How Often Do You Get Tested?

[Robynxoxo 10509]

So here it is.. the question that I have not seen on here yet, but a question that should come up often and should be openly and comfortably talked about with out prejudice. This question is open to all.

 

How Often do you get tested?

 

As you know..sex work in Ontario is not yet legal. So given that information, there is no mandatory testing done in order to obtain, or even maintain employment in this industry, like with other countries such as Australia and Europe for some quick examples.

 

And even lesser, there is absolutely nothing mandatory required of a client.

 

Because I consider myself to be a professional, I only practice the in safest ways possible in order to assure my own sexual health. I believe when you work with your body you should be a specialist in safety. I don't play roulette with my health, take no chances and have in past refused clients with ill hygiene. ( yes even just for a HJ, ) I Personally get tested every 3 months, with anonymous HIV testing and annual pap tests (for women only).

 

Because Yes, I am sexually active in my personal life. The massage service I provide does not necessarily increase my risk, although it could, I understand the importance of safety because I have a high standard of courtesy and respect fir my self my clients, and whom ever may be in my personal life.

 

In other countries the workers check for visual signs of disease ( STI'S ) using a flashlight and wash you down with a hospital grade soap. As well as (for sex workers) use condoms dental dams, and some get tested as often as weekly!!

 

Although this is a serious topic, I want to emphasise that I believe sexual activities should be fun and enjoyable !!

 

 

So back to my question

 

A. "how often do you get tested" ?

 

Follow up questions:

 

B. Do you believe sexual activity with sex workers increases your chances of receiving STI'S? MA or SP.

 

C. Is it safer then say, a girl you pick up at a bar ??

 

D. Do you think the average woman or man should take the same precautions ?

 

E. How have you been pro-active about your health lately?

[Kathryn Bardot 99339]

As you know..sex work in Ontario is not yet legal.

 

Sex work is legal in Canada. It is certain provisions around sex work that were part of the criminal code, and which were struck down by the SCC this summer.

 

http://owjn.org/owjn_2009/legal-information/aboriginal-law/121

[Jason Fergusson 1408]

This is a great topic. I have to admit that I do not get regularly tested because I do not do high risk activities; full sexual intercourse is where there is the real risk of STI's. I prefer reverse massage, body slides and hand jobs because these are negligible risk activities. I try not to get paranoid. You could get a cold sore from sharing a cigarette or you could get shingles from accidentally using someone else's towel at the gym. To be totally safe, you would have to walk around in a hazmat suit. However, if I were to have sex, I would take testing seriously.

People who have a one-night stand with someone whom they meet at the nightclub are taking a bigger risk than people who do sexual activities with an SP.

Coincidentally, I have recently spoken to several young adults about the topic of STI's. I had assumed that young adults in their twenties would be well informed about the prevention of STI's. I was shocked to talk to young women who use the pill or an IUD but do not use a condom when having a one-night stand. I was shocked to hear young men casually laugh about having picked up chlamydia from a one-night stand.

The average man and woman in the nightclub is at great danger of contracting a deadly STI. One-night stands happen between people who are too drunk to consider using condoms or too drunk to use condoms properly.

Hobbyists and SP's are aware of what our relationship is. The hobbyist respects that the SP is providing a professional service and that there is a protocol to follow.

[roamingguy 300292]

Oh it has been brought up before, like in this thread

http://www.cerb.ca/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=141071&highlight=testing

And for me, since I need to get blood work done every two months for an unrelated medical condition, I at the same time get tested for STI/STD's

It's funny how in this lifestyle testing is a subject that comes up. But it doesn't seem to be an issue in the dating world

And one wonders how active the men and women are that go clubbing or dating and yet do they get tested. I also find it interesting I don't recall STD/STI testing an issue on dating websites. Wonder why the conventional and "right" way to meet women is so far behind the times in regards to sexual health, and yet this lifestyle is so far with, or ahead of the times sexual health wise.

Anyhow a quick few off the cuff morning ramblings on this topic

 

RG

[Robynxoxo 10509]

Oh it has been brought up before, like in this thread

http://www.cerb.ca/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=141071&highlight=testing

And for me, since I need to get blood work done every two months for an unrelated medical condition, I at the same time get tested for STI/STD's

It's funny how in this lifestyle testing is a subject that comes up. But it doesn't seem to be an issue in the dating world

And one wonders how active the men and women are that go clubbing or dating and yet do they get tested. I also find it interesting I don't recall STD/STI testing an issue on dating websites. Wonder why the conventional and "right" way to meet women is so far behind the times in regards to sexual health, and yet this lifestyle is so far with, or ahead of the times sexual health wise.

Anyhow a quick few off the cuff morning ramblings on this topic

 

RG

 

I see this was brought up a year ago. oopsy daisy. Thank you for your input :)

 

I also feel that there is more irresponsibility in hooking up outside of the lifestyle but then again it is also very individual. I have know individuals that get tested after each new partner and or relationship :) I Thought this was pretty standard, but I suppose it comes down to the individual.

[spud271 47779]

Due to my cancer treatments, they take blood from me every two weeks anyway so I just tell them to check while they are at it. I have always made sure to be checked once a month anyway, since I've always played more outside of the hobby.

 

If you are sexually active with more than one partner, I would always suggest getting checked on a regular basis.

[Robynxoxo 10509]

lmao Jason Fergusson- no one wants to walk around wearing a hazmat suit.. thats just not cute.

[Robynxoxo 10509]

Thank you for you positive input Spud. :) and putting us back on track ;)

[Rysard 110]

I have been tested twice -

Once when I entered my second long term relationship with my current SO. I had been a man slut for the intervening months since my divorce was finalized.

 

The second time a bout a month ago - I have been hobbying since start of this year and felt it was wise to follow up.

 

Will probably do another round after C-36 drys up the well...

[TheRiddlerMan 872]

Thanks for the info Kathryn Bardot. Seems there are still a lot of fine details to be worked out. I'm all for the sex work industry, NOT against it.

 

So, yes Kathryn you are correct in what you said. Sex work is not illegal, I was wrong. Although still some finer details to be worked out. I hope for the best outcome of course. Keep it Rosey xo xo

 

It's about to be made illegal for buyers and with various restrictions for sellers (no potential exposure to kids, limited advertising venues, etc). The new law will be in place by the late fall.

[inti-mate 3454]

Robyn is such a classy woman. Its a tough question to ask but important. Thank you.

 

As a customer, I get tested every 8-12 months even though I mostly go for lapdances or safe massage. The MP world is pretty satisfying....especially with Robyn.

[Robynxoxo 10509]

It's about to be made illegal for buyers and with various restrictions for sellers (no potential exposure to kids, limited advertising venues, etc). The new law will be in place by the late fall.

 

Yes, that is also correct: at the moment the plan is that the new C-36 wants to re- criminalize the provisions around sex work. Nothing has been set in stone yet.

[76Traveller 654]

Like a previous poster, I'm keeping my hobby-ing to massage providers only mainly to keep the risk of STI's down. And even though outside of the hobby I'm super safe, I figure every six months seems about right for testing. The consequences of an infection are just too large, especially for anyone concerned with their fertility.

[RubJunky 1954]

Like Traveller I too Rub'n Tug.... oral is risky too but not as much as intercourse of course good judgment is key. I'm tested every 2 months for recurring cancer I ask for the extra blood work.