Is soft swap safer than full swap?

[njbm 2,879]

From an STI/ STD perspective. Soft swap includes oral sex, full swap is referring to sexual intercourse. 

[MS1999 38]

If you use condoms I would think they are reasonable close to the same levels of risk.  I think the risks in soft swap are quite low, but maybe not as low as some think they are. And the risks of full swap are a little higher that I would think 

[lcmim 1,082]

That depends a lot on how you do soft swap. That can be anywhere from watching other people to having a face full and a mouthful of their body fluids. I don't think juices in the eye or any safer than juices anywhere else.

[njbm 2,879]

We started out soft swap ( no swalllowing), progressed to full swap. Thought condoms equalled safe sex. Maybe for HIV, not for HPV, HSV. 

Even with condom usage, we are hearing about an uptick in STI/STD problems among our acquaintances. Our peers are too old for the HPV vaccine (over 45). 

[NWAtlSwing 522]

We have always seen "Soft Swap" to mean no physical interaction. That is pretty darn safe. Maybe you could get crabs using the same sheets?

[adamgunn 1,460]

25 minutes ago, NWAtlSwing said:

We have always seen "Soft Swap" to mean no physical interaction. That is pretty darn safe. Maybe you could get crabs using the same sheets?

Our definition of soft-swap is no PIV. Other than that, kissing, petting, oral sex is allowed (and encouraged, usually!)

[njbm 2,879]

1 hour ago, NWAtlSwing said:

We have always seen "Soft Swap" to mean no physical interaction. That is pretty darn safe. Maybe you could get crabs using the same sheets?

Never heard of that. That would be called “watching” to us. Every couple has to discuss their limits before playing to avoid misunderstandings. 

[EastInWest 1,524]

We believe so. At least for HIV, the risks are estimated to be something like 80% lower than with unprotected intercourse. Given the relatively low prevalence outside of specific groups and that transmission rates are not that high for one-off encounters to begin with, it's close to a non-issue.

 

Herpes is still very real, but at least you can eyeball some of the risk, and condoms don't fully protect against it, either.

 

At the end of the day, we talked about this early on when it came to my very specific interest in watching her give head, and her view was that she'd never given head over a condom and wasn't about to start now.

[njbm 2,879]

Condoms are also fairly ineffective against HPV, for those over 45 who are not approved for vaccination. 

[robaval 220]

With the Rona of 19/20, we stopped all swing activity and canceled all trips.  We each have had 2 and 3 complete physicals and are testing out great.   For now and the future, watching and exhibitionism is it for us.   We've canceled out at least three Mexico trips and all fun USA trips since February of 2020.  It's the times!  Julie and Robb

[njbm 2,879]

10 hours ago, robaval said:

With the Rona of 19/20, we stopped all swing activity and canceled all trips.  We each have had 2 and 3 complete physicals and are testing out great.   For now and the future, watching and exhibitionism is it for us.   We've canceled out at least three Mexico trips and all fun USA trips since February of 2020.  It's the times!  Julie and Robb

 it is smart to retire undefeated. 

[robaval 220]

undefeated is a win,,,,,,,,,,,,LOL         We like the energy of swing clubs and resorts, so will stick with exhibitionism for the time being!!!  Julie

[robaval 220]

we have heard of uptick in hpv problems with friends, which prompted us to cool it and start testing/doctoring.. Our little, young, wiener butt doctor about fainted when we leveled with him..... He was surprised we had been so "active",  LOL,,   julie

[njbm 2,879]

We are also hearing about a big HPV uptick. A few of our friends have had surgical interventions. We are getting scared straight and nudism and exhibitionism are sounding more appealing to us, too. 
 

It appears that consistent condom use is not safe sex for HPV purposes. A big misunderstanding on my part.