Does your doctor know you swing?

[two4youinswva 3,068]

I found something interesting a while back when messing around on the NCSF website.

 

You can locate a doctor (or other professional) that is kink friendly!

 

Find a Kink Aware Professional in Your Area.

 

 

Now, if only there were more professionals listed, and some in our area!

[Chicup 41]

I know we're an "underground" culture, but holy cow! I had no idea that so many people kept this from their doctor. The way I see it, I don't pay her to have a personal opinion. If she has a personal opinion and voices it, I've known her long enough to let her know that I am an adult making an adult decision, and that it has been given due consideration. I feel that she has enough respect for me to know that if I'm undertaking something of this nature, there must be something more to it than what she knows. That's why I'd be reluctant to ever give this doctor up if we moved. She's not arrogant or egotistical or condescending the way many other doctors I've met have been. If she doesn't know a thing, she admits it. She's seen my family through every bump and bruise, each pregnancy, every illness, and I trust her.

 

I have told her about our "arrangement" and she clammed up pretty good. Which probably means she has an opinion, but is doing her best to keep it professional. In which case it's "don't ask, don't tell". She knows that this is just another factor to consider when asking me questions about my health. As it stands, it's irrelevant since we're inactive.

 

I personally don't want 'multiple sexual partners' checked off on my chart. Doctors are people, people talk, and staff talk even more, your medical records are NOT private no matter what the official line is. A good doctor should be looking out for STD's and the like regardless of what your status is (after all spouses cheat often) and there is really no benefit in telling them.

[intuition897 2,179]

I personally don't want 'multiple sexual partners' checked off on my chart. Doctors are people, people talk, and staff talk even more, your medical records are NOT private no matter what the official line is. A good doctor should be looking out for STD's and the like regardless of what your status is (after all spouses cheat often) and there is really no benefit in telling them.

 

I could care less if they jaw over our personal lives...as long as they keep it at the office. I don't see any reason to NOT keep it from her, OR her staff. It is what it is, we are who we are. I'm not about to apologize for it and I take the inherent risks of having "multiple sexual partners" seriously (not implying that you don't!). For me, this means that my doctor is going to be fully informed when she's making decisions about my health.

 

As far as word travelling outside the office, I'm not too worried. I'm sure they raked me over the coals the first day or so that it was made known to them, and by now, I'm just another one of the "weird ones" in the patient roster. If it does go beyond the walls of the office, I expect it probably ends up as pillow talk, which I don't mind at all. IF something did get out and it was found that it originated from their office, it could mean problems for them, so they have themselves to protect to some degree as well. I worked at a dental office, and would tell Mr. about my day and some of the patients, but I was always aware of my responsibility as far as their privacy was concerned. I didn't use last names or any other identifiers. Why bother? I was just venting about my day, not getting involved in a patient's life.

 

How does that saying go? "People would worry less about what others thought of them if they only realized how seldom they do."

[Guest ic7175]

It's likely making it out of the office. I was once at a party attended by several nurses. One briefly worked where another was a long-time nurse. The former mentioned that she was shocked to see who came in for Viagra, even dropping a couple names. The second nurse took that as a reason to list everyone she could remember. Not just names, but how often they are back for refills, and even recalled some office conversations regarding Viagra. After this several other nurses added their stories, although some left out the names.

 

I was shocked at what all was revealed to a very large group of people. This wasn't just shop talk amongst the nurses.

[fun4Ds 1,098]

It's likely making it out of the office. I was once at a party attended by several nurses. One briefly worked where another was a long-time nurse. The former mentioned that she was shocked to see who came in for Viagra, even dropping a couple names. The second nurse took that as a reason to list everyone she could remember. Not just names, but how often they are back for refills, and even recalled some office conversations regarding Viagra. After this several other nurses added their stories, although some left out the names.

 

I was shocked at what all was revealed to a very large group of people. This wasn't just shop talk amongst the nurses.

 

Personally I cant imagine this happening at a swingers party I have ever attended. If so, I would refrain from the person or persons you were around. One of my sisters has been a RN for as long as I can remember. Sure they may talk shop after hours but to list names in this way ? I dunno. I can't imagine the need to recall who came in for Viagra refills at allllll. Some people I suppose.

 

 

I think they have better stories than who I have sex with or how often. Like the successful man in every town in the USA. Who some nurse who is related to someone they know, who was on duty when the very well known successful man came in with a giant dildo lodged in his butt . The urban legends live on in doctors offices as well. I always felt sorry for that millionaire in every town... I mean come onnnn. Everyone knows millionaires have personal doctors that can make house calls for the removal of objects from their butts . They don't go into emergency rooms for those kind of procedures.

 

I trust my doctor with my personal stuff as well as my attorney. Besides, the nurses make me feel really good about myself as well. If they know I'm a swinger, then I guess I have a really good reason for appreciating their smiles....

[widowerman 55]

This poll reminds me of another odd occurrence. Do you confess to your priest, minister, rabbi or whatever holy man you believe in of what you do in the lifestyle? I know a man who is a devout Catholic who is also a swinger and who attends church every Sunday and sometimes everyday. Is he a hypocrite to be a player and still worship his God and Jesus? I don’t think so. He is comfortable in what he does, however, his confessor, a priest is fed up with this man’s constant “sinning”. The Church refuses to give absolution of this man’s sins. And this from a Catholic priest who’s most important tenet of the religion is one of forgiveness with a secondary principle of understanding.

 

I was once a good Old Catholic boy myself, being born in an Italian family with religious relics and bibles and forced Holy Communion followed by becoming a soldier of Christ upon Confirmation. In a way I will still defend the old faith, however I cannot defend a simple minded people who cannot see the world for what it is. There are a great many more sins then the “sin” of sex. I’m amazed, more appalled on how luck luster religion is towards the sin of war. These people, just like the doctors who do not condemn war and all of its misery are really the blind ones.

 

Should you confess to your doctor of the lifestyle? My question is more of why? Will what you do have any effect on your doctor’s prognosis? That will come into play if you have a communicable disease that is spread through sex. There will be no need to consult a brain surgeon on being sexually safe. We know the rules and risks, that is why we are human. From an early age we have two messages. Sex is bad for you and can give you a scar. The other is sex is great and just like air, when you don’t have any is when you notice it.

 

Besides, just where do you inform your doctor of your lifestyle? Do you check off sex as a hobby on the questioner?

[fun4Ds 1,098]

Besides, just where do you inform your doctor of your lifestyle? Do you check off sex as a hobby on the questioner?

 

I really don't remember a sexual questionnaire with my family doctor ? I have had him a while. I do remember a few years back when I was getting blood work done for other reasons I asked for Std's to be checked. He did ask if I felt at risk. That was the first time I said yes we are in the swinging lifestyle. He just said "oh, O.K." That was it. Well,, he had a very big grin on his face Then again a few months ago I had blood (LAB) work done again. I asked for STD testing and he asked again "Do you feel at risk" I said "well, we are still in the swinging lifestyle" he said " Oh yea, thats wright" He didn't even ask anything more about the lifestyle. He just logged it in his lap top computer to do the extra blood tests. I watched this in the privacy of the examining room. I received the summary for my insurance and the billing. They pretty much said everything that was discussed about disability claims, and work preformed. Nothing about us being swingers.

 

I don't know, maybe I'm wrong. I just cant see a big deal talking to my doctor and being honest.

[Guest screaminggood]

A bigger concern than the doctor and staff: Your records are completely open to your insurance company...and they do profile other high risk activities?

[Guest ic7175]

Personally I cant imagine this happening at a swingers party I have ever attended. ...

 

This was not a swing party. Just a holiday gathering at someone's house.

 

Regardless, I agree that the lack of discretion was appalling. As much as possible, we have avoided socializing with the RN's that blabbed.

[elephantboy67 15]

The problem is Medical records. What is he going to put in your chart after hearing that?

 

You can't really control what he does with that info. So I work on the need to know basis.

 

Yes I have told him I have sex outside of marriage. I did withhold the part about us swapping partners, or the group grope.

 

That's just me. I don't want to be on a computer data base in the future as a known perv. HEHEHE

[MRnMSbhaven 45]

We're upfront with our Doc about everything! We can't be safe if we're not honest with the person that helps us stay that way. Details are unimportant unless we feel it may affect our health. She doesn't need to know anything other than I have an open relationship in order to make sure she tests me for everything. As for medical records, there's not a damn thing I can do about that. They already say I'm a nut job... what's one more entry?

 

Ms B

[BiloxiCouple 695]

I am not one to repeat gossip, so you better listen close the first time.

 

Yep, the official line is the privacy thing that we all sign. But what is the majority of nurses made up of? Women. What do a majority of them do? Gossip. Get some liquor in them and you can learn all kinds of dirty secrets. Get them at a swingers party and all the dirty sex secrets they know will come out.

 

[JustAskJulie 2,595]

A bigger concern than the doctor and staff: Your records are completely open to your insurance company...and they do profile other high risk activities?

 

Good point. This also makes it accessible to many within the insurance company. Pet used to work for an insurance company and he has said several times that he would never admit something like this to a dr when he was working there as employee medical files were practically free game.

[rpu3 630]

A bigger concern than the doctor and staff: Your records are completely open to your insurance company...and they do profile other high risk activities?

 

Correct, and it potentially becomes available at a life insurance underwriting exam, as well, if the MD documented the disclosures.

 

I've said this in other threads, but the confidentiality issues are why I do not disclose to my MD or OB/GYN. I test regularly, but I do it through my local health clinic, and that information is not disclosed.

 

I am honest with the clinic MD. My personal MDs are not given information that I wouldn't want my employer, insurance company or life insurance underwriter seeing, not if there's a perfectly good alternative available.

[Vjklander 138]

Our doc is fully aware of our kinky activities. I think it is important for the doc to know that information and he always asks if he should include an STD workup when he orders other lab work. We generally alternate and skip STD checks if we haven't engaged in any risky behavior since the previous checks. But the first question should have just stopped after lifestyle. Whether or not he supports it is quite irrelevant. We share pleasures and indulge in fairly moderate BDSM. The staff knows too, we frequently get side questions about different sexual practices. They also always save some Viagra swag for us. But even given all that, the pet name they have for us is 'the lovebirds'. Since we are going on 31 years, I think we must be doing something right.

[imsherona2 15]

I believe we are in the majority here that is: Dr. is unaware of my lifestyle & it stays that way! IF we thought we had been exposed to an STD or otherwise we would certainly share that with our Dr., but I haven't and won't just walk in there and say "hey doc, BTW, we are swingers...just thought you'd want to know!!

[des1re06 200]

My GYN is a lady, and knows that I am bi-sexual and have multiple partners. Why else would I ask for quarterly STD exams?

 

Mrs. D

[larry818 58]

I'm kind of lucky, we met a swinging doctor early on and go to him for anything we might think would be swinging related. Our regular HMO doc knows nothing (in every sense).

[hmr 25]

Our doc knows, but it is not in our records for a very good reason. Mom works at the office.

[cubnamy1995 124]

Our regular doc does not know because we know him socially outside the office in a very vanilla sense. We do get tested regularly, but we each go to different docs for that. We go outside our local community to have that done, just to keep things discrete. If we were ever in a situation that it became necessary for him to know, we'd tell him, but until that happens, it keeps our lives less complicated this way.

[intuition897 2,179]

Our doc knows, but it is not in our records for a very good reason. Mom works at the office.

 

Oooookay, this would probably be a very good reason not to tell.

 

Otherwise, the whole idea of what boils down to latent blackmail just pisses me right off!

 

Am I hearing this right? That I need to potentially jeopardize my health (by not disclosing pertinent information to my doctor) to avoid the risk of my insurance company not paying out for life insurance if, God forbid, anything should happen to either of us? Is that correct? Does anyone else see something wrong with this picture or am I just crazy?? The idea that our insurance company would try to stiff us by using the excuse, "Well, they were swingers! Of course they were high risk*. They died in a car accident? Likely because the driver was getting a blowjob from his buddy's wife! So it's swinger-related. They likely were rife with STDs anyway so good riddance." Man, that blows! *Stats show that swingers are NOT at a significantly higher risk for STDs than some other groups. If I didn't have anyone else but me to worry about, I'd be inclined to say TAKE me to court! And we'll just see what the facts support. But in reality (where we're all supposed to be living), that doesn't fucking work either.

[rachan 53]

My doctor knows that we're into this but he isn't judgemental. He always tells us about the risks but we know that. The other members of our little group are checked out too. I enjoy having unprotected intercourse.

[rpu3 630]

Am I hearing this right? That I need to potentially jeopardize my health (by not disclosing pertinent information to my doctor) to avoid the risk of my insurance company not paying out for life insurance if, God forbid, anything should happen to either of us? Is that correct?

 

When I talked life & health insurance in my post specifically, I am talking about it from an underwriting point of view - the decision whether or not to insure someone in the first place.

 

If you had life insurance and died in a car accident, the policy would pay in most instances - your swinging, if discovered AFTER a car accident, most likely would not be a factor as to the claim settlement, unless there was a question on the life insurance application regarding sex practices that was not answered honestly that may void the policy for material misrepresentation.

 

Now, if I've applied for health and/or life insurance, and my medical records are obtained, it is within the realm of possibility there may be an issue underwriting either policy, or it may impact their rates. If a life or health insurer can provide actuarial justification that any practice a person may have makes that person a risk not in the insurer's favor, you can bet it's in their underwriting rules and in their rates. Do I know this for sure? No - I don't have my life or health insurer's underwriting rules. But it's feasible enough that I just separate the sexual health testing from my regular MD visits by using the city clinic.

 

Doesn't make it right, though. One should feel comfortable disclosing to their health care provider. I don't - not because of a lack of trust in my MD, but because I don't want any reason to be declined or charged higher rates for health or life insurance and I like my privacy.

[couplewanting50 65]

Oooookay, this would probably be a very good reason not to tell.

 

Otherwise, the whole idea of what boils down to latent blackmail just pisses me right off!

 

Am I hearing this right? That I need to potentially jeopardize my health (by not disclosing pertinent information to my doctor) to avoid the risk of my insurance company not paying out for life insurance if, God forbid, anything should happen to either of us? Is that correct? Does anyone else see something wrong with this picture or am I just crazy?? The idea that our insurance company would try to stiff us by using the excuse, "Well, they were swingers! Of course they were high risk*. They died in a car accident? Likely because the driver was getting a blowjob from his buddy's wife! So it's swinger-related. They likely were rife with STDs anyway so good riddance." Man, that blows! *Stats show that swingers are NOT at a significantly higher risk for STDs than some other groups. If I didn't have anyone else but me to worry about, I'd be inclined to say TAKE me to court! And we'll just see what the facts support. But in reality (where we're all supposed to be living), that doesn't fucking work either.

 

No, you don't need to jeopardize your health.... at all. You can still get tested as often as you like, for whatever you like. You just don't have to put a statement about your swinging on a banner behind an airplane and tow it around the city.

 

Chicup has written a number of times regarding the varied risks that you expose yourself to if you tell your doctor and it ends up in your records. Once it is in there, it won't come out. It is hard to guess how that might one day be used, or leaked, and what effect may occur.

 

You can still have your tests and lose nothing. In your case, however, it is a bit late. The doctor knows now. You seem more outraged by the violation of ideals that you hold, than a practical analysis of realistic circumstances.

 

Ideally, we should be able to tell our doctor anything. In reality, there are considerable risks, many of which we not be able to predict at this time. Meaning, maybe we can't.

[duo33470 15]

Do you guys think it is important to let your doctor, and in particular, your wife's GYN doctor, know that you swing?

 

I am just curious. If you have followed our posts, we have started engaging in some higher than normal risk activities (gangbangs). Even though we are using condoms, we are still nervous about. My wife has an appointment in 2 weeks for a routine check. We are debating whether we should say anything.

[VegasLee 1,486]

Yes, our doctors know. One of our doctors is in the Lifestyle also but we don't play with him.

 

Personally we feel it is important that our doctors know. They know better what to look for if there is something wrong with us.

[Mr. Truelove 81]

I agree with Vegas Lee.

 

Although I have had to tell my doctor twice now because he forgot the first time. Haha. I guess he is just too used to me being married for it to occur to him otherwise.

[hughb 45]

I would NOT divulge that information. You never know what he'll write in the chart and you never know who might read that chart. They don't need to know. If you have specific health concerns that might be affected by your lifestyle, discretely ask the doc to rule out those specific concerns without divulging all the juicy details.

 

Remember there are lots of people who might have access to that chart including transcriptionists, clerical/filing people, phys. asst, nurses etc. And that's just in the office. What if the file was subpoenaed for an auto accident, work injury or insurance review? If the average person (or 19 year old clerical help girl) saw "gangbang" in the chart the tongues would definitely wag.

[Mr. Truelove 81]

I would NOT divulge that information. You never know what he'll write in the chart and you never know who might read that chart. They don't need to know. If you have specific health concerns that might be affected by your lifestyle, discretely ask the doc to rule out those specific concerns without divulging all the juicy details.

 

Remember there are lots of people who might have access to that chart including transcriptionists, clerical/filing people, phys. asst, nurses etc. And that's just in the office. What if the file was subpoenaed for an auto accident, work injury or insurance review? If the average person (or 19 year old clerical help girl) saw "gangbang" in the chart the tongues would definitely wag.

 

I don't give him specifics, just tell him I am not monogamous. Yet to have a problem with it...

 

Sure everything has it's risks... so does swinging...

[CXXC 435]

If you really that concerned, just tell him you have been unfaithful and maight be again! Then tell him not to write that in the cahrt! He will know and no one else will!

 

Also, even if he does write "Unfaithful" in the chart and some 19 y/o transcribe drone reads it, they generally forgive and forget quite quickly. Swinging on the other hand..........

[SW_PA_Couple 4,024]

Do you guys think it is important to let your doctor,

I told my PCP. He though I was trying to deflect the conversation away from the lecture he was giving me on how loose weight. At the end of the physical, he gave me a big pack of condoms and told I'd be wise to use them. JoAnn told her GYN. The doc turned all kinds of shades or red as if she had never heard of such a thing. Funny, exact same reaction; gave her a pack prophylactics. Her eventual advice was that the regular stuff that comes up in an exam is about as good you can do to be sure you're OK.

[VegasLee 1,486]

I would NOT divulge that information. You never know what he'll write in the chart and you never know who might read that chart. They don't need to know. If you have specific health concerns that might be affected by your lifestyle, discretely ask the doc to rule out those specific concerns without divulging all the juicy details.

 

Remember there are lots of people who might have access to that chart including transcriptionists, clerical/filing people, phys. asst, nurses etc. And that's just in the office. What if the file was subpoenaed for an auto accident, work injury or insurance review? If the average person (or 19 year old clerical help girl) saw "gangbang" in the chart the tongues would definitely wag.

 

I don't worry about "tongues wagging" when it comes to my Lifestyle. I don't go into details but I give my doctor the information he needs to be sure I am healthy. I don't do anything illegal so I don't have anything to worry about.

 

Not telling him would be like me taking my car in for repairs and not telling them that the parts are falling off. They can't fix it if they don't know what is wrong.

 

Have had the same doctors and insurance company for over 20 years. Been in court defending my lifestyle also. Has not been a problem yet.

[hughb 45]

And I gotta tell ya Vegas Lee I wish I had your cajones (metaphorically speaking of course). But I know for a fact eyebrows would be raised in some offices and secrets might leak.

 

But I do respect your openness and you are right about legality and morality.

[LFM2 1,482]

I haven't come right out and told my healthcare providers that I swing, but I am honest and they know we're not monogamous.

 

I want to give them a clear picture of my health. If they ask a question, give them an honest answer. You can't have optimum health unless you're completely honest with your caregiver. I'm not embarrassed to tell them either. We've all had sex. What's interesting is that Dave is usually with me when I go to my appts. Even my undercarriage checks. To tell them that we're not monogamous when we're both in the room raises eyebrows, but so what? I laugh.

 

Being an RN in Labor/delivery, there is nothing worse than when a couple comes in and she thinks she's in labor. You ask if they've had sex in the past 24 hours and they say no, when you know damn well they have. What the hell is so embarrassing about having sex? They wouldn't be there in the first place unless they had sex.

[fun4Ds 1,098]

Our doctors know, and our attorney knows.

 

Funny thing, our attorney wanted all the details and our doctors wanted few details.

[vanillaknot 99]

We met our GP at our local swinger club. :-)

[LFM2 1,482]

We met our GP at our local swinger club. :-)

 

LOVE IT!!

[Unsub 15]

My general practitioner does not know. When I went in for a problem I had her look at something that turned out to be genital warts. When she looked at the suspicious growth I asked if it could be HPV and her reply is "just keep up with your paps." and that was it.

 

My ob-gyn knows I am not monogamous and thats all she needs to know ( hubby went in with me the first time. Never got a second look. My swinger friend refferred me to her so I felt comfortable. She was surprised at what my Dr had said about the "get reg paps". If I hadnt gone to her with my concerns who knows when I would have found out?

 

You have to be honest with your Doctors, they dont have to know your intimate details. My family doc said I dont need the HPV vaccine because I am not high risk. But my gyno said yes you do because I am high risk....

[SW_PA_Couple 4,024]

Unsub said:

You have to be honest with your Doctors, they dont have to know your intimate details. My family doc said I dont need the HPV vaccine because I am not high risk. But my gyno said yes you do because I am high risk....

OK, from what I know (or think I know) about HPV, after a person becomes infected, having the vaccine does no good. After a person is infected, his or her immune system goes to work on it. Most medical people (I'm talking about dermatologists) are reluctant to treat the warts owing to the fact that they usually disappear on their own within a year or two. Correct me if I'm wrong here

[Unsub 15]

SW_PA_Couple said:

OK, from what I know (or think I know) about HPV, after a person becomes infected, having the vaccine does no good. After a person is infected, his or her immune system goes to work on it. Most medical people (I'm talking about dermatologists) are reluctant to treat the warts owing to the fact that they usually disappear on their own within a year or two. Correct me if I'm wrong here

 

Well Michael, your partially right. When I originally spoke with my Dr a year ago about getting the vaccine I was considered high risk. Now, with the likely hood that I am infected with one of the HPV's that cause warts, I still could get the vaccine because I am still at risk for the others, like my Dr said, it couldn't hurt. Wether I will or wont at this point I am still researching. With over 80 different forms of HPV ranging from low risk to high risk forms, the vaccine only covers 4. Two of which are for HPV 16 and 18, these two types cause 70% of cervical cancer. The other two HPV types that the vaccine includes are 6 and 11 which cause 90% of genital warts. I could say that I should have got the vaccine a year ago when I asked about it, but there is no real sure way to know that my warts of of the specific variety that commonly are associated with it. I could have been exposed to HPV 30,40-45, 51 or 54 instead....

 

Take a look at this table which shows the different forms of HPV and what the risks are:

Types of HPV

 

I have read also that the warts will possibly clear up in a year or two. Call me impatient, but I have seen pictures of some really bad cases, and I wish not to let it go that far. So I choose to treat the few I have.

[SW_PA_Couple 4,024]

. . . I still could get the vaccine because I am still at risk for the others, like my Dr said, it couldnt hurt. . .

This is very interesting information. And I can understand completely why you or anyone having this same circumstance would now be considering a vaccination. I agree that the doctors do not need to know all of the intimate details -- just the essentials.

[joesharo 15]

Sharon and I had been monogamous with each other for several years before joining the lifestyle. We have always been honest with our respective GP's. Every yearly checkup my GP would jokingly ask me if I needed an STD test, which I would of course always refuse. Then we had our first encounter with another couple. The next checkup, the GP asked again. When I said, "as a matter of fact..." the look on his face was priceless! Just got a bit of a lecture about condoms and avoiding anal, and we were OK again. Needless to say, STD testing is automatically on the schedule now (twice yearly)!

[GerdOEvert 51]

Yes, we shared that information with our Gynecologist.

 

But some warnings. If you swing you will probably get those damn genital warts,

and they should be removed. Chlamydia.

 

Then there is the risk of herpes. Pain in the butt. [we missed that]

 

And then there is HIV. [We missed that too.}

 

But all in all the health risks sure are a downer.

 

Bottom Line: Your Doctor cannot optimally help you unless he/she is informed. Stupid not to be candid. He is sworn to secrecy by professional ethics.

[SnowDragon 48]

Reading some of the comments I am surprised about not telling your Doctor as a concern about tongues waging. I understand the desire to keep things private but there HIPPA. It is a pain but it makes sure that your privacy is withheld. I agree with the car analogy.

 

Now I have been reading some things and I wanted to get facts.. I have been seeing that over 75% of men have HPV and something like that for women. Its not like the other STD's because only a few can cause warts or cancer. How serious does most swingers take it? It seems to clear on its own and if regular paps it can be managed and treated if it is the type to cause cancer. Any thoughts? Am I missing anything?

[funcoupledayton 2,708]

I did tell my doctor. The way I phrased it was saying that I'm in an open marriage and both my husband and I have multiple partners. I didn't say swinging because I didn't want to get into a discussion of what swinging was. She didn't bat an eye. She asked about condoms and offered to test me for stds. She recommended I get the hpv vaccine, which I did. Since I'm over 26 years old my insurance doesn't cover it. It's very expensive ($260 per shot times 3 shots) so I'm going to get the 3rd shot at Planned Parenthood which is about $60 less.

 

I have no concerns about my doctor maintaining my confidentiality. She's been my family doctor for 12 years and I trust her. On the other hand, if my husband and I were outed it wouldn't be that big of a deal.

 

I worked in the medical field for quite awhile. In my training we were exposed to all sorts of patient scenarios (in order to desensitize ourselves I suppose). So most drs and nurses have heard and seen it all, and many of them are swingers too!

[Psyche 37]

...Just got a bit of a lecture about condoms and avoiding anal...

 

Why avoid anal?

 

I'm going to my doctor next week. We just decided to start swinging a few weeks ago. I'm kinda nervous about talking to her, but I realize it's important for her know. I certainly don't want her in the dark when it comes to advising me about my health.

[Fundamental Law 2,885]

From a physician...

 

1. Tell your doctor. It's part of your health history.

2. Note the consistent recommendation in this thread about condom use as a risk-management strategy. Swinging carries risks. Swinging bareback carries more risks.

[Chicup 41]

From a physician...

 

1. Tell your doctor. It's part of your health history.

2. Note the consistent recommendation in this thread about condom use as a risk-management strategy. Swinging carries risks. Swinging bareback carries more risks.

 

Being I know a local politician has an STD via his dentist who found out from his patient who is the politicians doctors nurse, one should always we aware that going to your doctor isn't going to confession, people will often talk out of turn.

 

You can ask for STD tests and things like the HPV vaccine without explaining why.

[Dont.Stop 339]

Since Mrs. and I are just starting out in the LS, we scheduled an appointment with our GP. We were going to say we are swinging, but "not monogamous" sounds much better. But we do agree that Doc has to know what we are doing to know what to look for.

[TnMtns 16]

I would NOT divulge that information. You never know what he'll write in the chart and you never know who might read that chart. They don't need to know. If you have specific health concerns that might be affected by your lifestyle, discretely ask the doc to rule out those specific concerns without divulging all the juicy details.

 

Remember there are lots of people who might have access to that chart including transcriptionists, clerical/filing people, phys. asst, nurses etc. And that's just in the office. What if the file was subpoenaed for an auto accident, work injury or insurance review? If the average person (or 19 year old clerical help girl) saw "gangbang" in the chart the tongues would definitely wag.

 

I totally agree. What if your insurance increased your premium or did not cover certain diseases. Dont think it could happen? Ask smokers, all they did was make a lifestyle desision and tell their doctor.