Sexual Health

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I have added this page due to the rising number of STD's in the UK.

The swinging scene for as long as I can remember has been pretty much clear of STD's, but lately due to the increasing numbers of people in the scene the incidence of infection is a growing problem. In the past most people in the scene knew each other before they played, but these days a large proportion of swinging is happening in clubs with complete strangers whose contact details are not collected. This means that should someone find out they have caught an infection they have no way of telling anyone they played that they may have passed the infection on to them, or on to others.

There are lots of myths about STD's this page will deal with some of them, as well as passing on details of places where help can be obtained and support found.

• Myth - I only had oral sex, so I'm OK.

• Fact - STD's are not only passed on through intercourse - some, including Chlamydia, can be passed on through oral sex.

 

• Myth - I have cold sores, so I cannot get genital herpes.

• Fact - You can get herpes simplex - the same virus that causes cold sores on the genitals

 

• Myth - HIV/AIDS is only in found in the Gay/Homosexual scene.

• Fact - The numbers of cases of HIV in the heterosexual population is increasing, it is true this is mainly in immigrants from sub-Sahara Africa, but it is appearing in the UK population as well.

 

• Myth - I caught Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, syphilis from a toilet seat.

• Fact - not 100% impossible, but probably 99.99999% impossible. If you or your partner has caught a STD, they have caught it through sexual contact with someone else.

 

• Myth - I have no discharge, so I have no infection.

• Fact - The most prevalent STD in the UK now is Chlamydia. It does not always have any visible signs, but if you are female and have Chlamydia you stand a high risk of becoming infertile, Many of the other STD's also do not show signs in between 10-40% of cases.

 

• Myth - We only played using sex toys, so we cannot catch anything.

• Fact - If one partner is infected it is possible to pass the infection on via an unwashed sex toy - Genital Warts are often spread this way.

If any health workers with a knowledge of STD's have the time and the inclination to help me keep this page up to date please get in touch.

Advice on sexual matters can be obtained from these agencies - some are state run, some are charities. Do not be afraid to go along for a check up if you suspect you may have caught something. There is no shame attached to attending a special clinic for a test, there is shame attached to dying needlessly from not taking the time to have a check up. JO and I get checked regularly. Happily so far I have only had NSU's, Jo has been in the clear.

• NSU - is a non specific Urinary infection. This can be caused by having sex with someone who has the infection, but also by eating spicy foods, drinking to much alcohol especially in sunny weather. The treatment varies from nasty drugs for 2 weeks to three heavy duty bunker buster tablets which should clear infection within 7-14 days.

With all infections, remember to go back for the follow up. Failure to do so could mean that the infection is still there - and you could re-infect

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Blackliners (UK)
Voluntary organisation providing sexual health and HIV support to people of Asian, African and Caribbean origin.
020 77738 5274
http://www.blackliners.org/

Brook Advisory Centres (UK)
Advice, counseling and medical help about contraception, pregnancy, abortion and sexual health. Centres across the country.
0800 018 5023 (9am-5am Mon-Fri)
http://www.brook.org.uk/

Crusaid
The national fundraiser for HIV & AIDS
www.crusaid.org.uk

FPA Health
Information on family planning and sexual health issues
2-12 Pentonville Road
London
N1 9FP
0845 310 1334 (9am-7pm Mon-Fri, Weekends 8am-6pm)
http://www.fpa.org.uk/

The Herpes Viruses Association UK
Information and counseling for people affected by the herpes viruses
PH: 0207 7609 9061 (General office hours)
http://www.herpes.org.uk/

Hysterectomy, Menopause and HRT (HMH UK)
Support group for women going through or having had a hysterectomy, going through menopause or taking HRT.
01309 673 178 (After 6pm and on the weekends)

Impotence Association (UK)
Help line for people experiencing impotence and their partners, also information on female sexual dysfunction.
020 8767 7791 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
http://www.impotence.org.uk/

InformED
Erection problems website
http://www.informed.org.uk/

Jewish AIDS Trust (UK)
Provides the Jewish community with education, counseling and support in connection with HIV and AIDS.
020 8446 8228
http://www.jat.ort.org/

National Aids Helpline (UK)
Confidential advice, information on sexual health, STI's and AIDS
0800 567 123 (24hrs)

Ethnic language line available: Mon: Bengali, Tues: Urdu, Wed: Arabic, Thur: Gujerati, Fri: Hindi, Sat: Punjabi, Sun: Cantonese
0800 917 2227 (Daily 6-10pm)

National AIDS Trust
http://www.nat.org.uk/

NHS Direct (UK)
Help and advice on all health issues plus local family planning and STI Clinic
0845 4647 (24hrs)
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

Positive Nation
http://www.positivenation.co.uk/

Positively Women (UK)
A charity offering support for women living with HIV by women living with HIV.
020 77713 0222 (10am-4pm Mon-Fri)
http://www.positivelywomen.org.uk/

Relate (UK)
Counseling, sex therapy, relationship education and education for couples and families.
01788 573 241
http://www.relate.org.uk/

Terence Higgins Trust (UK)
Issues relating to HIV and AIDS
020 77242 1010 (Every day from 12 noon-10pm)

Women's Health (UK)
Information on gynaecological health, heavy bleeding, fibroids, hysterectomy, menopause, HRT, pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian problems.
0845 125 5254 (9.30am-1.30pm Mon-Fri)
http://www.womenshealthlondon.org.uk/

World AIDS Day
www.worldaidsday.org

You Choose
Advice for those considering taking an HIV test
http://www.youchoose.org.uk/