Why anal sex is riskie gay even with condons

When Cameron moved to the UK from the Philippines in 2016, he couldn’t believe how openly MSM (men who have sex with men) spoke about barebacking. When he opened Grindr, he saw profiles with the bio “bb only”: common shorthand for solely wanting “bareback”, or condomless anal sex. Other profiles specified a taste for “raw” fucking – another synonym for condomless anal – or used the word “breeding” as a euphemism for “taking a load.”

Cameron was taken back because in his homeland, the idea of enjoying condomless anal sex with multiple partners is “very taboo” due to the rising HIV infection rate. But when he was asked on Grindr to join a confidential WhatsApp group for around 250 MSM who relax regular barebacking, he was intrigued enough to speak yes. “Being in this WhatsApp group has made me realise how amusing this kind of sex can be – as long as you recognise both the risks and the pleasures involved,” he says.

When gay men’s health organisation GMFA surveyed 1,500 gay and bi men in 2016, 46 percent said that at least half of their anal sex experiences were condomless. Of this 46

Anal sex and the risk of HIV transmission

Key points

For unprotected anal intercourse with an HIV-positive partner with a fully suppressed viral load, the estimated risk of infection is zero.
If HIV is not fully suppressed by operative treatment, anal intercourse without condoms is a high-risk path of sexual HIV transmission for both the insertive and receptive partner.
Sexually transmitted infections and the HIV-positive partner organism recently infected expand the risk of transmission.

If the HIV-positive partner is taking antiretroviral treatment and has a fully suppressed viral load (‘undetectable’), the peril of HIV transmission through anal intercourse is zero.

The PARTNER-2 study followed 783 male couples in which the HIV-positive partner had an undetectable viral load and no condoms were used in anal intercourse. After 1596 couple-years of follow-up and 77,000 acts of unprotected anal intercourse, no HIV transmission from HIV-positive partners took place and the researchers concluded that the risk of HIV transmission in these circumstances was effectively zero (Rodger).

If viral load is detectable, condomless anal intercourse is a highly efficient way of tr

Source

Nearly 70% of people living with HIV are lgbtq+ and bisexual men – and thankfully the apply of PrEP for HIV prevention is increasing among this group. According to a recent study, the number of gay and bisexual males taking PrEP increased by 500% from 2014 to 2017. However, only 35% of male lover and bisexual males who were at high-risk of HIV transmission were taking the medication.

It is key that everyone takes the proper precautions to shield themselves from HIV transmission. While some people are at more risk than others due to lifestyle choices or other practices, there is a ordinary misconception that your exposure of HIV transmission is higher or lower depending on your sexual orientation or preferred sexual position.

PrEP is designed to assist protect any person – regardless of sexual orientation – from HIV transmission. But, you may be wondering if PrEP could affect you differently or be more or less effective depending on if you are a uppermost, bottom, or vers.

For instance, many tops assume they do not need to take PrEP since they are at a decrease risk of contracting HIV than a bottom – since they are not penetrated.

So, does PrEP function differently f

Man-to-man

Man to Man sex

The only way to reduce HIV transmission or other sexually transmitted infections during sex is to use a barrier - most commonly a condom.

If you are having anal sex, it's essential that you use a regular condom which fits your penis, and apply plenty of water based lubricant. Recent studies own shown that extra powerful condoms are not needed for anal sex, providing that you use them properly.

Although in the UK, flavoured condoms are put under the alike rigorous testing as regular condoms, they generally should not be used for anal sex, as they can cause irritation to the anus; other novelty condoms should not be used for anal sex.

If you are not having anal sex, still be aware of any sores or cuts you have which may be exposed to your partner's semen. For example, if you are going to have oral sex, build sure you don't brush your teeth immediately beforehand as this can bring about small cuts in your gums; chew gum or use mouthwash instead.

If you would like more information on STIs; their symptoms and how to reduce the risks, then click here.

Different forms of sex and their risks

Touching and kissing

Sex activities and risk

Find out about the risks of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) from unlike sexual activities.

In nearly every case, condoms will help protect you against this peril. Learn about the risks associated with various sexual activities.

Vaginal penetrative sex

This is when a man's penis enters a woman's vagina.

If a condom is not used, there's a risk of pregnancy and getting or passing on STIs, including:

Infections can be passed on even if the penis doesn't fully enter the vagina or the man doesn't ejaculate (come). This is because infections can be submit in pre-ejaculate fluid (pre-come) and some can be passed on when your genital area touches another person's genitals.

Even shallow insertion of the penis into the vagina (sometimes called dipping) carries risks for both partners. Using a condom can support protect against infections.

Preventing pregnancy

There are many methods of contraception to prevent pregnancy, including the contraceptive injection, contraceptive patch, contraceptive implant and joint pill.

Bear in consciousness using condoms is the only technique of contraception that protects against both pregnancy and STIs, so always