Vaccinations for STD's?

[intuition897 2,179]

I have my physical coming up next week. I plan to bring up to my doctor that we're going to become more sexually active (I'm sure she'll be thrilled about that). Because of this, it's probably a good time to discuss with her any possible steps we can take to protect ourselves, including any vaccinations. I'm thinking specifically of the HPV vaccine, maybe HepB (TwinRix I think?)...anything else anyone can think of that might be good to bring up? Are there more options out there? Birth control isn't an issue for me as I've had a tubal ligation for years now. Although Mr. intuition may want to have his own discussion with her about his surgical options if he thinks he's done having kids.

[MrDiscover 802]

The Hepatitus A+B tests and HPV are the only one I can think of.

 

For Dutch readers: most regional GGD's (Social Health Services) gave them for free to swingers but not anymore (since 1st of January). Costs are around 250 euro (280 USD) for three rounds. Some GP's still do them for free, just ask him or her.

[SW_PA_Couple 4,026]

When my wife signed up with a new OBGYN a few years ago, she told the doc all about swing lifestyle and our active participation in it. Now you would think that a trained physician who is a former officer of the IDF would be shock-proof but my wife almost had to catch her when she turned pale and appeared ready to faint. So the doctor has made it a personal project to find something that needs treatment but has found nothing thus far. My wife and I believe that it is better to give medical people the most complete and accurate overview as we are able.

[intuition897 2,179]

I think this has been a debate on other threads, too: to tell or to not tell your doc about your lifestyle. I'm all for it, because holy shit. You get paid HOW much again? Surely to fuck you can suck it up and be the professional you're getting paid to be and provide me with standard health care. There is no doubt about it, multi-partner sex is physically riskier than monogamy (although I'd take my chances at a swinger's club over any single's meat market bar ANY day). We recognize that and we, as responsible adults, take responsibility for our health, hold ourselves accountable for our behaviour, and we are proactively seeking help from licensed professionals to eliminate as many risks as we can.

 

I had told our doctor about our lifestyle years ago and I expect she was a little shocked, but she kept a poker face and was professional about it. I got the feeling she wasn't a fan, however. She probably thought it was a phase and we got over it. We're baaaaack...

[funcoupledayton 2,708]

Hep B and A would definitely be a good idea and probably covered by insurance. We got them for travel a number of years ago.

 

I would ask your Dr. about the meningococcal meningitis vaccine. It is mostly given to teens/college age, but swinging is a prime way to spread that type of meningitis. A couple years ago there was an outbreak among men attending gay bars in NYC. It is a very serious and often fatal illness transmitted by kissing or sharing drinks.

 

HPV won't be covered (it's close to $300 a shot times 3) and if you have already been active with a good number of people you have most likely been exposed to most of the strains. I think it's a good idea for new swingers who've had few partners in their lives. It was a little cheaper at Planned Parenthood when I got it about 5 years ago, that may not be the case anymore.

[njbm 2,907]

I am aware that the HPV vaccine is generally given to people who are in their 20's. Would they give it to an older person? How about if the person just paid for it themselves, instead of through insurance?

[JAPrufrock 588]

So I've done research on the HPV vaccine, because I'm a prime candidate for it (I've only ever been with my husband, and he was only with three people before me). Turns out, that doesn't matter, if you're over the age of 26 you're shit outta luck as far as insurance coverage is considered. I haven't called my local health department or planned parenthood to get an estimated cost or if they'll even give it to me. I think they would, if I explain my past and that I may be more sexually active in the future. That's a fun conversation. The only thing that Pisses me off is that the only reason they don't cover it is that they only did research on people up to age 26 and they assume everyone else has had enough sexual partners past that time to have already gotten HPV. I like to not assume anything about my own health, I'll be begrudgingly shelling out my own cash for the shots, it's a helluva lot cheaper and safer then cervical or esophageal cancer.

[two4youinswva 3,068]

My understanding is the same as JAPrufrock's. The study was up to age 26, so the FDA only approves to 26. So, no insurance coverage past that age. For some reason, the price of $400 sticks in my head, after a prescreen for prior exposure. Could be way off though.

 

 

I believe there was an attempt to move the approval up to a mid 40's range, but it hasn't happened.

[JAPrufrock 588]

I have considered paying for it myself submitting it to the insurance company, and once it's denied submitting an appeal, but that most likely won't work as it clearly states in the clinical policy bulletin that they don't cover it past 26 (well, 28 for my insurance) and why. It would be a shot in the dark. For my company, they consider the HPV vaccine as always routine, so even if submitted with a medical diagnosis, they still deny it, it won't even go to my ridiculous deductible. *sigh*

[funcoupledayton 2,708]

I have considered paying for it myself submitting it to the insurance company, and once it's denied submitting an appeal, but that most likely won't work as it clearly states in the clinical policy bulletin that they don't cover it past 26 (well, 28 for my insurance) and why. It would be a shot in the dark. For my company, they consider the HPV vaccine as always routine, so even if submitted with a medical diagnosis, they still deny it, it won't even go to my ridiculous deductible. *sigh*

 

There is research for women up to age 45. But, not a CDC recommendation, I don't think any insurance will cover for women in their 30's or 40's.

 

I got it when I was in my late 30's. My Dr. agreed that it made sense for me (same situation as you). Insurance would not cover. It was over $250 a shot at my family Dr. It was about $200 at Planned Parenthood, so I did the third one there. A colposcopy to diagnose cervical cancer is almost $1500 so if your insurance is not great, you'd be better off getting the vaccine. Actually, that's stupid, you'd be better off getting the vaccine period.

 

Research is showing that 2 doses may be effective.

[intuition897 2,179]

Insurance coverage is out of the question for us, I'm sure. But if I could still get the HPV shot, I think it would be worth doing. I know someone - Mr. intuition's friend's girlfriend actually - who died of cervical cancer. I don't think she had even hit her 30's yet. Very sad.