Testing Question

[valo567]

I looked through the stickied threads on this forum and didn't find anything similar to this. If this is already covered somewhere and I passed it over accidentally, I apologize!

I've never gotten an STD test before (i'm a male). Me and my girlfriend have been going out for a few weeks and since she's on the pill, we are deciding to throw the condoms to the wayside. I know i'm not positive for anything (she's been my only partner and got tested after her last boyfriend was with her, always used condoms as well).

I've heard about the dreaded swab test. Is it really as bad as people say? I've read reports of people saying it burns for a week after. I want a test, not the "std experience" for a short period of time (if its needed, i'll bite the bullet).

I've read conflicting reports that there's a way around it (that everything can be tested through blood and urine tests). Is that true? FYI, she's getting a test as well.

[big916]

i haven't heard of any people say they take a swab test for std's. paternity test yes but not std's. and i don't know what your talking about burning for a week. how can putting a piece of cotton in your mouth burn.

anyways blood and urine tests are standard. I'm not sure what they charge in your area but i donate blood regularly and they test my blood for HIV and std's every time.

[valo567]

They stick a cotton swab in your dick from what i've read.

[big916]

that can be gone for Gonorrhea and chlamydia screening but they also do urine tests and i have only heard guys do those tests.

For Men - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines don't suggest routine STD testing if you don't have any symptoms, unless your sexual practices include having sex with men.

If you're a man who has sex with men, annual testing for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea is recommended. HIV and syphilis can be life-threatening if untreated, and chlamydia and gonorrhea can put you at greater risk of acquiring HIV and other STDs

look at this link for both you and your girlfriend about testing mayoclinic

[Ducy]

Ok wait. Why are you getting tested? Your sure your fine and she got tested right after her last bf (I'm sure you've seen the papers as I am also sure she has seen yours)

Just bite the bullet and get it done. Your the one who threw condoms to the wayside and now your going to have to deal with any and ALL complications. You don't want condoms and wanna get tested, but they need to do a biopsy on a testicle...well you shoulda worn a condom if you didn't want to.

Also what is your back up plan if she gets pregnant?

Big I'm curious why do they advise against routine testing? Why not after every sexual partner? Since you can normally go without seeing symptoms for a long time.

[valo567]

I'm getting tested just as a formality. She had a friend get an std and I guess that made her a tad paranoid. I can understand her sentiment in this day and age.

[big916]

thats considerate valo, people can never be too careful. as stated before you should get a urine test. the swab test sounds mid evil or at least early 20th century.

ducy i couldnt say factually just my opinion. all i know is the CDC considers homosexual acts to have a higher risk for transmitting disease. thats why they ask on the questionnaire when i donate blood if i have had ever had anal sex with a man even once. lets see what brandye has to say being that she is the resident MD.

[RedRoses]

Don't know where the OP is from, but here in Holland they take a urinetest and a bloodtest (for HIV). Only when you are in a high risk category (uprotected sex with multiple partners for instance) or the results of the urine come back ambivalent, they will take a swap.

And on Big's comment; anyone can get tested any time they want around here. And it's adviced to do so before losing the condoms in a committed relationship. Also; anyone with a multi partner lifestyle is advised to do an STD-check-up annually.

Gays that have anal sex are not allowed to donate blood or their organs here too, because of higher risk of HIV. One way I feel this is discriminating, but they say it has nothing to do with sexual preference, simple statistics. You also can't donate blood when you show other "riskful sexual behavior", in certain jobs, when you weigh too much or too little, have tattoos or piercing, etc.

[Ducy]

Ah okay. Ya I always assumed you would want to have someone get tested regularly. I know a friend of mine get tested every 6 months. He has been with a woman for over 2 years but still gets it done regularly. I believe that the cdc views homosexuality as "high risk" because (at least for the gay men I know and from what they tell me.) a lot of gays don't think about protection because they can't get pregnant. Granted its heresay but all these guys I know get high and party a lot and they usually wake up the next day sore and unable to remember the guys name.

[big916]

i know there are groups of gay men that have unprotected sex because they are all HIV positive so no risk when you already have it.

RR im not sure about organ donation but at the Blood Source because of the CDC they wont take a gay man's blood donation. maybe strictly protocol or because of the higher risk they don't want to spend the money to process and analyze it just like a person that has gotten a tattoo or piercing within a year.