Actual private STD testing?

[QUOTE=BastardChorum;6721586]You're right that doxycycline itself is not new. But what they were referring to is using it as an emergency post exposure preventative known as DoxyPEP. CDC just released guidelines for it this past October so it's fairly new. From what I can gather, in combination with a regimen of PrEP, it's very effective in preventing Chlamydia and Syphilis but less so with Gonorrhea. My take is that any new measures we can take to protect ourselves is a good thing. As mongers, we are one of the key high-risk groups that greatly benefit from this. I highly recommend any active monger to start PrEP and DoxyPEP if you already haven't. It bears mentioning again that the first monger dollars you spend should be on you and your health.[/QUOTE]Unless you're having bb Greek, I would think PrEP would be unnecessary. It's extremely uncommon for men to contract HIV through vaginal intercourse.

[QUOTE=BastardChorum;6721586]You're right that doxycycline itself is not new. But what they were referring to is using it as an emergency post exposure preventative known as DoxyPEP. CDC just released guidelines for it this past October so it's fairly new. From what I can gather, in combination with a regimen of PrEP, it's very effective in preventing Chlamydia and Syphilis but less so with Gonorrhea. My take is that any new measures we can take to protect ourselves is a good thing. As mongers, we are one of the key high-risk groups that greatly benefit from this. I highly recommend any active monger to start PrEP and DoxyPEP if you already haven't. It bears mentioning again that the first monger dollars you spend should be on you and your health.[/QUOTE]Personally I've been taking DoxyPEP after every session since the start of this year, even non-BB ones. So far so good, haven't caught anything.

[QUOTE=VodkaTonic;6721598]Unless you're having bb Greek, I would think PrEP would be unnecessary. It's extremely uncommon for men to contract HIV through vaginal intercourse.[/QUOTE]True, the chances of contracting HIV via penetrative vaginal intercourse is very low. But it's still there. Moreover, at least in the kgirl world, a good subset are now allowing MFM and greek further increasing the risk. Whether someone decides to take precautions is out of my hands and is based on their own risk tolerance and world view on the subject.

Here's my perspective, I get into a car every day to go to work, to do errands, to travel, etc. The chances of getting into a car accident is relatively low but it's a possibility. Therefore, I always buckle my seat belt. When there is something that can prevent or at least mitigate a large portion of life changing (for the worse) consequences, then I see no reason not to take advantage of it. I have no qualms about taking a pill day and a couple of capsules after each sexual encounter to give me that peace of mind.

[QUOTE=AlexisDavis;6721680]Personally I've been taking DoxyPEP after every session since the start of this year, even non-BB ones. So far so good, haven't caught anything.[/QUOTE]Thank you AD and BC for your personal thoughts. Good push for me to finally just do it. I already test regularly (a quick search for free STD testing in LA city and LA county turns up a good list of places). It was super easy to get tested (for free woot) within the past week — a comprehensive STD panel. I got schooled on DoxyPEP and PrEP (Truvada was what they had ready to go) and will start immediately. Also for some reason I thought I had aged out of being able to get the HPV vax, but was able to get the first round of shots for that, too.

My Primary Care Physician had a poster for the HPV shot so I innocently asked him if I should get it. He said "since you're over 40 and monogamous it's completely unnecessary. It's for young, sexually active people. " So I said "okay, good" and dropped it. I'm assuming that the ladies I see, being young sexually active people, have all had the shots. Right? Right?

[QUOTE=CarGuyF599;6728386]My Primary Care Physician had a poster for the HPV shot so I innocently asked him if I should get it. He said "since you're over 40 and monogamous it's completely unnecessary. It's for young, sexually active people. " So I said "okay, good" and dropped it. I'm assuming that the ladies I see, being young sexually active people, have all had the shots. Right? Right?[/QUOTE]The age "limit" is actually 45 I believe, but at that point it is a rather gray area since everyone has a different level of risk and different level of sexual activity. If you are under 50 I would recommend getting a second opinion. This is not medical device and I am not a physician but if I were you I would consider getting it for clarity sake. And yes, females are advised to get it at a much younger age and if they receive medical care in the states then it can be comfortably assumed they are vaccinated. That is, if they are not anti-vaxx etc. Hence my reasoning why you can't put a price on comfort and if you are vaccinated nothing to worry about.

I liken the practice of regular STD screening, PrEP, DoxyPEP, and Guardisil as driving with auto insurance vs no auto insurance, ignoring the legal requirement.

You can monger by the seat of your pants and accept the risk of not doing the above. Or you can insulate yourself by creating a preventative wall to infection by various degrees if a bug is out there. Also, at the bare minimum, you get results early on even if you're asymptomatic and can get treated right away. On the other hand, you might have a ticking time bomb festering inside you being none the wiser.

It's clear as day what I would do. Imagine if only 50% (only pulling this number out of my ass) of mongers seeing the same girls as you follow this practice. All the more reason to begin protecting yourself cause others won't.

[QUOTE=LabiaFedora;6728416]The age "limit" is actually 45 I believe, but at that point it is a rather gray area since everyone has a different level of risk and different level of sexual activity. If you are under 50 I would recommend getting a second opinion. This is not medical device and I am not a physician but if I were you I would consider getting it for clarity sake. And yes, females are advised to get it at a much younger age and if they receive medical care in the states then it can be comfortably assumed they are vaccinated. That is, if they are not anti-vaxx etc. Hence my reasoning why you can't put a price on comfort and if you are vaccinated nothing to worry about.[/QUOTE]Where do you get your info that females are advised to get the shot at a younger age? I don't think this is so. All of the public health publicity I have seen advocates for males and females equally. Anyone who knows anything about public health realizes that the greater penetration of immunization into the vulnerable population, the greater effect. What is interesting is that the earliest age they are pushing for is something like 10 years old. It is a reflection of their facing reality I would say, that some people are becoming sexually active at those ages.

Anyway, the only plus males have is that we can't get cervical cancer, but we benefit in many ways from the population we're engaging with sexually being vaccinated (including ourselves). If I were young enough to get the shot and could do so discreetly, I would. I am up to date on all the hepatitis vaccines, and one of the ways you can get those diseases is as STIs. I usually try to go w / classier gals that you would not expect to have those, but you can never be sure.

[QUOTE=FarFarAway;6728901]Where do you get your info that females are advised to get the shot at a younger age? I don't think this is so. All of the public health publicity I have seen advocates for males and females equally. Anyone who knows anything about public health realizes that the greater penetration of immunization into the vulnerable population, the greater effect. What is interesting is that the earliest age they are pushing for is something like 10 years old. It is a reflection of their facing reality I would say, that some people are becoming sexually active at those ages.

Anyway, the only plus males have is that we can't get cervical cancer, but we benefit in many ways from the population we're engaging with sexually being vaccinated (including ourselves). If I were young enough to get the shot and could do so discreetly, I would. I am up to date on all the hepatitis vaccines, and one of the ways you can get those diseases is as STIs. I usually try to go w / classier gals that you would not expect to have those, but you can never be sure.[/QUOTE]

Okay so I have had multiple first hand experience with this with family so I'll lay out the facts. Years ago, ONLY teenage girls could get Gardasil. Believe me, medical professionals told me that to my face and to make sure they weren't lying I looked it up and confirmed it. That's 100% fact. I suppose there were limited supplies back then. Then they realized how stupid and unscientific this was and opened it up to teenage boys (again, I confirmed this multiple times at the time). Finally, they opened it up to adults but ONLY 45 and over unless you get an exemption. I asked for an exemption back then, but I was close anyways. I had to ask twice before my doctor agreed. I paid out of pocket.

It doesn't matter what makes sense to you or I, he is 100% accurate as far as it being recommended only for young girls originally (this was years ago, it is no longer true). It made no sense to me, but keep in mind they decide these things the same way they originally said only immunocompromised people should wear N95 masks against Covid (in order to avert a mask shortage). It was BS then but they had to say that to avoid a shortage for doctors. I don't agree but I acknowledge there was some logic behind it however flimsy. The same thing happened with Gardasil and the fear of running out. No longer an issue though.

[QUOTE=LabiaFedora;6728416]The age "limit" is actually 45 I believe[/QUOTE]So I can confirm 100% first-hand that while there is an age limit of 45, you can simply ask for an exemption. I did that. I had to ask my doctor twice before she gave it to me. If you are much younger than 45, you may have to explain that you are exposed to a lot of pussy. The moment you say that you can look away briefly and they will quickly approve you because anyone under 45 can get it if they are immuno-compromised or have a "reason". But they are hesitant if you give no reason at all.

[QUOTE=FarFarAway;6728901]Where do you get your info that females are advised to get the shot at a younger age? I don't think this is so. All of the public health publicity I have seen advocates for males and females equally. Anyone who knows anything about public health realizes that the greater penetration of immunization into the vulnerable population, the greater effect. What is interesting is that the earliest age they are pushing for is something like 10 years old. It is a reflection of their facing reality I would say, that some people are becoming sexually active at those ages.

Anyway, the only plus males have is that we can't get cervical cancer, but we benefit in many ways from the population we're engaging with sexually being vaccinated (including ourselves). If I were young enough to get the shot and could do so discreetly, I would. I am up to date on all the hepatitis vaccines, and one of the ways you can get those diseases is as STIs. I usually try to go w / classier gals that you would not expect to have those, but you can never be sure.[/QUOTE]Sorry I meant to say that females *were always* advised to get the HPV vaccine and it wasn't until about a decade or so ago where males were also recommended it. So assuming how old you are, you may or may not have already gotten it. Yes agreed it's always good to have.

[QUOTE=FreeWally;6729428]So I can confirm 100% first-hand that while there is an age limit of 45, you can simply ask for an exemption. I did that. I had to ask my doctor twice before she gave it to me. If you are much younger than 45, you may have to explain that you are exposed to a lot of pussy. The moment you say that you can look away briefly and they will quickly approve you because anyone under 45 can get it if they are immuno-compromised or have a "reason". But they are hesitant if you give no reason at all.[/QUOTE]Yes exactly. And they should respect an individual's wishes as this is a form of preventive treatment. I think the gray area comes with coverage or paying out of pocket. Regardless it would be worth it to pay cash in my opinion, again depending on each person's circumstance. I do not believe there is a way to test if you have had HPV or have been vaccinated (aside from records). But the issue is that once you do find out you "have it", it may have already manifested to a form of cancer or symptoms that are otherwise not treatable.

[QUOTE=FreeWally;6729428]So I can confirm 100% first-hand that while there is an age limit of 45, you can simply ask for an exemption. I did that. I had to ask my doctor twice before she gave it to me. If you are much younger than 45, you may have to explain that you are exposed to a lot of pussy. The moment you say that you can look away briefly and they will quickly approve you because anyone under 45 can get it if they are immuno-compromised or have a "reason". But they are hesitant if you give no reason at all.[/QUOTE]You have this exactly backwards. The shot is available for younger people, not older. 45 is the oldest you are supposed to be and still be eligible.

This raises suspicion about all of your statements.

[QUOTE=FarFarAway;6729549]You have this exactly backwards. The shot is available for younger people, not older. 45 is the oldest you are supposed to be and still be eligible.

This raises suspicion about all of your statements.[/QUOTE]You're right, 45 is the oldest before an exemption. My doctor actually said I didn't need it anyways. She assumed I was monogamous and not being exposed to lots of pussy. I wasn't about to correct her so simply said I play to live a long life. Previously, my doctor 3 years ago said it wasn't available for me at all, no matter what I said about it.

I remember the first year it came out, it was only for teenage girls. Even my son couldn't get it. Which just boggles the mind their logic. Teengage girls are not getting it from lesbian sex!

That said, I did want to correct what else you said because it's been frustrating how they kept changing the guidelines every single year.

[QUOTE=CarGuyF599;6728386]My Primary Care Physician had a poster for the HPV shot so I innocently asked him if I should get it. He said "since you're over 40 and monogamous it's completely unnecessary. It's for young, sexually active people. " So I said "okay, good" and dropped it. I'm assuming that the ladies I see, being young sexually active people, have all had the shots. Right? Right?[/QUOTE]Got the HPV jab from my primary care doc right before Halloween 2017 in San Diego. After the vax I barebacked this smoking hot blonde named Briana in Point Loma. You can see the date on her ad is the same as the time-date stamp on my Canon Dig Cam-- 10/24/17 LOL.

I still had my Band-Aid and she asked me why and I just said Oh I got my flu shot. Then I fucked that hottie for a little over an hour and popped twice for MSOG. Yeah that's how I roll.

If there's a dood here who be needing maximum protection from exotic 3-letter cooties, it be me ha ha ha!