All posts tagged with: STI’s

Caring about your sexual health is important. Here are 5 great tips on how you can have fun, and have safer sex:

1. Do not assume you know your partners HIV status. You have the right to ask your partner before having sex.
2. If you choose to have sexual intercourse without a condom, get tested regularily. Do not assume you do not have HIV just because your last HIV test said you were negative.
3. Get tested regularily for STI’s. Be aware and take action.
4. When having intercourse with a condom, use lots of lube.
5. Take care of your body. Talk to your health professional if you have questions.

It’s been nearly three decades since the HIV/AIDS crisis. Awareness, education, prevention and safer sex programs have helped reduce the spread of virus. As infections continue, impacting our friends, our families and our communities, it’s important to stop for a moment and think about some cold, hard facts.

• There has been an increase in sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). STI’s make it easier to give or get HIV.
• The Ontario, there is more gonorrhea, and it is harder to treat because it is drug resistant. Gone untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious health problems, including fatality.
• There are multiple strains of HIV, some of which are resistant to some HIV treatments.
• Hepatitis C can be difficult to treat, and can be fatal to people living with HIV.
• Undetectable viral loads means there is less chance of transmitting HIV, not no chance. Using condoms during intercourse with someone who has undetectable viral load means there is almost no chance of transmission.

Make smart sexual decisions. Do you practice safer-sex? Leave a comment on this blog post with your tips and advice to others to practice safer-sex.

It has been estimated that over 75% of homosexual males will participate in anal sex. It is considered a high-risk. Unprotected anal sex, also known as barebacking, is the riskiest of all forms of sexual intercourse.

The insertive partner is known as the “top” and the partner being penetrated is called the “bottom”. Those who perform either role are referred to as “versatile”.

Generally viewed as less pleasurable and inconvenient, the best way to protect both partners during anal intercourse is with the use of condoms. Condoms are most commonly made from latex, however, they are also available in non-latex. They come in a wide assortment of styles and sizes. Condoms can break or come off during anal intercourse, so both partners must pay attention.

The anus does not produce sufficient natural lubricant so anal intercourse requires a generous application of personal lubricant to prevent tearing. There are three common types of lubricant: water-based, silicon, and a hybrid of water-based and silicone.

Risks of physical damage to the rectum include anal fissures, rectal prolapse, rectal trauma and hemorrhoids. Pain during anal intercourse can be caused by inadequate lubrication, feeling tense, lack of stimulation and anxiousness.

Other dangers during anal intercourse include the transmission of sexually transmitted infections including HIV, chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HPV/genital warts, and syphilis. Risk of transmission can be reduced by practicing safer sex and using a condom. The risk is increased through casual sex, barebacking, and sex with someone you do not know.

Although you may believe your partner appears to be symptom free because they look fit and healthy, it is not always the case. It’s the responsibility of both partners to ask the status of their partner and to use safer sex practiced.

Today, thanks to advances in medical research, people infected with HIV and AIDS live longer lives. New drug and support treatments are available; however, unfortunately there is still no cure. There are more than 10 subtypes of HIV/AIDS, which results in an exponential number of strains.

For more information and education on sexual health, visit the Health Initiative for Men website.