Do you test yourself regularly or ...

[Herbie]

Hi,
I know that nobody wants to talk about this one, but I think it is an important and relevant topic.
I was wondering if you guys test yourself regularly against those nasty STIs, and if you do, how often?
Also, what would trigger a visit to one of the clinics in your case?
Thanks,
H.

 

[mido]

a REALLY interesting subject !!! good job for this

i would be happy to hear from u guys , cuz for me i dont really test regularly. actually i havent even been tested before !!

 

[wild4sex]

I go every 6 months. So far so good, never tested positive for anything.
Waiting for symptoms is a bad idea cause there might not be any.

 

[Herbie]

a REALLY interesting subject !!! good job for this

i would be happy to hear from u guys , cuz for me i dont really test regularly. actually i havent even been tested before !!

Thanks. Well, aside from moral and legal responsibility to avoid spreading infections, I think we all want to stay healthy so we can continue enjoying this hobby as long as possible.

Tips from experienced hobbiest would help us newbies to keep the industry safe and clean.
Maybe experienced ladies can also chip in on this one and share their tips on how to stay healthy and have fun at the same time.

Btw, what are the best places to do the regular testing in town, discretion and convenience wise?

Thanks for sharing.
H

 

[wild4sex]

Btw, what are the best places to do the regular testing in town, discretion and convenience wise?

H

Sexual Health Centre - 179 Clarence Ottawa

 

[Herbie]

Sexual Health Centre - 179 Clarence Ottawa

Thank you W4S!

 

[too2shy]

my doc usually just orders a full test at my request.. but i'd like to do it more often. how long is the wait at the clarence center? and how long to get results?

 

[MegansTouch]

my doc usually just orders a full test at my request.. but i'd like to do it more often. how long is the wait at the clarence center? and how long to get results?

I find it's usually best to be tested anonymously because if it comes up that you do have something, you probably don't want it to be on your permanent health record. I find that at Clarence street you need to go right when it first opens, or even a bit before. You get the results by them calling you. If you don't want to give them a phone number, they will give you a number code. You show up 2 weeks later or so with the code, and they will give you the results. They used to have on-the-spot HIV tests, but I think those were discontinued.

 

[Herbie]

I find it's usually best to be tested anonymously because if it comes up that you do have something, you probably don't want it to be on your permanent health record. I find that at Clarence street you need to go right when it first opens, or even a bit before. You get the results by them calling you. If you don't want to give them a phone number, they will give you a number code. You show up 2 weeks later or so with the code, and they will give you the results. They used to have on-the-spot HIV tests, but I think those were discontinued.

Thanks Megan for sharing.
Do they give you an option to stay anonymous or you just have to use a fake name when filling out the forms? Also, how much of other personal info they ask from you at the place?

Thanks,
H

 

[too2shy]

I find it's usually best to be tested anonymously because if it comes up that you do have something, you probably don't want it to be on your permanent health record. I find that at Clarence street you need to go right when it first opens, or even a bit before. You get the results by them calling you. If you don't want to give them a phone number, they will give you a number code. You show up 2 weeks later or so with the code, and they will give you the results. They used to have on-the-spot HIV tests, but I think those were discontinued.

Is it a very public and visible entrance/waiting area? I'd hate to be seen hanging around the outside of the place by anyone I know

 

[Joeybats12345]

It's considered in the market but really isn't in the market. It's in a pretty discrete location, there isn't too much public traffic outside the entrance. Plus the place looks like a house almost, and it doesn't say sexual clinic in big letters outside the building if you are worried about that.

When you are waiting, there's a waiting room just like at a dentist or hospital waiting room.

If you just get like the standard testing, you just owe in a cup and that's about it.

 

[Herbie]

What do you mean by standard testing?
If am not mistaken u need to give blood to be sure you are not infected by syphilis for example.
H.

It's considered in the market but really isn't in the market. It's in a pretty discrete location, there isn't too much public traffic outside the entrance. Plus the place looks like a house almost, and it doesn't say sexual clinic in big letters outside the building if you are worried about that.

When you are waiting, there's a waiting room just like at a dentist or hospital waiting room.

If you just get like the standard testing, you just owe in a cup and that's about it.

 

[wild4sex]

my doc usually just orders a full test at my request.. but i'd like to do it more often. how long is the wait at the clarence center? and how long to get results?

You can also get an appointment say 2-3 weeks into the future. If you do that they are good at getting you in on time and out pretty quick.

 

[MegansTouch]

Thanks Megan for sharing.
Do they give you an option to stay anonymous or you just have to use a fake name when filling out the forms? Also, how much of other personal info they ask from you at the place?

Thanks,
H

They give you a form to fill out with your name, etc. You can put down whatever you want. You don't need to provide a healthcard or ID. The location is on a side street so it's not very noticeable to the general public. The waiting room is public so you see everyone else there. To be honest, it's mostly very young people there, maybe 18-25. I very rarely see anyone 40+.

 

[Joeybats12345]

When I went, I had the choice of doing a blood test or peeing in a cup. I chose the cup obviously lol.

 

[KathrynBardot]

Urine is used to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea. You'll need to get blood drawn to test for Hep B/C, syphilis, and HIV.
Rapid HIV tests are still available at the sexual health centre but they only screen for HIV, if you want a full STI screening you will need a blood draw and urine sample.

 

[Mtl_Expat]

Just a bump - and a reminder to hobbyests and SPs alike that the clinic on Clarence does anonymous testing. Well worth it for peace of mind - and to snag some free condoms and lube...

 

[Celticman]

I have had two tests in the last 7 months just for peace of mind and safety for all concerned. I can see doing it more often at a clinic. Is there a TO equivalent to clarence?

 

[KathrynBardot]

I have had two tests in the last 7 months just for peace of mind and safety for all concerned. I can see doing it more often at a clinic. Is there a TO equivalent to clarence?

http://www.hasslefreeclinic.org/

 

[Celticman]

http://www.hasslefreeclinic.org/

Thank you.