THEGAYUK

Category: Wellness

  • NHS Will Cover The Cost Of PEP But Will It Stretch To PrEP

    NHS England have confirmed responsibility for funding post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a treatment that can prevent HIV infection after the virus has entered a person’s body.

    (C) marcbruxel Depositphotos
    (C) marcbruxel Depositphotos

    However, the battle continues to see NHS England accept the same responsibility for funding PrEP – a game-changing treatment that is taken before exposure to HIV. Earlier this year NHS England shelved structured plans for PrEP availability on the NHS, but then last week said they “will carefully consider its position on commissioning PrEP”.

    Ian Green, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said:

    “We are pleased that NHS England has finally been clear on their responsibility for reimbursing local authorities for antiretroviral drugs used to prevent HIV infection after exposure to the virus.

    “What remains to be seen is whether they will accept the same responsibility for funding PrEP, a pill taken once a day by HIV negative people who are at high risk to prevent transmission.

    “Every day that access to PrEP is delayed, seven men who have sex with men are infected with HIV, despite advances in HIV prevention. We need answers from NHS England on if and when access to PrEP will be available to those who are at highest risk. Only then can NHS England make a full commitment to HIV prevention.”

  • Spring Clean Your Liver

    Spring Cleansing : Season of the liver.

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  • 9 Ways To Keep Your Liver Happy And Healthy

    Here are Jordan Lohan’s top tips on keeping your liver happy and healthy the natural way.

    CREDIT: Wavebreak Media Ltd / BigStock
    CREDIT: Wavebreak Media Ltd / BigStock

    If you do not want to, or cannot carry out a cleanse, then here are some simple ideas for the transition into spring time that focus on the liver, and always opt for organic as much as possible:

    Begin your mornings…

    With 1 tsp raw honey, 1/2 lemon (juice of), 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, in a large glass of warm water – this is a real hug in a mug for the liver (i actually do this all year round with organic cinnamon thrown in too).

    Consume more raw vegetables…

    © encrier Depositphotos

    Especially greens, cruciferous and all kitchen herbs, the chlorophyll within these help promote a healthy liver.

    Sulphur

    Is essential for detoxification so up your garlic, onion, leek, cabbage, and cauliflower intake. You could also take a supplement of MSM, which is an organic form of sulphur.

    Liver loves sour!

    Fermented foods like sauerkraut or kimchi, kefir yoghurt, lemon juice etc. Sour tasting foods stimulate the liver, promote cleansing of tissues, stimulate digestion, energise the body and support nutrient absorption.

    Liver also loves bitter!

    Lemon, limes & all citrus (including peels), asparagus, radishes, lettuce, as a few examples. Bitter type foods detoxify also help control sugar levels and cravings.

    Bump up pungent foods

    CREDIT: Sunchild57 Photography Via Flickr CC

    Like garlic, turmeric, ginger, fennel- all will boost your immune system which is important during seasonal transitions as weather changes can cause havoc with allergies, existing illnesses, and can make us more open to catching colds/flu etc.

    Opt for rye…

    Amaranth and quinoa as preferred grains as these tackle a liver in “stagnation”.

    Herbal supplements

    That support the liver and promote detoxification; Artichoke, dandelion, grapefruit, milk thistle, chamomile, st. johns wort- check for any contraindications before you incorporate in your regime. If you are on ART there are a few herbs that interact with medication so be sure to check with your doctor which ones are safe.

    Milk thistle…

    CREDIT: Soyka / bigstock
    CREDIT: Soyka / bigstock

    Peppermint, dandelion & burdock, and green tea are all wonderful herbal and medicinal teas to support the liver.

  • ADVICE | I Have Found Lumps And Bumps On My Balls

    This week a reader is worried about some lumps and bumps he’s found on his testicles.

    I Have Found Lumps And Bumps On My Balls

    DEAR TGUK,

    I have a cyst on my testicle, I’ve had it a couple of years, it doesn’t really bother me much, should I do anything about it?

    Pat, Manchester

     

    If you have had the lump on your testicle checked and have been told it is a cyst, then as long as it doesn’t change you do not need to do anything. Often if a lump is found a doctor will order an ultrasound scan to confirm it is just a cyst. The tubes which are attached to your testicles can feel lumpy or a bit like spaghetti and this is usually normal, but if in doubt get it checked.

    If you are unsure it is definitely worthwhile visiting your GP or a sexual health clinic. Men should check their testicles once a month (ideally after a bath or shower) rotate them between your index finger and thumb to feel the surface to check there aren’t any new lumps. If you do this you will get to know them well. If anything changes you are then more likely to spot it quickly.

    Here’s a great video on how to check;

    For any lumps and bumps on your genitals which you are concerned about, just book in or if you can walk-in to a sexual health clinic. Try not to feel embarrassed as lumps and bumps are very common and the staff are experienced and used to seeing many people with similar problems each day.

     

    by Jake and Jenna at 56 Dean Street

     

    The advice listed above is not intended to replace or take the place of that of your own doctor, GP or medical professional who knows your full medical history. If in any doubt make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

    OTHER QUESTIONS: HIV | WILLY WONDERS | HOLES | DOING IT | STIs | LUMPS & BUMPS | BACK TO SEX CLINIC HOME PAGE

    Got a problem you’d like advice on?

  • NHS Will Now Reconsider PrEP After Legal Threat From AIDs Charity

    The NHS in England has said it will now reconsider its position on PrEP prescription for gay men and other high risk groups after a legal threat from leading AIDs charity, the National AIDS Trust (NAT).

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  • ADVICE | I’m Finding It Hard To Get A Hard On

    This week a reader confides that he finds it hard to get a hard on.

    I'm Finding It Hard To Get A Hard On

    Dear TGUK
    I’m finding it hard to get a hard on, what can I do?
    Jeff

     

    Dear Jeff
    First of all, don’t give yourself a hard time about not being able to get a hard on. It happens to the best of us at the worst of times – and stressing about it can actually make the situation worse. So take a moment and breathe.

    It sounds as though you’re suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED). Lots of things can cause ED; from being too stressed out at work to money worries. Even lifestyle choices such as too much alcohol or drug taking can hinder a strong erection.

    Also, you don’t say, but if you’re on any kind of prescribed medication you might want to check and see if any side effects listed by the meds, include ED. Do not come off any prescribed meds with out talking to your GP first.

    There are a variety of things you can do to try to get your little Mr back up and working again, but first of all, see whether you can get an erection when you’re by yourself – or during your sleep.

    There’s a very simple test to see whether you get erections during your sleep. One of the tests is the famous stamp test. If you can still get a row of stamps that are joined by a perforated edge you can perform this in the comfort of your own home.

    Before you go to bed put a row of four or five joined stamps around the shaft of your flaccid penis and seal by moistening the two ends together. If any of the perforations between the stamps is broken in the morning you’ll know that you are getting nocturnal erections, because your enlarged penis will naturally break the perforations between the stamps. This test can help you rule out a more serious erectile dysfunction, because you know that you can physically have an erection.

    If this is the case take a look at external factors such as your work load or your alcohol consumption. As frustrated as you might be, you just might need to take your time with this.

    If you don’t break the perforations, then you might consider getting an appointment with your GP, who should be able to help you find a medical solution.

    There are a number of other at home tests you can do like the Rigiscan and The Penile Plethysmograph.

    You could try Viagra or a herbal supplement available in Holland and Barratt called Horny Goatweed.

    If your problem is being caused by wearing condoms then you can get in touch with the Terrence Higgins Trust. They can actually send you a variety, for free, to check out which ones work for you.

    If you would like condoms then contact Joe Perez at THT, jose.perezdelacruz@tht.org.uk

    It’s important not to let this ruin your sex life – there are many options available to you – and you can even have sex without having a full erection or taking the pressure off yourself by focusing on your partner rather than your erection.

    Talking your issues over with your partner may also help as well. It’s important to keep communication open between partners if you’re going through a tough time.

    Wish you will Jeff and keep in touch to let us know how you’re getting on.

     

    ALSO READ: How to last longer in bed. 10 tips for you to try and extend your staying power.

    ALSO READ: Why does my foreskin smell?

    ALSO READ: Feed Your Penis – some power packed recipes to help your stamina and erections strength!

     

    OTHER QUESTIONS: HIV | WILLY WONDERS | HOLES | DOING IT | STIs | LUMPS & BUMPS | BACK TO SEX CLINIC HOME PAGE

     

    Got a problem you’d like advice on?

  • Government U Turns On Banning Poppers

    Government U Turns On Banning Poppers

    The Government has confirmed that it will not press ahead with plans to ban poppers through its psychoactive substance bill due to go live on the 6th April.

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  • HIV Charity Shocked At Government “U-Turn” On PrEP

    A leading HIV Charity in the UK has blasted the Government after NHS England announced plans to make PrEP more widely available were shelved.

    (C) marcbruxel Depositphotos
    (C) marcbruxel Depositphotos

     

    Leading HIV Charity Terrence Higgins Trust have said that plans to hold off on making PrEP more widely available across the NHS was failing groups of people who are at risk of being infected with HIV.

    In a statement released by NHS England, it affirmed that rolling out the drug to groups most at risk of new infection, was not their responsibility- despite initial results of drug trials showing a dramatic decrease in new infections.

    NHS England said it was “committed to working with local authorities, Public Health England, the Department of Health and other stakeholders,” in order to bring the drug to a wider audience.

    The pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug if taken as directed is successful at reducing new HIV infections by 86%.

    Terrence Higgins Trust’s CEO said,

    “Over 2,500 men who have sex with men are diagnosed with HIV each year in the UK. This figure has not changed in a decade. It is quite clear that although we have had some huge advances in HIV treatment,  HIV prevention is something that we are still struggling with.

    “By denying full availability of PrEP we are failing those who are at risk of HIV. Today’s decision by NHS England to depart with due process, and, instead, offer a tokenistic nod to what has the potential to revolutionise HIV prevention in the UK, is shameful.

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    £2 Million – “Tokenistic”

    NHS England announced that a £2 million fund would be created to ‘run a number of early implementer test sites’ and would include a further 500 500 men at high risk of HIV infection.

    According to NHS England these will be undertaken in conjunction with Public Health England and will seek to answer the remaining questions around how PrEP could be commissioned in the most cost effective and integrated way to reduce HIV and sexually transmitted infections in those at highest risk.

    THT have called the £2 million figure ‘arbitrary’.

    Ian Green continued,

    “£2 million over two years for 500 gay men ‘most at risk’ is an arbitrary figure which seems ill thought out and will still deny the protection that PrEP offers to the people who most need it. We know that PrEP works and already have substantial data from a real world setting from the PROUD trial. PrEP has already been approved in the  US, Kenya, Israel, Canada, France.

     “And yet, our own government refuses to take responsibility for PrEP. Today’s statement makes it no clearer who is responsible – is it the Department of Health, local authorities, the NHS or Public Health England? We need answers , we need access., and we demand both.”

     

  • Wait… What So Poppers Might Not be Illegal After all?

    Wait… What So Poppers Might Not be Illegal After all?

    The Government’s own advisory board on drugs have issued a report saying that Poppers are not a psychoactive substance.

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  • DILEMMAS | I’m Afraid I’ll Be Left Alone

    DILEMMAS | I’m Afraid I’ll Be Left Alone

    This week we help answer a reader’s worries about the dating scene and fears of being left behind.

    CREDIT: Ocus Focus / Bigstock

    Dear Dilemmas

    I’ve been single for so long and I really hate it. All my friends have partners or are married and I’m starting to feel like I’m the only one without someone.

    I live in a small town and there is no gay scene locally, so this leaves me with the only option of meeting guys online. Most of the websites seem geared towards hook ups and even though I’ve made it clear on there that I’m only interested in relationships, I still get messages asking for sex.

    When I have met up with guys it never goes well, I find that I’ve text the guys loads but when we meet up there’s no chemistry, if I text back I rarely get a response. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong but it’s really starting to affect my self-confidence.

    Thanks Roy.

     

    Hi Roy,

    I can really understand where you’re coming from, sometimes it seems the rest of the world is moving on and you’re being left behind.

    When it comes to dating the most frustrating thing is people not being genuine. When the internet becomes involved the problem is doubled. I’m sure it would be hard to find any online profile that is 100% honest. However, you are genuine in your intentions, and I’m sure you are not alone.

    From your experiences, it sounds like you are placing a high level of expectation on yourself and any potential dates, it may be the case that you are giving too much of yourself to begin with and not getting a lot in return. You mention that your goal is to be a relationship; I’ve always felt that wanting a relationship before knowing the person is like trying to build a tree house before the tree has grown.

    It’s worth remembering that dating us supposed to be fun. It sounds like the whole process has become really exhausting rather than exciting. Get to know the guys you are meeting on the dates rather than through texting before. If you feel that there isn’t any chemistry, you may still be able to remain friends in the long run. When meeting guys in try focusing on the next few dates and weeks rather than the future.

    I can understand that you may feel that being online is your only access to a gay “scene”. However, I would suggest that maybe looking away from traditional dating sites and more towards non-sexual sites such as OutdoorLads and out everywhere. This will give you an opportunity to meet other gay men in a friendly and platonic way without placing too much pressure on yourself. This will help you to make friends and rebuild your self-esteem.

     

    Barry Heap

     

    The advice above has been given by our community of writers who have drawn from experiences in their own lives and is should not be considered as professional advice.

    Have you got a dilemma you’d like our writers and experts to answer? Fill in the form below. We won’t share your details with anyone outside THEGAYUK.

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    Thank you for your response. ✨

     

  • Cosmetic Procedures Routine Or Extreme? Take The Survey

    Cosmetic procedures – routine or extreme? Share your views in an online survey.

    CREDIT: ©-korolOK-Depositphotos
    CREDIT: ©-korolOK-Depositphotos

     

    Sponsored by

    Nuffield Bioethics

     

     

     

     

    We would like to hear from as many people as possible including in the gay community with their views on cosmetic surgery (e.g. breast enlargement or reduction, face-lifts, tummy tucks, etc.) and non-surgical procedures (e.g. chemical peels, injections to remove wrinkles, skin lightening procedures, etc.).
    The online survey is made up of 15 questions and should take around 10 minutes to complete. You can fill out below or at www.surveymonkey.co.uk

    Create your own user feedback survey The survey will help to inform the evidence gathering of an inquiry run by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics on the ethical and social questions that are raised by the growing use of cosmetic procedures. This is one of many ways we’ll be making sure we hear from a diverse range of people with personal or professional experience of cosmetic procedures, or opinions about the impact of the growing availability of such procedures on social attitudes to appearance. More information can be found at www.nuffieldbioethics.org/project