STDs – or what we used to call VD back when I was a teenager – are a very real threat to anybody who has unprotected sex, but that doesn’t mean swingers are more likely to catch them than anybody else. In fact, I think the opposite is possibly true.
Why? Because swingers are generally very responsible people when it comes to using condoms. And certainly, if you’re going to attend swingers clubs and parties, very strict rules regarding condoms will apply. Anybody being irresponsible about it just isn’t welcome.
Also, although those without any experience of the swinging scene often believe swingers come from the lowest areas of society, the truth is that most are middle-classed and educated, and therefore less likely to be irresponsible about this kind of thing.
It’s quite possible that the gay swinging scene where ‘backbacking’ (unprotected sex) is popular has given rise to the belief that straight swingers (if you can call us that being as most female swingers are bi-sexual) are also likely to drop the use of condoms for the sake of their own self-indulgence.
As far as I know, the only case of a swinger contracting HIV because of his or her swinging lifestyle, was back in 1986 when two women in the US contracted the disease whilst having sex with two bi-sexual men. I haven’t heard of any cases here in the UK – although that obviously doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened – so I think we can safely say that the likelihood of catching HIV through swinging is no higher – maybe even lower – than catching it through any other form of sexual encounter with a person who isn’t a regular partner.
As long as you’re responsible and only attend well organised clubs and parties, I really don’t think STDs are anything you need to be worrying about.
Sadie xxx
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