STD tests? How bad are they? (for a guy)

I last slept with my ex over christmas last year (long time i know :rolleyes:

) and am just about to get into a new relationship with a fantastic girl at uni. With my ex after a while we didnt use protection but she had been tested and she was my first so there was no problem. We broke up before xmas and I think she had been with some other people at uni, but we ended up sleeping together at a party over xmas. I am still 99% sure there is no problem and ive had no symptoms of any sort but I am thinkin before things happen with my new gf I want to be 100% sure so i am thinking of getting a test

only thing is... the prospect is both embarrising and terrifying, I really have little idea as to what it involves. If anyones been through one, how bad is it? what goes on? ahhhhh

thanks :redface:

Reply 1

bunnycatkid

I know guys who just had a urine test, they won't necessarily look at your bits , especially if you haven't had any symptoms. And if they do take a look they have seen it all before, but I doubt they would look. Definitely worth going though, just for peace of mind as much as anything else :smile:

Reply 2

refoxed

it goes from urine sample to a brush up your bits

Reply 3

Tomber

13

A brush? Up? holy hell :eek:

Reply 4

tehjonny

8

They rammed a 20inch swab down by jap's eye, no honestly. It was kind of arousing...

Reply 5

red_Rose

1

tehjonny

They rammed a 20inch swab down by jap's eye, no honestly. It was kind of arousing...

Thats a load of ****, if anything it will be a urine sample, a swab (which may be uncomfrotable but not painfull) and possibly a blood test. Good on you for taking responsibility, if only there were more men like you.

Reply 6

scruffs

1

if you get tested only for chlamydia they will just ask for a urine sample. But if you get the full test...

First, they will take your sexual history, and whether you have ever injected etc.

Secondly, they will examine your genitals for any obvious signs of infection (swelling, pus, tenderness etc), both visually and by palpation.

Then, they will use a small swab (looks a bit like a cotton bud), and will insert it into your urethra (japs eye), but not too far. This is the uncomfortable bit. It's a strange experience, not painful as such, but most likely one that you will not find at all comfortable. Only lasts a few seconds though.

Then if you request it, they will take a blood test for blood borne STIs such as HIV. Note with this bit, if you get it done at your local GUM clinic this test will be totally confidential. However if you do it via your doctor it will be on your records, and could create theoretically create problems later in life for insurance etc under current law.

And then you're done! Although having a stick shoved up yer wee man might not be the best way to pass time, it's really not that bad and doesn't take too long. Results take approx 7 days for the STI swab and urine results, and up to two weeks for blood test results to come back.

Reply 7

Tomber

13

Whats a GUM clinic and why would it create problems for insurance, esp if the result is negative. Would a university sick bay do them?

Reply 8

tehjonny

8

red_Rose

Thats a load of ****, if anything it will be a urine sample, a swab (which may be uncomfrotable but not painfull) and possibly a blood test. Good on you for taking responsibility, if only there were more men like you.

Sarcasm my dear, sarcasm. I'm sorry I upset you so.

I'll be serious. Isn't anything to worry about, will be a urine sample most likely. They only do the more drastic tests if they have good reason to suspect you have something not detectable through urine. Most likely will take a blood test too.

Reply 9

Tommy2k6

Tomber

Whats a GUM clinic and why would it create problems for insurance, esp if the result is negative. Would a university sick bay do them?

http://www.playingsafely.co.uk/worried/where/where_can_i_get_help.asp

Reply 10

scruffs

1

tehjonny

will be a urine sample most likely. They only do the more drastic tests if they have good reason to suspect you have something not detectable through urine. Most likely will take a blood test too.

Not quite true. As I said if you go and ask for a full test they'll do a full test- you don't just need to have a good reason, peace of mind is enough. And that is mainly at the doctors. At GUM clinics they do the full shebang as standard, apart from the blood test.

GUM- Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinics. Chances are there will be one near you. They can get fully booked pretty quick, but some offer drop in services, no appointment necessary. Look it up- even yell.co.uk may be able to find one for you.

The blood test, once done can have consequences on things like insurance, even if negative due to Draconian laws still in place that when looking at your medical records, insurance firms, potential employers etc can look at it and decline you on the basis that you are either positive, or thought you were positive, and hence possibly a more risk-taking individual (A bit like how they can look at smokers medical records and decline them or jack up their premiums because they are more of a liability). Tends to apply to insurers most, and not all of them automatically take it into consideration. As i Said, the GUM clinics are confidential and you can get the blood tests there without these associated problems.

Reply 11

scruffs

1

oh, and uni student clinics might do them but as they tend to be your GP at uni the same rules still apply.

Reply 12

TKR

15

Wherever you have a blood test, if it comes out positive, you are required by law to inform life insurance companies when taking out a policy. The person doing the test should tell you this beforehand.

Reply 13

scruffs

1

ah yeah, that too.

Reply 14

zav

14

They put a mini cocktail umbrella up your japs eye and scrape it so they can get a sample if you like it rough its not too bad.

Reply 15

scruffs

1

zav

They put a mini cocktail umbrella up your japs eye and scrape it so they can get a sample if you like it rough its not too bad.

My, how original you are :rolleyes:

Reply 16

Anonymous #2

You my friend have aids!

Reply 17

scruffs

1

Anonymous

You my friend have aids!

That's not a very nice thing to say to someone who is genuinely worried.

Reply 18

InArduisFouette

21

Tomber

Whats a GUM clinic and why would it create problems for insurance, esp if the result is negative. Would a university sick bay do them?

GUM = genito-urinary Medicine

i.e. 'clap clinic'

the number should be the local telephone directory or ask at any NHS premises and most pharmacies and they will be able to tell their local one.

GUM clinic notes are held seperately and you do not have to give your true details - some places allow assumed names , other clinics just issue you with record number...

the problems that may or may not arise wtih getting STD investigations / treatment through your GP / Occupational Health is that they are part of your regualr medical records and a some insurers consider the fact that peopel fel t the need to be tested to be indicative of a 'high risk' lifestyle with consequent loading of insurance premiums for life/ critical illness/ income replacement etc ...

Reply 19

Anonymous #3

That's bull****.
http://www.medfash.org.uk/publications/documents/HIV_test.pdf#search=%22hiv%20tests%20and%20insurance%22

STD tests? How bad are they? (for a guy)

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