I've made numerous videos talking about things you should know before entering the adult industry, but I wanted to talk more in depth about health regulations, testing and STDs. Sadly, there is a great deal of misconception around this topic, and there is not much education or awareness for performers before entering the industry.
For starters, for a performer to be considered able to work for a legitimate porn production company, they need to have a valid 14 day test through the industry approved testing facilities - either Talent Testing or Cutting Edge testing. They CANNOT use their own health insurance or go to their own doctor, and must pay out of pocket for this test. The performer panel costs $155 + above and now must include a COVID test which is an additional $25+cost. If they are an active performer, they must get tested twice a month, which will total over $320 monthly. Occasionally producers or productions may cover the cost of a test for a shoot, but this is very rare. Performers are considered independent contractors and therefor are responsible for taking care of the costs of these tests.
This performer panel test includes testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, hep B & C, and trichomonas. It does NOT include herpes 1 + 2 or HPV, because majority of performers already have these viruses. As long as you don't have a visible herpes outbreak, you are considered safe to shoot. Many performers take anti-viral medication for herpes such as Acyclovir to "manage it", although they are continuously exposed to the virus by having sex with other performers who have it. It is common knowledge that by working regularly within the adult industry, you will be exposed to the herpes virus, and are more than likely to contract this virus, which will remain in your body your entire life. Same goes with HPV, which, although not as dangerous for men, it can cause cervical cancer in women if left untreated.
People assume that having sex with someone in the adult industry is considered safer because they get tested more regularly, but sadly this is not the case. Performers are having much more unprotected sex with both each other on shoots, but also outside of porn shoots in their private lives. A lot of performers also escort on the side and shoot content for sites like only fans, and also webcam, which is much more unregulated. As long as they have that "14-day current test" they are regarded to be safe and are eligible to shoot. But a lot can happen in that 14 day window. Here's a scenario to think about:
Say Suzy has a shoot for a company on thursday. However, she decides to have unprotected sex with a private client on tuesday, and has no idea that he has gonorrhea. Unaware that she has contracted this, she goes on to her shoot on thursday, but is still considered safe to shoot because she has this current 14 day test. No one knows what she did on tuesday, because she can do whatever she wants in her private life. The production company and other performer just need to know that she has a 14 day current test. Then, after she does the scene, she gives this STD to the other performer. This performer is now unaware that they are carrying this STD and will not get tested again for a period of time until they need to get a next 14-day test. During that time, they shoot 4 more scenes and will go on to give the STD to numerous other performers.
Do you see where I am getting at? These type of scenarios happen all the time in the adult industry, and that is why STDs, herpes, and other health concerns are so common and reoccurring. Just because someone is tested regularly, does NOT mean it is safer. In fact, it is very much just as risky as having unprotected sex with a stranger you meet at a bar.
An even more sad thing is that once you do contract something, as a performer, you are not offered any help to cover the cost of medicine or treatment. You are, once again, required to pay out of pocket and to take care of yourself. There is no legitimate union or healthcare system looking out for the health and/or protection of performers. There are even instances of performers catching herpes and HIV on the first couple of shoots they do, and are then stuck to deal with these viruses for the REST OF THEIR LIFE.
Awareness and knowledge is key. Please watch my youtube video for more information, and please make sure you are getting tested frequently if you are not in a monogamous relationship and are having unprotected sex with numerous partners. It is so important for your health and other people to know your status, and to make sure you are not spreading anything.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
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