opening up to my Doctor

[Ringfinger]

First of all, why is it necessary?

 

[KaraBulut]

Straight people get the same STD tests as gay people. There's no need to discuss your sexuality with healthcare professionals.

All we care about is what you do... we don't care who you do it with. If you're sexually active, then say so and ask for STD testing.

 

[soccerboy029]

Yup, seeing as HIV is not a gay only disease.

 

[KaraBulut]

just need to tell the doctor that I have been sexually active since last August

Correct.

Here's why- the term "straight" and "gay" don't help identify high risk behavior.

The studies are saying that more and more male-female couples are having unprotected anal sex. We don't need to know that the woman considers herself "straight". We just need to know that she's in a high risk category and that we need to test her for HIV.

And these days, if anyone asks for an STD screen they get tested for HIV and syphilis. If you haven't had the Hep B immunization (and every gay man SHOULD get the Hep B series), then you may be screened for hepatitis, also.

 

[M4P]

In order to be properly treated I think it is in your best interest to tell your doctor everything. He/she keeps your information confidential and they have heard it all. There is no reason to be shy about this

 

[purina]

What is a standard STD screen - just blood tests? What about anal swabs for men, or oral for that matter?

 

[spencer]

my doctor forced me to come out to him, lol.

Dr.: Are you sexually active?
Me: Not recently.
Dr.: Well, when you are sexually active is it with a man or a woman.
Me: Mostly men.
Dr.: When was the last time you've been tested for HIV.

I did ask him if I needed a Hepatitis B vaccine and he said no, not unless you're exposed to fecal matter. (I contemplated saying I could be, but chickened out then)

Dr's have heard and seen it all. He can also tell during your rectal exam if you've been using it too :O

 

[bullwing413]

my doctor forced me to come out to him, lol.

Dr.: Are you sexually active?
Me: Not recently.
Dr.: Well, when you are sexually active is it with a man or a woman.
Me: Mostly men.
Dr.: When was the last time you've been tested for HIV.

I did ask him if I needed a Hepatitis B vaccine and he said no, not unless you're exposed to fecal matter. (I contemplated saying I could be, but chickened out then)

Dr's have heard and seen it all. He can also tell during your rectal exam if you've been using it too :O

Your doctor gave you bad advice. You should be getting the Hepatitis B vaccine, here's why....

Transmission

Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and infected bodily fluids. This can occur through:

• direct blood-to-blood contact
• unprotected sex
• unsterile needles
• from an infected woman to her newborn during the delivery process.

Other possible routes of infection include sharing sharp instruments such as razors, toothbrushes or earrings. Body piercing, tattooing and acupuncture are also possible routes of infection unless sterile needles are used
Hepatitis B is NOT transmitted casually. It cannot be spread through sneezing, coughing, hugging or eating food prepared by someone who is infected with hepatitis B. Everyone is at some risk for a hepatitis B infection, but some groups are at higher risk because of their occupation or life choices.
High Risk Groups

• Health care workers and emergency personnel
• Infants born to mothers who are infected at the time of delivery
• Partners or individuals living in close household contact with an infected person
• Individuals with multiple sex partners, past or present
• Individuals who have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease
• Illicit drug users (injecting, inhaling, snorting, popping pills)
• Men who have sex with men
• Individuals who received a blood transfusion prior to 1992
• Individuals who get tattoos or body piercing
• Individuals who travel to countries where hepatitis B is common (Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)
• Individuals emigrating from countries where hepatitis B is common, or born to parents who emigrated from these countries (see above)
• Families adopting children from countries where hepatitis B is common (see above)
• Individuals with early kidney disease or undergoing kidney dialysis
• Individuals who use blood products for medical conditions (i.e.hemophilia)
• Residents and staff of correctional facilities and group homes

While I don't think you have reveal any secret to anyone, it does help to be able to trust your physician and he/she should never be judgemental. Nevertheless, you may encounter a bias that is unspoken and just sensed..if so find another doctor, there are plenty out there. Doctors need to care about their patients, if your doctor doesn't seem to care about you -gay or str8 or any other adjective you can place before the term "patient" then they need a different job and you need a different doctor.

 

[spencer]

chill bullwing, that was back when I wasn't out to my dr.

he's on board now. maybe i posted it vagely but read again what I wrote.

 

[heightsboi]

If you want an HIV test, why not just ask? It may open up the conversation.

Your doctor is required to maintain confidentiality of information obtained in the course of a health exam, unless you tell them you're about to harm yourself or someone else. Confidential information includes sexual activities and drug use, as well as all your other personal health history.

Aside from finding a competent provider, being honest, forward, and open is best way to ensure you get the proper tests and care you need.

 

[M4P]

But, aren't some doctors anti-gay? I did ask him indirectly as supposedly asking for a "friend" who's looking for a Gay friendly Doctor, and he said that he has a few patients like that.

I suppose some are but I'd like to think most are above that If he/she is anti-gay find one who isn't

 

[Reprobate]

For those in the US who wish to get tested confidentialy and avoid insurance companies issues check to see if your local health dept offers testing, most test for HEP-B and or C and HIV and may test for other STD's. Most test high risk individuals for free. For any remaining tests that you may still need to get contact your local planned parenthood office (I know, sounds counter intuitive) to see if they provide STD testing for men.

Tests may be free, a sliding fee or full price depending on your area.

If these services are not available in your county then try a larger neighboring county, use a friends address or ask if they see out of county individuals.

 

[Corny]

I did ask him if I needed a Hepatitis B vaccine and he said no, not unless you're exposed to fecal matter. (I contemplated saying I could be, but chickened out then)

that's a dangerous wrong statement.

Dr's have heard and seen it all. He can also tell during your rectal exam if you've been using it too :O

and if he said that, too - i would look for a new doctor.

 

[Paws]

I came out to my doctor the last visit because otherwise he was very inhibited to give me a Hep B vaccination unless I working in health care or as a straight porn actor. As I didn't want to pass off as either of those, I told him I'm gay.

His reaction:

Followed by the usual "Are you HIV tested?". He didn't seem to bother much though. In the waiting room he even has a flyer about "travelling with AIDS", so I thought he must be able to deal with my openness.

 

[KaraBulut]

Dr's have heard and seen it all. He can also tell during your rectal exam if you've been using it too :O

and if he said that, too - i would look for a new doctor.

I didn't comment on that because there was a thread a few months ago where we argued this question back and forth.

Seriously- I've had my fingers and hands up a lot of asses (for work and play). Unless you are sitting on half-liter coke bottles on a regular basis, there's no way we can tell. Most people are really tense in the exam room and unless you have a fetish for physical exams, most people have trouble relaxing. There's not anything unusual about the way a rectal exam feels in a gay man vs. straight man or top vs. bottom (except maybe the straight guys whine a bit more?).

 

[Reprobate]

I couldn't afford the lowest cost that is charged by the Pima County Health Dept. I get the basic HIV and syphylis testings every chance I get when the Mobile units hit the Bars. They have all turned out to be Negetive, and those are free testing.

Try planned parenthood, our local office provides the most wide ranging availability of tests and they charge on a sliding scale. Continue to get your HIV tests from the mobile unit but please do it at least once every 3 months.