Advice for a newbie on the scene please, with regard to getting tested.
Where / how often do you get checked? Obviously local sexual health clinic are available, but I always assumed these are aimed at people with symptoms...Not 'frequent flyers' with purely recreational intent.
Naive.. But wanting to do the right thing. 🤔 |
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You can get tested anywhere, regular testing as routine is the most responsible thing to do.
Many STI's have no symptoms.
You can get free postal testing kits online, quality of local services and tests offered vary.
Personally I test every 3 months via a private GP. Blood & urine (no swab) tested for every STI known to science.
My local service provision is poor, limited tests offered (blood & swab), only basic screening questions that I feel is inadequate for the swinging lifestyle which is higher risk.
Then if you have a problem it is much harder to get help than it should be, and the wider NHS won't get involved.
Hence going private, expensive but absolutely worth it. |
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The local NHS gum clinic is fine in most places I've ever lived, might take a little time to get to you, bring a book.
Go every three months, go if you think there's a risk you have something, go if you have symptoms. That's what they're there for, don't worry about it. |
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"You can get tested anywhere, regular testing as routine is the most responsible thing to do.
Many STI's have no symptoms.
You can get free postal testing kits online, quality of local services and tests offered vary.
Personally I test every 3 months via a private GP. Blood & urine (no swab) tested for every STI known to science.
My local service provision is poor, limited tests offered (blood & swab), only basic screening questions that I feel is inadequate for the swinging lifestyle which is higher risk.
Then if you have a problem it is much harder to get help than it should be, and the wider NHS won't get involved.
Hence going private, expensive but absolutely worth it. "
Thanks, good advice. |
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"You can get tested anywhere, regular testing as routine is the most responsible thing to do.
Many STI's have no symptoms.
You can get free postal testing kits online, quality of local services and tests offered vary.
Personally I test every 3 months via a private GP. Blood & urine (no swab) tested for every STI known to science.
My local service provision is poor, limited tests offered (blood & swab), only basic screening questions that I feel is inadequate for the swinging lifestyle which is higher risk.
Then if you have a problem it is much harder to get help than it should be, and the wider NHS won't get involved.
Hence going private, expensive but absolutely worth it.
Thanks, good advice. "
If you contact your local clinic they may be able to send you a test kit which you can return to them by post so you don't even need to book an appointment. |
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I have to go to my sexual health clinic as you can't get NHS postal kits in my area.
Personally I prefer to go to the clinic they test for everything and make sure the tests done correctly. They also make sure your vaccinations are up to date. |
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No idea what the other areas are like but where I am and while I was still married, we were both getting tested every 3 months at the local Sexual Health Clinic. Simply google SHC and get the contact number, call them and book an appointment. These days, even asking your doctor they will ask you to go to the SH clinic as it's more than adequate to do all the regular testing and give you the best advice and Vaccines etc. for your circumstances. All on the NHS.
My local SHC is called iCaSH and they have always been very polite, discreet and the Doctors there are very easy to talk to. Always ask you how your medical and sexual circumstances are and give you the best Screening/Testing to suite your criteria. Very good at giving advice and preventative treatments like various vaccinations etc. and will always treat any infections professionally. |
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When my experience was limited to ordering the free test kits online I thought the local clinic was fine!
First the contract was taken away from sh:uk/icash (decent) and given to Provide CIC.
They now don't ask as many screening questions for the free test kits and testing is limited to the main 4 STI's.
My risk level is higher IMO than what is on offer.
Postal service still efficient, fairly decent lab turnaround but if you then need an appointment and/or treatment that's where the problems start!
No electronic prescribing.
Very long waits for an appointment.
Wider NHS won't get involved - just telling you to keep waiting for the local clinic who aren't helping.
Hence why I now go private. No long waits, faster results and easier prescribing if needed.
I use an independent private GP who tried to talk me out of doing the full screen every time to save money. It's not as if they are out to rip me off and it's worth every penny. |
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I always play safe, and I'm on birth control, but nothing is foolproof.
If I'm actively meeting, I will get tested every couple of months and even for a few months after.
I've had a few dry spells, and don't get tested during those except the first one after my last hook up.
To me it's the responsible thing to do. No one else is going to look after my health but me. |
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