Proportions of participants (by sex) that reported contracting any STD and specific STDs during swinging sexual activities.

Men
(n = 2062)
Women
(n = 727)

Proportions that said
"yes"
Ever contracted an STD during swinging sexual activities .06 .11
Vaginitis .01 .05
Chlamydia .02 .03
Gonorrhea .01 .00
Syphilis .00 .00
Herpes .01 .02
HPV .01 .03
HIV .00 .00
Yeast Infection .01 .06
Bladder Infection .00 .04
Kidney Infection .00 .00
Other STD .01 .01

Table 4. Proportions of participants (by sex) that reported currently having any STD and specific STDs.

Men
(n = 2012)
Women
(n = 709)

Proportions that said
"yes"
Do you currently have an STD .04 .05
Vaginitis .00 .00
Chlamydia .00 .00
Gonorrhea .00 .00
Syphilis .00 .00
Herpes .03 .03
HPV .01 .03
HIV .00 .00
Yeast Infection .00 .00
Bladder Infection .00 .00
Kidney Infection .00 .00
Other STD .00 .00

Table 5. Percentages of participants who reported ever contracting an STD during swinging by marital status.
Men Women
n % Yes n % Yes

Married 1478 6.0 492 7.7
Single 153 7.2 48 12.5
Cohabi5ng 242 7.0 105 22.9
Widowed 11 0.0 6 16.7
Divorced 98 2.0 32 15.6
Other 37 2.7 25 20.0
Total 2019 5.9 708 11.2

Table 6. Percentages of participants who reported ever contracting an STD during swinging by swinging frequency.

Men Women
n % Yes n % Yes
Less than once a year 122 5.7 24 4.2
At least once a year 174 5.2 49 4.1
At least 2 to 5 0mes a year 595 4.0 168 10.7
At least 6 to 8 0mes a year 473 5.3 186 11.3
Monthly 511 7.6 189 14.8
Weekly 155 12.3 105 11.4
Total 2030 6.1 721 11.4

Safer Sex Behavior Items (items used to measure the level of sex sex practices).
Safer Oral Sex Behaviors
When engaging in oral sex during swinging…
I use condoms
I ask my partner(s) to use condoms
I use a latex barrier (i.e. dental dams)
I ask my partner(s) to use a latex barrier (i.e. dental dams)
Safer Intercourse Behaviors
When engaging in vaginal sex during swinging I use condoms
When engaging in anal sex during swinging I use condoms
When engaging in vaginal or anal sex during swinging I ask my partner(s) to use
condoms
Safer Sex Assessment Behaviors
I ask my sexual partners for their STD status
I tell my partners about my STD
I get tested for STDs at least once a year
Risky Sexual Behaviors
I have engaged in swinging activities while infected by an STD
I share sex toys with other sexual partners
I swing with "single" individuals

Please note:
5.9% of the Men and 11.2% of the Women reported ever having acquired an STD through swinging. This number is well below what would be expected in the general population .All of the STDs reported (with the exception of HERPES (.2% and HPV .3%) were bacterial infections.
The most common infections were vanigitis and chlamydia.


Conclusions based on this study:
1.*Swingers, by self-report, have very low rates of STDs, even though not all engage in safer sex practices.
2.* Women are twice as likely to report getting infected with a STD during swinging.
3.*Different variables differ among those who have versus those that have not been infected with a STD through swinging.
4. We may question the simple statement that multiple partners = high STD risk – we must consider the context as with this population.
5. Swinging itself may not be as high a risk behavior as we assume.
6. Swingers consider swinging a safe behavior; swingers also feel that other swingers are trustworthy.

However:
Sample : self-selected sample of convenience
May not be representative of the population
Although individuals were the units of this study it is reasonable to assume that their responses reflect the experience of the “couple”.
Individuals infected with STIs may have dropped out of swinging
Respondents may have had a bias motivation in participating in the survey.
Further research is necessary using urogenital sampling.


My own observations:

It is possible that Herpes may have been contracted other than by swinging (it is estimated that in the U.S. about 70% of the population actually has herpes). Herpes is NOT an STD per se since there are other means of contracting it other than sexual contact.
(by the way, herpes is, overall, less harmful than most viral disease).
HOWEVER, HPV is a sexual transmitted viral disease most likely to be picked up by sexual contact alone.

When you consider the incidence of STDs among this sample population, two questions can be asked.
Why is the incidence so low since only about 65% practice safe sex?
Why don't more people practice safe sex if they're swinging in "open" groups?

Another observation, of the people reporting having acquired and STD through swinging engaged in sexual activities with "single" individuals (not part of a couple). It is plausible the infections may derive from "other" sexual activity other than swinging.

Also, remember that although there was a distinction made between Males and Females for the purposes of demographics. it is assumed that either represented one part of a couple.

If you have further questions feel free to drop me a line.
Cheers!
DrZiggy

[drziggy]

The total number of participants/respondents was close to 4000 (albeit some responses had to be scraped due to some technical inconsistencies). Overall, we got close to 3000 responses (the biggest sample so far in a study on swingers).

[socolais]

Thank you for the information. The numbers are a bit lower than I expected. Does your data show anything interesting about the participants that engage in anal sex with playmates? Does any particular swinging behavior (like group sex) show a difference in risk?

I'm curious about the weekly swingers. Don't swing weakly

[drziggy]

The incidence among individuals engaging in anal sex was 0% or group sex was not related (correlated) to the overall incidence in this sample. However, swinging frequency (unprotected sex) did show a relationship albeit small.
The biggest effect was shown in individuals that swinging with "singles" (unprotected sex). This makes sense since singles are more likely to bring STIs from the "outside" of swinging.
Also, about 80% of the respondents reported having either annual or semi-annual check up for STDs.

We have a large data repository which has not yet been reported. Saving it for future studies.

[drziggy]

Here are some more times. The percentages reflect sample participation (NOT STDs...)

Table . Proportions of participants (by participant sex) who reported each reason as one the main reasons for swinging
Main reason for swinging Men
(n = 2103) Women
(n = 741)
Sexual variety* .69 .59
Pure sexual pleasure .68 .62
To meet others socially .43 .42
Personal fantasy .41 .39
Looking for emotional connection .03 .04
Looking for a new emotional relationship .03 .03
My partner wants me to* .02 .09
Note: Proportions sum to over 100% within sex because participants tended to check more than 1 reason. * Difference is statistically significant using independent samples t-tests and α set at .007.


Table . Proportions of participants (by participant sex) who reported engaging in each activity during swinging
Swinging Activity Men (n = 2103) Women (n = 741)
Oral Sex .87 .89
Vaginal Sex .83 .83
Exchange partners .78 .78
Group Sexual Activities .73 .69
MFM activities* .68 .58
FMF activities .58 .62
Anal Sex* .34 .24
Mutual Masturbation .31 .29
Watch Only* .21 .14
Woman on woman sex only* .13 .29
B&D .08 .11
Other .08 .07
Fisting .06 .06
S&M .05 .07
Do not Participate in any sexual activity .04 .03
Watersports .04 .03
Man on man sex only* .03 .01
Never exchange partners .02 .03
Note: * Difference is statistically significant using independent samples t-tests and α set at .003.


I'll convert some additional infor into "friendlt" Word format so that I can pass it on to you.

[drziggy]

This is the final table.

Marital Status
The percentage of male participants who reported having ever contracted an STD through swinging activities did not differ by current marital status χ2(5, N = 2019) = 5.01, p > .05. Among female participants, however, a significantly smaller proportion of married participants reported ever having contracted an STD, than other women χ2(5, N =708) = 23.24, p < .001.
Table ?. Number of participants and proportion of each group who have ever contracted an STD through swinging activities by current marital status.
Men Women
N &#37; Yes n % Yes
Married 1478 6.0 492 7.7
Single 153 7.2 48 12.5
Cohabiting 242 7.0 105 22.9
Widowed 11 0.0 6 16.7
Divorced 98 2.0 32 15.6
Other 37 2.7 25 20.0
Total 2019 5.9 708 11.2


Relationship Length
The percentage of participants who reported having ever contracted an STD through swinging activities did not differ significantly by current length of their present relationship for men, χ2(5, N = 1974) = 2.79, p > .05, or women χ2(5, N = 708) = 8.80, p > .05.
Table ?. Number of participants and proportion who have ever contracted an STD through swinging activities by current relationship length.
Men Women
n % Yes n % Yes
< 1 year 112 4.5 41 12.2
1-3 years 220 7.3 115 16.5
4-7 years 341 5.3 122 11.5
8-10 years 287 6.6 95 4.2
11-15 years 308 4.9 83 8.4
Over 15 years 707 6.7 237 11.0
Total 1974 6.1 693 10.8


Current Marriage Number
We next examined whether the number of times that a participant has been married was related to risk for contracting an STD through swinging. For these analyses, we only included participants who reported currently being married. Results of a chi square test reveal that the percentage of participants who reported having ever contracted an STD through swinging activities did not differ significantly by current marriage number for men, χ2(4, N = 1469) = 2.55, p > .05, or women χ2(4, N = 492) = 2.71, p > .05.
Table ?. Number of participants and proportion who have ever contracted an STD through swinging activities by current marriage number for married participants only (N = 1,961).
Men Women
n % Yes n % Yes
1st 836 6.7 318 9.1
2nd 467 4.9 129 4.7
3rd 135 5.2 44 6.8
4th or higher 31 9.7 1 0.0
Total 1469 6.1 492 7.7


Swinging Frequency
A Chi Square test revealed that a significantly larger proportion of men who reported swinging weekly reported ever having contracted an STD through swinging activities than all other men, χ2(5, N = 2,030) = 17.73, p = .003. Proportions did not differ significantly among women, χ2(5, N = 721) = 6.12, p > .05.
Table ?. Number of participants and proportion who have ever contracted an STD through swinging activities by swinging frequency.
Men Women
n % Yes n % Yes
Less than once a year 122 5.7 24 4.2
At least once a year 174 5.2 49 4.1
At least 2 to 5 times a year 595 4.0 168 10.7
At least 6 to 8 times a year 473 5.3 186 11.3
Monthly 511 7.6 189 14.8
Weekly 155 12.3 105 11.4
Total 2030 6.1 721 11.4

[DigginIt]

Originally Posted by CXXC

Chicup
You really believe that you will contract HPV or Herpes while swinging? Is it truly your belief that you are destined to?

Deep down inside....I think the same way. Do I expect it or feel destined to contract it, absolutely NOT!!

I do believe that Mrs Diggs and I should be mentally prepared that there is a better than average possibility that anyone who is swinging could possibly contract either of those two based on how common they are.

I hope that being picky with our playmates steeply lessens the odds but never a guarantee. The only sure way is abstinence....that's out of the question, lol.

[CXXC]

Originally Posted by DigginIt

Deep down inside....I think the same way. Do I expect it or feel destined to contract it, absolutely NOT!!

I do believe that Mrs Diggs and I should be mentally prepared that there is a better than average possibility that anyone who is swinging could possibly contract either of those two based on how common they are.

I hope that being picky with our playmates steeply lessens the odds but never a guarantee. The only sure way is abstinence....that's out of the question, lol.

Digginit

My initial shock is a knee jerk reaction to what seems to be acceptance of a inevitability. Like you, we are rather selective with whom we play. However, the more play mates we engage with the higher the odds become stacked against us. This fact does give one pause.

In our naiveté, we went ahead, playing Russian Roulette, with the belief that those we play with would be responsible and ensure the safety and well being of, not only themselves, but those they play with. Again, the chamber spins. To date, we have landed upon an empty cylinder. By dodging the bullet once more, we increase our odds of contracting something. Now, having made it this far in the game, I find we are hesitant to pull that trigger again!

Even if we stick to the same play mates moving forward, we must question. Will they do the same? We do not just have sex with them. We have sex with every person they have ever been with. They bring with them a crowd of others with whom they have engaged and those the others have engaged. It only takes one individual to infect the crowd. This individual may or may not know they are infected. Therein lies another matter entirely!

So now, as I sit, scratching my head, I wonder if the fun, passion, excitement and all that the lifestyle brings to the table is worth it. This is a most perplexing issue! It is one that we must consider with great thought and care.

[drziggy]

I would like to suggest an analogy that may represent the chances of getting a sexual infection during swinging.
When we drive we usually use seat belts to minimize the chances of injury during an accident. Moreover, we rely of air bags to add extra protection. However, sometimes seat belts can cause death in particular cases (without the seat belt the individual may have survived the crash...). Some individuals never use seat belts and haven't had adverse consequences..
The same applies to swinging. The chances of getting an STD is very, very low, albeit there's always a chance. Using condoms minimizes the risk even further (condoms are, contrary to distorted reports, about 98&#37; safe... together with other safe sex practices).
Thus, condoms(and other safe sex practices) are akin to using seat belts while driving. So, here you have it, some people have engaged in swinging for over 20 years with no adverse effects. A few may get something the first time out....Some use protection, others don't.

I would never engage in sex with other partners unless I use condoms (the same applies to my wife), especially in a group situation with transient individuals. Better safe than sorry.....
Finally, no reason for the STD hysteria....so long as you're sensible in your sexual activities you should be OK. Choice of partners isn't necessarily the best strategy: safe sex is. Of course, there are always 'close" groups that require testing on an on-going basis.
The study was meant to be informative and not alarmist.
Enjoy your activities.
Cheers!