STI’s
STI’s or Sexually Transmitted Infections are a reality for anybody who is sexually active, especially because for some STI’s there may be few or no symptoms. If you think you have an STI, visit a GUM Clinic or Sexual Health Clinic straight away, to prevent it from worsening and reducing the risk of passing it on to sexual partners. It is also important to inform sexual partners about the STI so that they can get early treatment too. A comprehensive guide can be found on the Rainbow Project’s website here
HIV and AIDS
HIV can be passed on when men have anal/oral/vaginal sex without condoms. If a man with HIV penetrates an uninfected man, the virus in his cum can get into the other man’s blood stream through the lining of the anus. Although the risk is many times less than anal or vaginal sex, HIV has been transmitted to receptive partners through fellatio, even in cases when insertive partners didn’t ejaculate. Even if the man doing the penetrating pulls out before he comes, his infected pre-cum can still pass on HIV to the other man.
When a man is being penetrated, the lining of his anus can tear. This makes it easier for HIV to be passed on. Using poppers may make it easier for HIV to be passed on if two men are having sex without condoms and one of them has HIV. This is because poppers make it more likely that the lining of the man’s anus will bleed, allowing HIV to pass either way.
The risk can be reduced by using a condom for penetrative sex. A water-based lubricant is needed. Oil based lubricants destroy rubber, making condoms split. To make oral sex safer, keep cum out of your mouth or his. Don’t brush your teeth before sex as this may open up tiny cuts on your gums.
You can’t be sure if a man has HIV or not by looking at him. A lot of men with HIV don’t know they are infected and look perfectly healthy. Those who do know, won’t necessarily reveal their HIV status to the people they have sex with.
There is no cure for HIV
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is on the increase especially amongst men between the ages of 20 and 44, however in 99% of cases it can be successfully treated if detected at an early stage by self-examination. Symptoms include a small hard painless lump, a dull ache in the scrotum, groin or lower back, one testicle enlarging or feeling heavier than the other and a collection of fluid. If you have any doubts go and see you GP or NHS GUM clinic straight away.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in UK men, every year 32,000 are diagnosed with the disease and 10,000 men die (that’s one man every hour). The prostate is the size of a walnut and sits underneath the bladder, it surrounds the urethra and is crucial in sexual function (bet you all knew that though! Ha!) as it secretes a major component of semen. Early prostate cancer may not have any symptoms, and symptoms may also be caused by other non-cancerous problems so it is important to consult your GP to find out what is wrong, symptoms include urinating more often, especially at night, difficult starting to urinate or taking a long time to finish and feeling that the bladder hasn’t emptied properly.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis can cause permanent liver damage and even kill, some forms stay with you for live. It can be passed on sexually, and gay men are particularly at risk, however there are safe and effective vaccines that can protect from infection.
Sex toys
Sharing toys can transfer STI’s if they have vaginal fluid, blood or faeces on them. A good idea is to put a condom on the toy or to use the toy on one person only. Lubricant can make toys easier to use and prevent damage (make sure it is water-based if used with condoms).
