This is entirely out of curiosity and for my own elightenment. I'm just wondering how often some of the providers here are tested for STDs. And how about my fellow hobbyists?

Has anyone had success with those online confidential STD test services? Or do you prefer the local clinics or a trusted doctor?

I get tested a couple times a year now, used to do it more often when I was more active.

Doesn't talk about frequency, but good replies on what people use along with their opinions... see link

In Uptown. $95, completely confidential. Easier to work with than local health department, more confidential and just a little more expensive. Link below. Every six months for me unless I do something particularly risky (see the sex board if you need that defined) in which case I will go about 4 weeks after that. Not that I intentionally do anything very risky, but it stuff happens.

There was a thread recently where someone complained about having a false positive and getting a fair amount of flak from the counselor they had to see. I cannot comment on the false positive, beyond saying I did not get a positive. As for my counselor, he was easy to work with, gave me some good tips, was completely non-judgmental and I felt good about the experience. Of course, I would have felt completely different if I had tested positive, and probably about the same as that other person had if it had been a false positive.

Used my doctor for testing a few years ago and that was not a good experience at all, even if it was convenient and very easy. Will never do that again.

Some hobbyists test regularly, others test intermittently, and others not at all. Most advice I see says every six months is a good frequency. Also a good idea to get hepatitis shots - those you can get from your doctor, just tell him you are planning to travel to the Amazon (no joke), or some other place the CDC recommends hep shots. Get them for every letter you can.

Hope that helps,
Zig

This is informative, thanks!

They made us have B shots before high school. They have them for the others? Can someone confirm or flame me for not being willing to google?