My old blog was more generally sex-oriented, whereas this one is BDSM oriented mainly. But something I’d like to incorporate from the old blog is education about STIs. I figure if you’re going to talk about sex you need to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly. I thought this article was fascinating though, and it goes along with my general thinking that STI risks are blown out of proportion as a way to control people’s sexuality. Turns out with HIV that’s actually true. The hysteria of the past 25 years? Overblown in regards to a heterosexual pandemic. Of course, I can understand why it was overblown in the early days, no one knew what this new disease was or how you got it exactly. But with knowledge hasn’t come a backing off of the scaremongering.
At any rate, it’s knowledge like this that confirms my belief in taking calculated risks sexually. Yes I swing, yes I’m a slut, but I use condoms without fail. Condoms are terrific in preventing HIV and hepatitis C. Most of the other diseases are easily curable. That leaves HPV and herpes. With the HPV risk I make sure I get regular pap tests to head off any potential cancer issues. With herpes I just have to accept the risk. Considering people who have it aren’t contagious many more days than they are, I don’t consider it a huge risk even so. Your mileage may vary, but I accept that disease risk is a part of life. I risk disease every day I go work with the public. Doesn’t keep me from going to work. Why would I let it keep me from having sex? Testing is imperfect at best so I don’t rely on it (but do get tested anyway because if something comes up I want to be able to take care of it.)
(On a side note I had to giggle at the name of the doctor cited in the article. Dr. de Cock!? Ok, Beavis and Butthead moment over.)
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