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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Not sure how often people get tested and it’s not my business. In my area we have a free postal service where you can send off for a free test and send it back for free and you get a text or phone call about your results. This is for some STIs not all though. The main ones they test for on the NHS. Unfortunately this is not available in all areas which is a shame as I think more people would test this way. Anyway, worth looking into if it’s available in your area. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"It's a good service but limited to once every 3 months
More worrying for me Is how many clinics have shut or are for under 25s only"
Yes It’s a shame it’s not offered in those areas to anyone over 25 aswell. My area it’s all ages. |
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By *eliWoman
over a year ago
. |
I use SH24. Dislike the lancet because even though they say 400ml is enough, it isn't and you have to send more blood.  That aside, it's a great service and far better than waiting weeks to get an appointment or facing the hours wait in the sexual health clinic. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"We have a postal testing service here too. All the drop-in services have been cancelled, but you can still make appointments to be seen."
Ah I’m not sure how it is in my area regards to drop in service. I just use the postal service now and I hope it remains. But seems lack of funding for it in some areas so who knows |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I use SH24. Dislike the lancet because even though they say 400ml is enough, it isn't and you have to send more blood. That aside, it's a great service and far better than waiting weeks to get an appointment or facing the hours wait in the sexual health clinic."
I really struggle to squeeze enough blood out, only just manage it. |
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By *eliWoman
over a year ago
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"I use SH24. Dislike the lancet because even though they say 400ml is enough, it isn't and you have to send more blood. That aside, it's a great service and far better than waiting weeks to get an appointment or facing the hours wait in the sexual health clinic.
I really struggle to squeeze enough blood out, only just manage it. "
Yep, it's not easy. I normally have a good dance about after a hot shower, arm straight, tube down. Definitely helps.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I do wish oral swabs were part of the testing service too. It seems ridiculous not to offer it when plenty of people, if not most, perform oral sex without protection. |
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"I use SH24. Dislike the lancet because even though they say 400ml is enough, it isn't and you have to send more blood. That aside, it's a great service and far better than waiting weeks to get an appointment or facing the hours wait in the sexual health clinic."
400ml that's nearly a pint, get that amount from a lancet you've cut your wrists or stabbed a carotid/jugular  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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we use sh24 very quick service and free.tested last in mid august sent it in the post on a Monday and results back on Wednesday for the mrs and Thursday for me |
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By *eliWoman
over a year ago
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"I use SH24. Dislike the lancet because even though they say 400ml is enough, it isn't and you have to send more blood. That aside, it's a great service and far better than waiting weeks to get an appointment or facing the hours wait in the sexual health clinic.
400ml that's nearly a pint, get that amount from a lancet you've cut your wrists or stabbed a carotid/jugular "
 It's not ml. On the tube it says 400. There's no way it could be 400ml, my mistake! |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I do wish oral swabs were part of the testing service too. It seems ridiculous not to offer it when plenty of people, if not most, perform oral sex without protection."
I agree. I guess it comes down to funding and with it having lower risk they don’t offer it. |
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"
400ml that's nearly a pint, get that amount from a lancet you've cut your wrists or stabbed a carotid/jugular
It's not ml. On the tube it says 400. There's no way it could be 400ml, my mistake!"
Phew  |
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By *etcplCouple
over a year ago
Gapping Fanny |
"I do wish oral swabs were part of the testing service too. It seems ridiculous not to offer it when plenty of people, if not most, perform oral sex without protection.
I agree. I guess it comes down to funding and with it having lower risk they don’t offer it."
Its nothing to do with lower risk, when I raised my concern with a health worker they said that chances are if they have it in their throat they will have it elsewhere.
Completely misunderstanding that plenty of people have protected vaginal/anal sex but unprotected oral.
We test every 3 months or when we have new sexual partners.
When we can’t get them free, we pay for them.
Our sexual health is important to us, and worth almost any price.
As a man I opt for the “men who have sex with men” kits as you usually get oral and anal swabs and not just the blood and urine kits. |
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I've tried to do postal testing, but I just *cannot* get enough blood out of my fingers. Yes, I've tried all the tricks.
Fortunately they still do in-person appointments at my local hospital. I test every three months minimum. |
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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago
East London |
"I've tried to do postal testing, but I just *cannot* get enough blood out of my fingers. Yes, I've tried all the tricks.
Fortunately they still do in-person appointments at my local hospital. I test every three months minimum. "
I found the perfect spot on my fingers for getting blood out.
I fill the tube in seconds. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I do wish oral swabs were part of the testing service too. It seems ridiculous not to offer it when plenty of people, if not most, perform oral sex without protection.
I agree. I guess it comes down to funding and with it having lower risk they don’t offer it.
Its nothing to do with lower risk, when I raised my concern with a health worker they said that chances are if they have it in their throat they will have it elsewhere.
Completely misunderstanding that plenty of people have protected vaginal/anal sex but unprotected oral.
We test every 3 months or when we have new sexual partners.
When we can’t get them free, we pay for them.
Our sexual health is important to us, and worth almost any price.
As a man I opt for the “men who have sex with men” kits as you usually get oral and anal swabs and not just the blood and urine kits."
As a woman who has sex with men who have sex with other men I've never been offered an oral swab, not even in person at a clinic. I was given the Hep B vaccine, but nothing more. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I’ve found out some swingers clubs also run testing days which is great. Not all postcodes can get sh24 unfortunately. Luckily many clinics allow pre-booking but it’s hard to get through on the phones! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I do wish oral swabs were part of the testing service too. It seems ridiculous not to offer it when plenty of people, if not most, perform oral sex without protection."
The kit that can be used in this area includes oral swab, vaginal or anal swab and blood test. Last time I attempted to do the finger prick blood test there was barely a smear of blood and I was in pain for several days afterwards.
I make an appointment at the clinic, I am not attempting to do the blood test at home again, though if I had a nose bleed I could probably provide enough for several samples. |
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I tried to get another sti test but they replied back I only can do it every 3 months unless I call them to explain my details. Isn't it embarrassing saying yes i want to suck cock without a condom |
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By *ornycougaWoman
over a year ago
Wherever I lay my hat |
"I tried to get another sti test but they replied back I only can do it every 3 months unless I call them to explain my details. Isn't it embarrassing saying yes i want to suck cock without a condom "
Why is it embarrassing? Those working in sexual health won't be surprised! I use SHL which has the same 4 tests a year. Depending on who and what I have been doing like to test more frequently than 3 months so pay for additional screening (Superdrug/Lloyds etc) or have used the local walk in. If you are embarrassed these are other options |
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By *etcplCouple
over a year ago
Gapping Fanny |
"I tried to get another sti test but they replied back I only can do it every 3 months unless I call them to explain my details. Isn't it embarrassing saying yes i want to suck cock without a condom
Why is it embarrassing? Those working in sexual health won't be surprised! I use SHL which has the same 4 tests a year. Depending on who and what I have been doing like to test more frequently than 3 months so pay for additional screening (Superdrug/Lloyds etc) or have used the local walk in. If you are embarrassed these are other options "
Agreed.
Most people working at these clinics have heard it all before.
When I run out of the free ones, I just pay to get one from a pharmacy, or arrange to go in to the clinic in person.
No amount of embarrassment will stop me looking out for the health and well being of me or mine.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I've tried to do postal testing, but I just *cannot* get enough blood out of my fingers. Yes, I've tried all the tricks.
Fortunately they still do in-person appointments at my local hospital. I test every three months minimum. "
Apparently piercing your finger on the side, rather than the end is more effective, but i haven't tried it yet. It took me over an hour to get enough last time |
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I use 56 deanstreet in London. It’s also one of the primary ones we in the adult industry use for our Certs / same day results as gold card members.
It’s geared as a gay / lgbt / sex industry facility but more and more swinger couples are going as well now.
If in London areas can recommend 200%
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"I've tried to do postal testing, but I just *cannot* get enough blood out of my fingers. Yes, I've tried all the tricks.
Fortunately they still do in-person appointments at my local hospital. I test every three months minimum.
Apparently piercing your finger on the side, rather than the end is more effective, but i haven't tried it yet. It took me over an hour to get enough last time "
I have tried it, and for me personally it made no difference. I'm very lucky there's a clinic where I can get someone to just take it out of my arm. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Why is it embarrassing? Those working in sexual health won't be surprised!"
I used to go really regularly but slipped into some kind of sti test sexual counselling nightmare with a new clinic woman blurting out there must be something wrong with me for wanting so much sex. She *really* didn’t like it when I said - no honestly, I’m having a great time!
Don’t have to test so much now because I’m not having (much) sex…  |
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"Why is it embarrassing? Those working in sexual health won't be surprised!
I used to go really regularly but slipped into some kind of sti test sexual counselling nightmare with a new clinic woman blurting out there must be something wrong with me for wanting so much sex. She *really* didn’t like it when I said - no honestly, I’m having a great time!
Don’t have to test so much now because I’m not having (much) sex… "
What! This is some mistake....loads available |
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By *etcplCouple
over a year ago
Gapping Fanny |
"I use 56 deanstreet in London. It’s also one of the primary ones we in the adult industry use for our Certs / same day results as gold card members.
It’s geared as a gay / lgbt / sex industry facility but more and more swinger couples are going as well now.
If in London areas can recommend 200%
"
Dean street express was (is?) also used by some sex workers offering BB services due to their same day testing.
Never used it myself, but heard nothing but good things about it.
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"I use 56 deanstreet in London. It’s also one of the primary ones we in the adult industry use for our Certs / same day results as gold card members.
It’s geared as a gay / lgbt / sex industry facility but more and more swinger couples are going as well now.
If in London areas can recommend 200%
"
I’ve been to that one when I worked in the area, it’s a good set up! Very friendly an efficient. Sadly didn’t bump into any porn stars though!  |
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By *he LsCouple
over a year ago
East Midlands |
We have a local service called iCash which is linked to SH.UK as that's who provide the results. If we ever want tests more frequently than 3 months we just call them.
Agree with people that getting the blood sample is hard work though. |
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"I can never get enough blood out of my fingers might try just cut the tip of my finger off and see if that works or not."
Are you stabbing yourself hard enough? And warmed your fingers, use the thumb? |
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By *erces LetiferMan
over a year ago
Somewhere off the edge of the map... 'ere there be monsters |
"I used to go really regularly but slipped into some kind of sti test sexual counselling nightmare with a new clinic woman blurting out there must be something wrong with me for wanting so much sex. She *really* didn’t like it when I said - no honestly, I’m having a great time!"
That’s appalling! She would have had a complaint coming her way… |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I get tested every 2/3 months due to my high sex drive activities, with sex clinic putting me on PrEP. Obviously, I don't play if tested positive, have rec'd treatment to clear me of any infection(s) & retested to ensure clear before resuming play. The whore from within won't leave me alone...  |
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"I get tested every 2/3 months due to my high sex drive activities, with sex clinic putting me on PrEP. Obviously, I don't play if tested positive, have rec'd treatment to clear me of any infection(s) & retested to ensure clear before resuming play. The whore from within won't leave me alone... "
How often have you caught sti? Do you need time off work or carry life as normal? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I can never get enough blood out of my fingers might try just cut the tip of my finger off and see if that works or not.
Are you stabbing yourself hard enough? And warmed your fingers, use the thumb?"
It stabs me automatically so i presume so and i used 3 of them but not enough blood was coming out its shame cause now im walking round with no finger tips now |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I can never get enough blood out of my fingers might try just cut the tip of my finger off and see if that works or not.
Are you stabbing yourself hard enough? And warmed your fingers, use the thumb?
It stabs me automatically so i presume so and i used 3 of them but not enough blood was coming out its shame cause now im walking round with no finger tips now"
Heel prick instead? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I get tested every 2/3 months due to my high sex drive activities, with sex clinic putting me on PrEP. Obviously, I don't play if tested positive, have rec'd treatment to clear me of any infection(s) & retested to ensure clear before resuming play. The whore from within won't leave me alone...
How often have you caught sti? Do you need time off work or carry life as normal?"
Been unfortunate to have been tested positive twice in last 6# years of play & no never had to take time of work. Thankfully, meds cleared infection (important to get tested regularly). |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I can never get enough blood out of my fingers might try just cut the tip of my finger off and see if that works or not.
Are you stabbing yourself hard enough? And warmed your fingers, use the thumb?"
Never use the the thumb or the pinky. Wash your hands with warm water prior and dry them throughly. Sanitise with the wipes and when you prick the finger, do in the outer sides of the fingertip, never in the centre. Keep massaging the finger in a downward motion with the little tube as close as possible to the finger.
I am pretty sure there are YouTube videos that explain it better than I do, but those are the tricks I explain to people at work |
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"I can never get enough blood out of my fingers might try just cut the tip of my finger off and see if that works or not.
Are you stabbing yourself hard enough? And warmed your fingers, use the thumb?
Never use the the thumb or the pinky. Wash your hands with warm water prior and dry them throughly. Sanitise with the wipes and when you prick the finger, do in the outer sides of the fingertip, never in the centre. Keep massaging the finger in a downward motion with the little tube as close as possible to the finger.
I am pretty sure there are YouTube videos that explain it better than I do, but those are the tricks I explain to people at work "
I went against the rules and used my thumb in the end as my mate stabbed me pathetically and it just didn't draw enough blood. I got there in the end and was negative.
My local GUM has asked me to phone for a request as they only give test out every 3 months  |
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