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Basic safer sex information is available on this page. In addition, there are many good websites with information about safer sex for gay and bisexual men. You could try: CHAPS Project, and Healthy Gay Scotland.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs)
STIs are also known as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). To prevent HIV transmission, you should always use condoms and water-based lubricant for fucking.
We recommend Durex Extra or the Boys Own brand. If you want to buy condoms, we recommend you try your nearest branch of Boots or Superdrug. You can also get free condoms & lube packs (MEnvelopes) from gay bars in Newcastle and Middlesbrough/Stockton, and loose condoms from local saunas and direct from MESMAC.We can even send you condoms by post if you live in a rural area.
The lubricant you use should always be water-based, because lube with oil seriously weakens the rubber in the condom. Some popular brands include KY jelly, Boots' own brand lubricant, TLC and ID Glide. Once again, you can get free lube (along with condoms in the MEnvelope packs) from gay bars or MESMAC. You may have heard of a new polyurethane condom called Avanti, which is thinner than rubber condoms, supposed to be stronger, and which can also be used with oil-based lube. Some research has been done which suggests that these condoms are actually not as reliable as latex (rubber) condoms. At the moment we don't recommend them for anal sex.
ORAL SEX
Sucking is seen as very low risk for HIV transmission; there are only a handful of cases worldwide where sucking is thought to have passed on HIV. Transmission is only possible if you are sucking somebody who's HIV positive (not the other way round). You need to keep the very small risk associated with sucking in proportion. To make this small risk even smaller, we recommend you don't let somebody come in your mouth. It's also best to avoid sucking if you've got a sore throat, ulcers, or bleeding gums (because this might make it easier for HIV to get into the bloodstream). You can use flavoured condoms for sucking; this gets rid of any risk, so long as the condom remains intact.
Of course there are STI's other than HIV, but luckily most of them aren't anywhere near as serious. Using condoms for fucking and sucking will reduce the risk of getting STI's, but some of them can be passed on by rimming, deep kissing, or genital-genital contact without penetration.
To look after your general sexual health, you should watch out for any unusual sores, rashes, or discharges in your genital area (and around your bum). If you think something's wrong, the main thing to do is to go for a check-up to your local GUM clinic - they're free and confidential. They're listed by following the link at the bottom of this page. Because many STI's don't have any visible symptoms, it's a good idea to go for a regular 'MOT' even if you're feeling well: every 6 months at least would be a good idea. You can have sex with 100 men and not get any STI's; equally, you can have sex with just one man and get something, so it's a bit unpredictable. If you haven't been vaccinated against Hepatitis B, ask for this at your local GUM clinic. Hepatitis B is a serious infection which can be prevented. STI's are also more serious for people who are HIV+, so they may choose to be extra careful.
Click here to go to a list of local GUM clinics
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