Swingers Forum - Std and sti testing...?

So, we have been talking about wanted to get tested, get a baseline of where we are and then be able to do routine checks.

Where in utah is good to do this? What tests are all of you getting checked? Just don't know how in depth to go and what the options are.

We use our own dr test twice a year

I get my test done from my doctor. At least one every 90 days.

You can also go to the health department they do all sorts of testing as well...
I get mine done from my doctor on a regular basis

CONCHOBAR wrote:

All this testing! Does this mean you’re taking chances between tests? Do people use testing instead of condoms??
Do your doctors give you the 3rd degree about why you need tests so often?

Excellent questions. While everyone is answering those questions, would you mind telling us the approximate cost for the tests and what tests are included in the price?

We have a 40$ co pay

Don’t think they check men for hpv though which I know is more common but still

I get mine done by my family Doc once a year but I've only been active with 1 person having any extra ppl use condims.

DELICIOUSLYWET wrote:

We have a $40.00 co-pay. If physicians are doing their job, they will ask you questions. Whereas our physicians know that we are non-monogamous we always have a non judgmental honest conversation, with our physicians about our sexual activities since our last examinations. Testing does not replace condoms, and that is especially true if you are willing to play with someone who does not get tested on a regular basis. Swinging multiplies the swingers risk. Risk prevention is a choice. We feel less comfortable playing with someone who always uses protection but never gets tested than someone who may have occasionally foregone protection but gets tested regularly so long as they have been tested since the last time they had swing sex without or really even with protection. Which leads into the next paragraph.
Sometimes people choose to form relationships involving maybe just two couples, or a small group of people that get tested on a regular basis and remain exclusive, partly so that they can play without condoms. Yes there are still risk, and you have to be really careful about who is in the group, and really who even knows about the group. Yes we have been part of a group like that in the past and it rocks! Oh well, people get new jobs and move away, or go back to monogamy, or want to play the field again and groups disband. We would do it again with the right group of people.
We count ourselves lucky that as swingers we have remained healthy. Swinging is risky. Certain types of activities add to the risk. Anything that increases the level anonymity between sex partners, or decreases any participants level of personal choice and control adds to their risk. Testing and condoms reduce the risk but they do not eliminate it. We all make our own risk verses reward choices. Testing at least lets us know that at that point in time we appear to be safe to play without putting our lovers at risk.

Dear Delicious— thank you so much for your thoughtful reply/discussion here. There ARE a lot of factors and risks to consider while in the Lifestyle; we’re all after fun, right? Good to be thinking of ways to avoid negative consequences that would put a big damper on the fun...