I want to share a personal experience I just had that literally scared me and hope it can be a warning to all fellow hobbyists, but also providers. I am using an alias to protect my identity, but suffice it to say that I have been a TER member for many years with over 50 reviews posted.  I would be happy to be in touch with anyone who would like further information, but -Using an alias here, but if you want to get in touch indicate it in your comments and I will pm you.

Recently my significant other came down with what she thought was a urinary tract infection and off to the doctor's she went.  Since I am careful, but also have enjoyed a number of uncovered events involving oral sex, I started getting very worried.  While I had no indication that I had picked up an STD, I really began to think about what would happen if my so didn't have a UTI, but had picked something up via me.  So, after a couple of sleepless nights, I made arrangements with a national testing service (TSTD) which has been mentioned previously on the some of the postings here at TER.  I did the complete works (urine and blood) and nervously awaited the results.  The notice (email) came that my results were in and I called and held my breath.  Fortunately nothing was found and I breathed a huge sigh of relief.  

A word to the wise:  as we should all know you can get an STD from unprotected sex of all types including oral sex.  If you are having unprotected sex, please think twice about the potential and what it could mean to you and your family/loved ones.  I can only cringe at what would have happened had my so's medical issue been diagnosed as a std!  I can also say that I was incredibly fortunate to find tstd; they are confidential, reasonable and made it easy to be tested.  Their web site is http://tstd.org; phone number is 877-242-8710.

I have had a wonderful time hobbying over the last ten years or so, but it is now time for me to hang it up.  I will still pursue more safer lines like full body massages for pleasure, but nothing more.  I will miss the rest of it, but feel like it is time for me to move on.

Thanks to the wonderful ladies I have met.  For the most part, they went beyond just providing a service, but demonstrated a care and appreciation that was top notch.  Some of them have become friends and we have shared personal joys and sadness.  I will miss that along with some darn good times with a beautiful woman!

In conclusion, enjoy yourselves, but BE careful.  Get tested from time to time.  Finally, don't be afraid to question yourself from time to time on what the consequences of your own behavior could mean.  If you feel uncomfortable stop and regroup.  

Best wishes to all.

Sixtiesplus

Simply be meticulous about cleanliness, and avoid all contact which is not covered.
One can be quite creative.
Most of the ladies appreciate this, and seem to be able to relax more themselves.

I wonder if any providers or hobbyists can suggest ladies who fit superclean1's description and don't mind doing everything covered. Seems like alot of ladies hate the rubber taste . PM's welcome

If you can't find a lady that will use a cover during oral at your request, you are not looking that hard.  The BBBJ train is not driven by the ladies, it's driven by the hobbyists who insist that uncovered french is included in the definition of "GFE" - whatever that term means.  IMHO, most of the gals who go along with that do so for business reasons, not because they think it's safe to put 5-10 dicks in their mouth uncovered every day.

You made a wise decision, because as you described it there is nothing that would outweigh the anguish of giving your SO an STD.  Given that scenario, who would choose differently?
However, since there are no guarantees in life, I choose to continue safe low key activity in the hobby, with trusted, familiar faces, with due regard for the drain on resources, and the inevitable ebbing of capacity and overt desire.  But as others have mentioned from their own experiences, I still derive intense satisfaction, with glowing embers, from affectionate friends where there is apparent mutual enjoyment and stimulation (mental as well as physical, despite the fact that my current low intensity would earn the disdain of the high-testosterone gunners in their mad 30's and desperate 40's.  Yes, you young 'uns, it's still good, but it's different and less frequent.  Get ready for it.

Thanks; and, agreed!  My SO is aware of my hobbying, and this is not an issue.  Bringing home an STD ... would be an issue.

I don't have a SO, she decided to leave me for a younger guy many years ago, so hopefully he doesn't read this thread (Just kidding )

your SO picked up an STD from all the young uncovered cock she's getting on the side. Just sayin...

Very good message and philosophy.  A tip of the condom, er hat to you!

Yes, another alias posting. I am doing it to protect myself and any providers I have reviewed or may review in the future. So lay off. I had a big scare about 4 months ago when a rash appeared on my penis and scrotum. Right in the areas I had just gotten a BBBJ! Imagine my panic! I stopped hobbying and avoided my SO. I was tested then and again just this week. My blood and urine came back clean both times. So it turns out it was nothing. Or not an STD at least. But it was a jarring reality check to think I might have caught something that I could spread to my SO!

My doctor said I must have been allergic to the latex or the lube we used. Like I said, I have not hobbied for fear I would spread what I had if I had something. And I swore off the hobby for good. I told myself my health and my SO's health, not to mention all the stress I gave myself, was just not worth the few moments of intense pleasure.

However, now that I'm "certified" to play again, I am already thinking about calling a provider. And there is one I have always wanted to meet who is a BBBJ specialist who is coming to town for a visit. Now I'm thinking "It won't hurt to do it one more time. Just this once." I feel like I need HA, hobbiest anonymous.

Seriously, it amazes me how soon I am already planning to get right back into the old risky play I was engaging in before "the scare." Now maybe your post will help me keep myself from doing anything I may end up regretting. So thanks for that, bro!

fail to realize the importance of having a good standing 'relationship' with your ob/gyn and/or family doctor! Anyone who is sexually active (no matter their chosen profession) should be tested regularly, or even more than regularly!

Just my $.02.

xoxox
~Ice~

PS ~ Glad you boys are okay! :-P

First, let me say that I think you are really hot and I would love to spend some time with you. But if I did, I would not want to restrict myself from enjoying what you are known for - untranslated french. Even though I just went through the STD scare.

Even if you know you are clean, you could have been exposed to something right before we met and not even know it yet. See what I mean?

And yes, I agree wholeheartedly. I have a cool doctor who I can be candid with. When I told him what I did right before the rash, he lectured me on the dangers of this lifestyle. I thought it was herpes, and I waited and waited for the blisters. They never came, thank goodness!

I was just wondering if others are like me. Vow to quit and then a few months later go right back to the hobby? It is hard to quit, especially when a great BBBJ is on the menu!

As somebody who was around before TER, this is is one of the major reasons that the BBBJ is so common.  I didn't give in until after Charles got arrested in April '02 and the bow-wow site lost popularity.

I still keep a nice collection of flavored condoms.