Sex & Relationships
safe sex with multiple partners
Swing Safely
My mission in life is to help promote good sexual health – no matter what your sexual preferences are, including ones which some may feel uncomfortable talking about.
Last year I got into big trouble with a family-oriented newspaper when I answered a reader's question about how to engage in safe anal sex. However, I continue to ensure that my patients and readers are informed about their sexual health and well-being.
This week I came across some worrying statistics. A new study has shown that swingers have higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than prostitutes!
The average age of swingers is 45 and over the period of a year, 10.4 percent of swingers that sought medical treatment were diagnosed with either Chlamydia or gonorrhea – compared with just five percent of female prostitutes.
This shows me that the older generation is still very much uninformed about STIs and how to practice safe sex.
The study defines swingers as "straight couples who regularly swap sexual partners and indulge in group sex at organized meetings". There are a number of these clubs in various cities in South Africa, and although their outward appearance may be glamorous – swimming pools, Jacuzzi's, state-of-the-art bars and entertainment – couples shouldn't be fooled into thinking that they can neglect their sexual health.
Remember that in about 70 percent of cases, Chlamydia doesn't present with any symptoms but can have very damaging effects including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility and an increased chance of becoming infected with HIV if exposed to the virus.
Gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men and can spread to the blood or joints. This condition can be life threatening as people with gonorrhoea are also more susceptible to HIV.
If you’re interested in swinging, then please ensure that you and your partner are protected. At the very least, use condoms. I recommend that organisers of swingers parties require attendees to undergo HIV testing beforehand to further ensure the safety of the participants.
If you've been to a swingers party and are worried about your health, visit a doctor as soon as possible to ensure these diseases are treated before they cause permanent damage.
Enjoy your sexual expression, but always put your health and well-being first!
Last updated: Thu, 2010-07-15 10:05
About this blog
Hi, I am Leandie Buys, a qualified clinical sexologist, relationship and trauma counsellor. After working for the SAPS, I realised that my purpose in life is to help heal relationships that have been torn apart by lack of knowledge about sexual concerns and miscommunication. I regard sexual health as vital to your personal wellbeing and in order for you to have healthy, successful relationships, you need to be aware of the various concerns that can affect your sex life. I look forward to giving you advice and the latest updates on sexual health over the next few months.
Daily Picks
Win weekly
Hi Leandie,
As the webmaster of KiwiKlub.com, SA's largest swingers community website, I can only applaud your awareness raising about STD's and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Its an area of obvious concern for all of us, irresepctive of whether you engage in the swinging lifestyle or not.
Unfortunately when it comes to things like this, you don't get a 2nd chance....you can't say Oops! Sorry, lets try this again!
Whilst I would tend to question whether the results are reflective of Africa and the rest of the 3rd world (the study was done in Holland where prostitution is legal AND strictly regulated), the implications are the same - STD's are real and they don't differentiate between rich, poor, black or white!
We all need to get informed, be aware and stay protected!
Speaking as someone who has had significant exposure to the local swinging community, I have found that most SA swingers are reasonably well educated when it comes to SDT's.
For us, unprotected sex is not an option but a pre-requisite!
No sexual activity is without risk, but you can substantially minimise this risk to almost negligable proportions simply by following basic and simple precautions.
No glove, no love!
Regarding your suggestion that organisers of swingers parties require attendees to undergo HIV testing beforehand, its unfortunately not only an impractical solution, but is probably an infringement of peoples human rights as well.
This could be done for small partis I suppose, but knowing the way that most peoplethink, you will be holding a event for 1 since most people will simply go find another place to party!
At the same time, you also need to understand that swinging today is very different to what it used to be.
Keys in the hat are long gone - most swingers today are much more open, more knowledgable and more transparent.
Many don't care who knows that they are swingers and this removal of stigma's has made a huge impact on the lifestyle.
KiwiKlub.com has a wonderful, vibrant community of over 6000 members for whom this is a lifestyle choice - its not just about the "shag" but about being part of an open-minded social community.
In fact, many of our members don't even swing - they just enjoy the freeedom that comes with this lifestyle choice!
But thank you for helping keep us all informed, updated and aware - life is too precious to waste simply because we didn't take the time to read!
Kiwimaster
PS
* Just for the record, the same article also revealed that the rate of infection of swingers was on-par with that of the general non-swinging public and was well below that of homosexuals.
Post new comment