SouthOfTheBorder

agree - the question was to providers because the job depends on being healthy.  my assumption was providers would be more likely to engage in safer practices & mitigation than the average city person on the apps.

agree - the question was to providers because the job depends on being healthy.  my assumption was providers would be more likely to engage in safer practices & mitigation than the average city person on the apps.

some Thermas tips 
1. go early - before it gets crowded.  Thermas is big and spread across 3 floors - it can be disorienting to arrive when filed with providers & clients. Plus - it’s competitive & the locals/regulars will always go for their favorites who are usually the most in-demand. Arriving when it’s crowded puts you at a disadvantage. I like to arrive at opening about 3p and watch as providers/ clients arrive. 
2. get familiar with the layout - because it is confusing.  I’d recommend a complete walk-through of the entire place at least once to take note of spa facilities & bar (first floor), all showers (first & second floors).  And the one private bathroom on first floor with a douche - the key to that bathroom is at reception and depending on the attendant, they may require you buy an attachment or if you have your own, then a tip to get the key.  Return the key asap as there may be others waiting.
3. there will always be guys hanging around the reception area & watching the clients locker room.  the game is to snag clients in that area & before they can see the other providers.  don’t fall for it.
4. like anywhere else - be cautious if anyone offers you anything to ingest. last time I was there, a provider offered candy between sessions - upon inspection it was potent edible marijuana. there are a couple guys there routinely selling things - I’d avoid them & whatever they have.  they are obvious & likely will make an approach at some point. 
5. the free cabins are fine for 30 minutes & the staff cleans continuously- but that doesn’t mean you’ll always get a fresh cabin.  If you want to make sure it’s clean - then private rooms. Again - getting there early ensures access to private rooms - when it’s crowded you may wait and sometimes they don’t open up at all. 
6. you dont need ID to get in - leave passports & valuables in your hotel safe.  I carry a set amount of cash, one credit card & phone.  I don’t leave those items in the locker - I carry them with me in a small pack at all times.  you need cash for the guys - everything else can be on credit card.
7. bring your own condoms & lube.  the condoms provided are the most basic & the lube is almost nonexistent.  the guys appreciate good quality condoms & it makes a big difference.  I like to bring my own antibacterial soap along too - just to be extra careful between sessions.  availability of soap in the showers is not a sure thing.
8. if smoking bothers you - avoid the area on the second floor where smokers congregate.  for people who smoke, it’s ideal place to engage the guys in a more relaxed environment.
9. don’t be afraid to say no.  you will be approached many times by guys who may not be your type.  there’s not pressure per se, but they are direct and don’t want to waste time.  they are used to no & it’s just part of the environment.  polite & firm gets the message across.  

10. you will pay for everything at the end & check your final bill carefully.  if buying drinks for providers, make sure you are clear at that time what you’re offering. an offer for a drink can easily turn into a full meal - and that’s fine if that is what you’re offering.  if spending a few hours there, the charges can add up quickly. 
11. don’t be afraid to tell the provider exactly what you want - they’re professionals and have seen it all, several times.  no reason to be embarrassed.  If there is a language barrier - use google translate or show them a video of the type of scene you want. a video is easiest way to get the clear message across & I’ve seen several clients do it.

 
 
 

a very sad story - although it feels like pieces are missing.  the comment that the killing looked like a “crime of passion” is somewhat out of context in the story and then the dispute about whether the victim knew the killer well.  It’s as if they are suggesting the killer & victim were involved, which what the husband would want people to think
this could happen in many other places - but, it happened in Rio and if the victim wasn’t a high-profile/wealthy American it would hardly be newsworthy.  
Desperate people do desperate things - for money. 
 

that depends on the client.  
as a suggestion, chat up your potential hire at the bar & buy him a drink. use the time at the bar to do all the small talk, negotiate exactly what you want & whatever else you need to check before committing.  
this is typical & makes your time in the cabin more efficient - when you get into the cabin, you can get right to it & maximize the time. the bar is on the lowest floor.
i would not hire someone on the other floors & go directly to a room without a conversation at the bar.  most will welcome the drink, give you better service & the bar has better lighting.
as mentioned previously, it’s been my experience that the best guys (most in demand) do not approach clients aggressively.  the agressive guys are the ones to avoid. All are easily approachable - don’t be shy during prime time or you might not get your preferred guys.

that depends on the client.  
as a suggestion, chat up your potential hire at the bar & buy him a drink. use the time at the bar to do all the small talk, negotiate exactly what you want & whatever else you need to check before committing.  
this is typical & makes your time in the cabin more efficient - when you get into the cabin, you can get right to it & maximize the time. the bar is on the lowest floor.
i would not hire someone on the other floors & go directly to a room without a conversation at the bar.  most will welcome the drink, give you better service & the bar has better lighting.
as mentioned previously, it’s been my experience that the best guys (most in demand) do not approach clients aggressively.  the agressive guys are the ones to avoid. All are easily approachable - don’t be shy during prime time or you might not get your preferred guys.

that depends on the client.  
as a suggestion, chat up your potential hire at the bar & buy him a drink. use the time at the bar to do all the small talk, negotiate exactly what you want & whatever else you need to check before committing.  
this is typical & makes your time in the cabin more efficient - when you get into the cabin, you can get right to it & maximize the time. the bar is on the lowest floor.
i would not hire someone on the other floors & go directly to a room without a conversation at the bar.  most will welcome the drink, give you better service & the bar has better lighting.
as mentioned previously, it’s been my experience that the best guys (most in demand) do not approach clients aggressively.  the agressive guys are the ones to avoid. All are easily approachable - don’t be shy during prime time or you might not get your preferred guys.

that depends on the client.  
as a suggestion, chat up your potential hire at the bar & buy him a drink. use the time at the bar to do all the small talk, negotiate exactly what you want & whatever else you need to check before committing.  
this is typical & makes your time in the cabin more efficient - when you get into the cabin, you can get right to it & maximize the time. the bar is on the lowest floor.
i would not hire someone on the other floors & go directly to a room without a conversation at the bar.  most will welcome the drink, give you better service & the bar has better lighting.
as mentioned previously, it’s been my experience that the best guys (most in demand) do not approach clients aggressively.  the agressive guys are the ones to avoid. All are easily approachable - don’t be shy during prime time or you might not get your preferred guys.

that depends on the client.  
as a suggestion, chat up your potential hire at the bar & buy him a drink. use the time at the bar to do all the small talk, negotiate exactly what you want & whatever else you need to check before committing.  
this is typical & makes your time in the cabin more efficient - when you get into the cabin, you can get right to it & maximize the time. the bar is on the lowest floor.
i would not hire someone on the other floors & go directly to a room without a conversation at the bar.  most will welcome the drink, give you better service & the bar has better lighting.
as mentioned previously, it’s been my experience that the best guys (most in demand) do not approach clients aggressively.  the agressive guys are the ones to avoid. All are easily approachable - don’t be shy during prime time or you might not get your preferred guys.

Went again today, Saturday.  Got there around 4:40pm.  Lots of providers.  Chatted with a few and can confirm that it seems that the going rate is 50 euro.

I decided to go with the same guy as yesterday.  His name is Alfredo, not Alberto.  Nice guy.  
I'm hooked.  Gotta get back to Barcelona soon.

100% not true as it relates to Thermas, in my experience 
the good guys will take almost 95% of clients, but there are always a few clients that stand out as potential problems & the best guys don’t lack for options - they just don’t want to deal with bad people at any price.  
The working guys are generally open to all ages, ethnicities, body types & specific requests - it’s a bad attitude that is the deal killer.  Because they know a potential client w a bad attitude will never get better, only worse. 
There are different types of guys working in the sauna & you will be sorted accordingly. You won’t be aware of it, but that’s what’s happening behind the scenes. Frequently, the clients w bad attitudes get bad experiences….because the guys think that person deserves it and their performance really doesn’t matter. 

go with an open mind, reasonable expectations, a good attitude & money - you will find what you want at Thermas.
 

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

My tactics: visual inspection of clients, care about the kind of clients I take on (no last minute late night requests for ‘half hour’ sessions…that kind of thing), doxy prep occasionally, fastidious about regular check ups, vaccination (hep c, monkey pox), prep daily (obviously), mouthwash and pee afterwards, douche after bottoming (if practical), no drugs, no alcohol , no poppers (not for me anyway, clients can). But at the end of the day there’s risks with everything, I’m not going to be silly but I’m also not a monk…(happy to dress up as one and role play it though if that’s any client’s  thing 😂).

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.

for providers - serious question, how do you take care of your sexual health with the current standard of unprotected sex ?  I’m not talking about hiv because that’s almost irrelevant w Prep and most positive gay men on meds.  But that leaves a lot of STIs that can still cause major problems/discomfort.
for me, condoms aren’t a moral question or decision but rather a practical one.  I just don’t want to spend unnecessary time going to the doctor, testing & then meds if I should be exposed to an sti.  
i can remember a phone call from a provider years ago saying he had an sti and I should go get tested.  I appreciated the call & sure enough - I had it too.  Ever since then it’s been condoms for me - it just seems that mixing with so many people it would be statistically difficult to manage sexual health.
Im wondering how working providers who routinely engage in unprotected sex w multiple partners can stay healthy ?   Most guys say they are tested every 2-3 months, but is that even enough ?
My understanding of DoxyPep is that it’s useful after occasional unprotected sex, but not meant as a routine - maybe I’m misinformed on that - and that really only treats Chlamydia & Syphilis, not gonorrhea and all the others.
if the providers have any tricks of the trade used to mitigate, I’d like to know that.  And is there any sort of discreet visual inspection that can be done of potential partners ?  do providers ever decline clients if something doesn’t look right ?
I don’t think anyone actually likes condoms - some people are just more risk averse than others.  And almost nobody discusses or acknowledges contracting an STI.  Honestly, this is my biggest hangup about sex.  
My sense is established professional providers are more on top of their sexual health than the average person - just another reason why I avoid the apps and prefer paid encounters.  
I’ve found almost nobody wants to discuss this subject in personal terms - it’s always in the abstract and seemingly unrealistic w very little acknowledgement of the real world. It could be my fears are unfounded - and if that’s the case, I’d like to get perspective on that too
Ive seen references in other threads about having conversations w providers about sexual health & practices - I’d like to know how that ideally goes from a providers perspective 
  And yes - I know all things carry some risk - it’s about making better choices, maybe not perfect ones.