Do you get checked for sexually transmitted infections?

Biggest lickspittle on boardz

I was having this discussion with a few people recently, and I couldn't believe the amount of men and women who proudly admitted they have never had an STI check.

Personally, I get a full checkup every year when I see my doctor. And that includes a full STI check.

I know some people might be embarrassed about saying it to their doctor, but there are organisations like the Irish Family Planning Association that allow for discreet home screening services too:

https://www.ifpa.ie/Sexual-Health-Services/STI-Services/Home-STI-Testing

Am I just being an overly careful hypochondriac, or it is part of being a sexually responsible adult?

EDIT: Added a poll, which for obvious reasons will be anonymous.

RustyNut

Thinly veiled I'm getting layed post. :-)

greencap

Unless hangnails are transmissable its not a problem.

McMurphy

I don't bother anymore, as most of the STDs I've picked up over the years - you can only be infected by once.

Mongfinder General

Rick Shaw wrote: »

I don't bother anymore, as most of the STDs I've picked up over the years - you can only be infected by once.

Do you have Aids?

LadyMacBeth_

I've gone for a check twice. I think it's important to do every once in a while if you have multiple sexual partners, protection or not, just to be on the safe side. Also because giving oral can also transmit infections even if you're using condoms for penetration.

MilesMorales1

I already have something and it can't be cured or fixed, so I wouldn't be having sex or bothering to get checked either way.

Klonker

I wait til me mickey turns green.

Mongfinder General

Klonker wrote: »

I wait til me mickey turns green.

You'll be walking around with your balls in a sling

Pac1Man

No option for 'wish I had a reason to'?

Lia_lia

Yes I get checked every year the same time I get a smear test and various other bloods/tests done. Just get everything done together as a "well woman" package at the gp. Been in a relationship for 5 years but sure you never know :pac:

Don't see why not. But yes, the amount of people that don't get it done is mad. The amount of women I know that have never got a smear test done is also mad. I don't see the big deal with getting these things done.

LadyMacBeth_

Pac1Man wrote: »

No option for 'wish I had a reason to'?

I'll give you a reason to

.......wait, that sounds rapey and also like I have crabs

Dravokivich

LadyMacBeth_ wrote: »

I'll give you a reason to

.......wait, that sounds rapey and also like I have crabs

Don't be side stepping around this!

Martina1991

I don't understand why people don't get checked.

Clinics are free and anonymous.

ED E

Martina1991 wrote: »

I don't understand why people don't get checked.

Clinics are free and anonymous.

Not sure if this is current but:

A swap and a jab up the japs eye are a bit different. This is one where males lose out big time.

Martina1991

ED E wrote:

A swap and a jab up the japs eye are a bit different. This is one where males lose out big time.

If you had to choose between Syphilis and a 10 second jab what would you choose.

justfillmein

I do and always have after each partner.
I even kept all my 'all clear' letters too just in case some pr!ck ever tried to accuse me of anything:D

I don't particularly like getting them done, but they are not as bad as they used too. I can't remember the last time I got one but I think the swab they use is different.
I go to the well woman for all that kind of stuff

TerrorFirmer

Always when I start dating someone new. Don't understand how people don't. I've actually heard people say things like "I always use condoms so there's no need" - there's a shocking ignorance around STDs.

Speedwell

As a woman who's been married three times (still in the third marriage), I have lost all shame at asking to be tested. It's part of my routine yearly physical. If I didn't trust my husband I'd do it more often than that.

frag420

I always insist on a test before I sleep with someone!






The girlfriend is getting a bit pissed of with it now though!

Peatys

Biggest lickspittle on boardz wrote: »

and I couldn't believe the amount of men and women who proudly admitted they have never had an STI check

How many do you ask?

seamus

Martina1991 wrote: »

I don't understand why people don't get checked.

Because I've been with the same woman since I was 17?

Toots

I ticked never been tested - I've been in a relationship with the same person since I was 17 and we've only ever had sexual contact with each other.

Technically I have been tested for certain STIs because it's part of the routine checks they do during pregnancy (not sure if they also check for infections during smear tests) but I've never visited a doctor to be specifically tested for an STI.

McCrack

Theres a big increase in stis in recent years across the State including HIV notifications.

Its really a no brainer to get tested once a year if sexually active. A lot of the infections are asymptomatic particularly for women.

And whether people in a monogamous relationship believe their partner would never cheat or have sex with a prostitute for example is a matter for them to believe but its never always so in all relationships

theteal

I've had a few done back in the more prolific part of late teens/early 20s. I've been with MrsTeal nearly 12 years now so no need.

But hang on, what's this about an annual check up with the GP? What can be checked? Seems a bit pointless unless you've got an issue

Toots

theteal wrote: »

I've had a few done back in the more prolific part of late teens/early 20s. I've been with MrsTeal nearly 12 years now so no need.

But hang on, what's this about an annual check up with the GP? What can be checked? Seems a bit pointless unless you've got an issue

They'll usually check weight, blood pressure, any moles you have etc and do bloods. I'd have said it's pointless when I was in my early 20s but I do it every year now just in case. My dad's being treated for prostate cancer at the minute that was caught by complete fluke in a blood test. He had no symptoms at all so if the GP hadn't included a blood test in the annual check up it wouldn't have been caught as early as it was.

Lia_lia

I actually had my vitamin B12 tested as part of my “well woman” exam in February and it turned out to be very low. Wouldn’t have even thought to have got it done otherwise. Probably have to get B12 shots now for the rest of my life but was good to find out as could have been dangerous otherwise!

McMurphy

Mongfinder General wrote: »

Do you have Aids?

Yes.

One is for walking, one for hearing.

I tend to get checked twice a year (or after a particular wacky experience). I always figured it was the adult approach if you're a bachelor or dating. Never been diagnosed with anything from the checks but I really don't like the idea of passing something on to another person. I've had friends who have laughed off passing on an STD but I think it's a horrible mentality.

I started going out with my now wife in 1991, so have no new fancy diseases. Maybe I should get checked for the old Victorian era ones, any tests for lurgy or consumption?

corner of hells

Deleted User wrote: »

I started going out with my now wife in 1991, so have no new fancy diseases. Maybe I should get checked for the old Victorian era ones, any tests for lurgy or consumption?

Probably check for slow arsenic poisoning too.

cantdecide

corner of hells wrote: »

Probably check for slow arsenic poisoning too.

Mercury too. They seemed to practically put mercury on their chips back then.

Hector Bellend

No.

In order to get one of those you need to be having sex

MonkieSocks

Had VD once

Had to go to the Clinic, but was Poxed to get a parking space right outside :P

corner of hells

corner of hells wrote: »

Probably check for slow arsenic poisoning too.

The only way they'd catch her in Victorian times is if she stood over me while I exclaimed "I have been most cruelly done to death"

Contessa Raven

I've been with the same man since I was 19. Had never been with anyone before him. If I was to find myself single and dating again I would test regularly.

My health is my responsibility. I wouldn't avoid getting an annual health check and hope for the best so doing so with my sexual health wouldn't make sense.

Biggest lickspittle on boardz

Rick Shaw wrote: »

I don't bother anymore, as most of the STDs I've picked up over the years - you can only be infected by once.

And what about passing on diseases to others?

armaghlad

I’ve been checked twice before.. as recent as last week. First time I was convinced I had caught something, turned out I was clean as a whistle. People underestimate how sneaky these infections can be.

c_man

Don't sleep around, don't need one.

Much higher priorities I should be getting done at the doctors

Speedwell

Yeah, I wouldn't want to sleep with any of you lot who think you're in a force field just because you only have sex with one person (or so you say) who only has sex with you (you hope).

pickarooney

Speedwell wrote: »

Yeah, I wouldn't want to sleep with any of you lot who think you're in a force field just because you only have sex with one person (or so you say) who only has sex with you (you hope).

That seems kind of moot

Speedwell

pickarooney wrote: »

That seems kind of moot

"Seems" is the operative word. If someone says they're faithful to their partner but is willing to make a special exception for me, I assume (often rightfully) that it's "special" in the sense of a restaurant menu "daily special".

sbsquarepants

Haven't been in years as there's no need - my hoor-mongering days are behind me (unfortunately;)) can't imagine I ever will need to be again, but in the past I have been tested a couple of times. I wouldn't be embarrassed about it in any way, I don't really see why anyone would be.

I also don't get these yearly check ups?

I go to the doctor when there's a real chance I won't make it to tomorrow without medical intervention - or after every dozen ladies of questionable virtue, whichever comes first:D

Dr Crayfish

I got one in the summer and got the all clear thankfully. It's strange having a man Doctor fondling one's bollocks, but at least I didn't get any unwanted erections. That would just be awkward. He was checking for lumps he said. Also very camp. I hear him on the radio now doing ads for something, nice guy.
You used to have to get swabbed, where they would put something into your penis, they did that to me in Melbourne, where the waiting room was myself and a bunch of hookers and queens, but now you just have to piss into a cup thingy.

pickarooney

Speedwell wrote: »

"Seems" is the operative word. If someone says they're faithful to their partner but is willing to make a special exception for me, I assume (often rightfully) that it's "special" in the sense of a restaurant menu "daily special".

Yeah but, you saying you wouldn't want to sleep with someone who professes to be faithful (and thereby uninterested in sleeping with you) is a bit pointless.

Speedwell

pickarooney wrote: »

Yeah but, you saying you wouldn't want to sleep with someone who professes to be faithful (and thereby uninterested in sleeping with you) is a bit pointless.

Nah, you are not understanding me. I was referencing people who are "faithful BUT", and whose partner is "faithful when I'm watching".

Mister Vain

I just sent off a urine and blood sample this morning. I got the home testing kit, fairly expensive but easier than going to a clinic or GP. This is my second time to get one. The last one I got was 4 years ago.

armaghlad

My first check up was a couple of years ago. Female doctor so thankfully no awkwardness... until I go into the room and there’s a medical student observing. “You don’t mind him do you?” I just let her crack on, didn’t want to make it even more uncomfortable!

what the hell!

Men only have to give urine and bloods- there's no sticking anything anywhere thank god!

armaghlad

what the hell! wrote: »

Men only have to give urine and bloods- there's no sticking anything anywhere thank god!

Unless you present with symptoms... then you get the umbrella treatment

Martina1991

Mister Vain wrote:

I just sent off a urine and blood sample this morning. I got the home testing kit, fairly expensive but easier than going to a clinic or GP. This is my second time to get one. The last one I got was 4 years ago.

How did you take your own blood?
Or was it a finger prick