Welcome back to the forum. Thank you for your continued confidence in our services.

In general, we recommend against any STI testing after any single exposure unless the risk is especially high, such as a known infected partner, sex between gay men, and similar situations. The large majority of persons in your situation acquire no infection of any kind. This was a low risk exposure: STIs are infrequent in escorts (expensive female sex workers, usually by appointment), in "mature" women, and those who are sexually "discreet". They generally use condoms, have low risk partners (men like you!), and get tested frequently. Further, most STIs are infrequently transmitted. For example, if a female has HIV, the risk to her male partner from a single episode of unprotected vaginal sex is 1 in 2,500. The risk is higher for other STIs, but still low. Finally, you used a condom; the very brief exposure after the condom was removed (under a minute) further reduces the likelihood of transmitting any infection.

To be clear, the risk of an STI isn't zero, but it's probably in the lighting strike sort of range. So my advice is to just be on the lookout for symptoms, i.e. discharge from your penis or painful urination (which would show up within 10 days) and penile blisters, sores, etc (appearing within a few days for herpes, or up to a month for syphilis). Of course get seen by a doctor or clinic if any of these show up, but it is unlikely they will.

For most persons having occasional non-monogamous sexual exposures, instead of testing after every exposure, the wiser strategy is periodic testing for common and serious STIs (i.e. urine gonorrhea/chlamydia for males, plus blood tests for syphilis and HIV). Every 6-12 months might be about right for you, if this event plus the one in your previous question are typical. Having said that, I understand that some in your situation will be uncomfortable waiting that long, and of course you are free to be tested whenever and however frequently you like. In that event, wait 4-5 days to have a urine gonorrhea/chlamydia test and about 6 weeks after the event for syphilis and HIV tests. (If somehow I were in your situation, I wouldn't be tested at this time.)

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD