Hello

@Erotic: Given the descriptive nature of the context Best used in relation to testing, incubation and transmission, it is a correct statement. No where in their post do they say testing can stop you from getting something.

What they are saying is: If a person’s test came back positive for, let’s say, the clap, Gonn or even herpes, that person could then take the necessary steps to prevent passing it further along. Knowing their status and hopefully a choice of action being abstinence would help to minimize passing it along to any future play dates. Therefore, that would be a true statement and definitely not a test used as a prophylactic; Since a test is only a medical reading, it bears no physical barrier to protect from anything, it is silly to even call it a prophylactic, let alone compare it to one.

IMHO: Is testing foolproof? No

Does it help to test regularly? Yes, if a test came back positive, it would allow a person to stop from potentially spreading what ever it is FROM THAT POINT FORWARD and take necessary corrective actions.

Then again, some don’t test because they don’t want to know.

~Allen

@TheBest

I am sorry, I can not let this hang out there.

"Testing and knowing one's statuses is helpful in minimizing some infections. " That is, by far, a completely fucked up statement. It is that type of statement that misleads a LOT of people.

There is absolutely NO test that will stop YOU from getting an infection. NONE. A test will tell you at the point and time that the vials were drawn/peed into whether or not you have something or the antibodies for something. It is NOT a prophylactic. People are treating it as such. At BEST, the test can STOP the transmission to another person, but it will not protect YOU from anything.

The rest of your rant . . . PLEASE . . . go to the CDC site and read. I think you believe that condoms protect you from STDs. In general, they do not. Specifically they protect from the exchange of male semen into the orifice of the recipient. That is it. They will not protect you from Gono. They will not protect you from Herpes. They will not protect you from Chlamydia. They are statistically insignificant when it comes to protecting from skin to skin contact.

How do guys know that you’re partners are clean? Do exchange paperwork? Before anything.

Re: paperwork
To get written results, we have to go outside of our insurance policy and pay out of pocket.
We can not get written STD test results from our insurance provider, Kaiser Perm. Not at any price.
We can not get written STD test results from our local Health Department.
(The reasons for these policies go back to the Reagan administration.)

We take the time to get to know people and become friends. Then we talk about safe sex. Then we play.

Routine periodic testing is a good idea for anyone who engages sexually with more than one person. Testing and knowing one's statuses is helpful in minimizing some infections. But in reality almost all STIs and all conditions that are not exclusively STIs but may be sexually transmitted have incubation periods so if someone gives you test results from six months ago but hasn't been celibate and absolutely protected in the intervening six months the test results mean little as far as your potential exposure to something.

So being well informed, being very comfortable with boundaries and with setting and expressing them, and being good with pausing rather than jumping in are all good tools.

That said, the notion of "high risk" behavior expressed by some commenters here is really inaccurate. Bisexual men who faithfully practice safer sex are actually far lower risk (regardless of what the CDC says regarding blood donations) than many hetero folks who are not monogamous and/or who are inconsistent with their safe sex practices.

I read many profiles that includes references to "drug and disease free" but then the individuals/couples do not use barriers for all fluid exposures. We are only human so I am not judging since we have all been there likely as far as some penetrative sexual activity without barriers. But when we can let's be encouraging in us all being as safe as possible. Our whole community is stronger, safer, and healthier when we do.

Scamp: No offense taken, and I agree swinging has it's risks, but it can be limited by making good choices. Some activities are inherently riskier than others and we avoid the ones that we don't deem worth it. For instance, we don't usually use condoms or saran wrap for oral, so we need to be pretty picky about partners, but we realize it's far from a fool-proof plan.

"...we nearly always use condoms for penetration, and have never engaged with anyone with high-risk behavior."

No offense but swinging by definition is a high-risk behavior and the fact that you "nearly always use condoms" makes it more so.

As EA and previous posters said, educate yourselves then decide the level of risk you are comfortable with and go from there. This is supposed to be fun so do what is going to give you the most enjoyment at a level of risk you are prepared to accept.

~Scamp

We limit our risk by limiting the circle of partners, we nearly always use condoms for penetration, and have never engaged with anyone with high-risk behavior. We sort of use the mentality that if the Red Cross doesn't want your blood, we probably shouldn't fuck you, regardless of any "hotness" factor. We've never had a sniffle or a sore, so I can't really speak as to the convenience or effectiveness of treatments.

“I like ANDREW and HOT's answers.”

You don’t have to like my answer, but if you’re going to pick and choose, at least I answered the question no one else would.

:-P

I like ANDREW and HOT's answers.

Everything in life is a calculated risk. You did it this morning when you got out of bed. You calculated whether or not you would slip and fall and potentially die on the way to the bathroom.

If you want a guarantee, their is but one: Die. I know that sounds harsh, but, and this always boggles my mind, you can get a STI without having sex according to the CDC. Think about that . . . what the fuck? STI stands for sexually transmitted! They classify bacterial vaginitis as a STI. Yes, BV. A woman can get this by taking anitbiotics for something else and it throws her flora off. No sex involved . . . Hmm. But, if you want to strike that from the list, then the best solution is simple: become celibate. You will not get a STI that way. It is the guarantee.

However, if you are willing to accept some risk, which you are, because, well, you got out of bed :) I'd educate myself on STIs and the treatments. Yes, I said treatments because people somehow still equate STI as the worst thing ever. The reality is other than HIV, most are cured with simple antibiotics and are cured within a few days! This of course is unlike the stupid sinus issue I have had for almost 3 weeks!

Find the risk level that you feel comfortable with after educating yourself and have fun.

" Do exchange paperwork?"

Some will have it with them but more will not; based on the human factor, some lie about testing and, of course, not everyone tests. We test for peace of mind and can provide papers; while not 100% proof, testing helps give us peace of mind and protect others to the best of our abilities while we enjoy the same interests as others. We also don't just fuck anything like some others and if you seek small groups, maybe you will meet others who keep small groups and provide the variety and maybe "alternate" friendship sought. This does not ensure others don't go outside of the group and someone may bring something in, plus what to do, but that is a different topic.

Good luck!

~Allen

AndrewRobin said it very clearly: you don’t know.
It doesn’t matter how many tests you’ve had, or how recently, there is always some element of risk.
Everyone should establish their own threshold of acceptable risk.
For example, we use condoms for coitus. Always. But, wifey likes a dick in her mouth, without a condom. We know that’s a bit riskier, but it’s a risk we’re willing to accept

Lizardfuzz,

You slam your cock on the table, and throw the dice.

Swinging is always an element of calculated risk. You can do some things to mitigate the risk, but you can never eliminate it.

If such risk is unacceptable to you, then you shouldn't be a swinger.

Thread moved here from Website

How do guys know that you’re partners are clean? Do exchange paperwork? Before anything.