The latest news from the world of sexual health. Everything you needed to know about gay sexual health. If you’ve got a question don’t forget to ask our experts.
Research from Public Health England has revealed that there were nearly half a million (422,000) new sexually transmitted infections recorded in 2017. Although this number has been described as “stable” from the previous year, cases of syphilis have rocketed by 20 percent, from 5955 in 2016 to 7137 in 2017.
Worryingly, the highest rates of STIs are occurring in 16 to 24 year-olds, showing that the current sex ed situation in our schooling system is woefully inadequate.
There has been a fall in genital warts reported, which the report says reflects the widespread uptake of the HPV vaccine which is given to girls aged 12-13.
The HPV vaccine is not offered to boys of the same age.
Drops in chlamydia rise in gonorrhoea
The humble condom remains the best way to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections. FILE PHOTO / depositphotos.com
The report also shows that there’s been an eight percent decline in chlamydia testing and a two percent drop in chlamydia diagnoses in 15-24-year-olds. However, there was a 22% rise in cases of gonorrhoea in 2017 compared to 2016 (from 36,577 in 2016 to 44,676 in 2017).
Dr Gwenda Hughes, Consultant Scientist and Head of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Section at PHE, said, “Sexually transmitted infections pose serious consequences to health – both your own and that of your current and future sexual partners.
“Consistent and correct condom use with new and casual partners is the best defence against STIs, and if you are at risk, regular check-ups are essential to enable early diagnosis and treatment.”
PHE has recommended, “Those at risk of STIs can access services through sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics. PHE recommend regular HIV and STI testing for those with new or casual partners. Men who have sex with men who are having condomless sex with new or casual partners should seek testing every three months. Local STI services can be located online via NHS Choices.
*A previous version of this article stated that the research was from NHS England, when in fact it was Public Health England. It has been corrected to reflect this.
It seems the safer-sex message isn’t getting through to the under 25s as over 63 percent have admitted to having unprotected sex – leading to a whopping number of new sexually transmitted infections.
According to a recent survey, 15% of under 25s have also admitted to having unsafe sex with two or more partners since arriving at university.
The Student Room recently performed a study on sexual activity among students and found that more than half of sexually active students have never been tested for sexually transmitted infections despite 63% admitting to engaging in unprotected sex.
When asked about sex education received, 40% of students felt it was ‘just average’ while 27% said it was ‘poor’. When it comes to advice and information about sex, the majority of students revealed they found the internet the most helpful.
CREDIT: Janeb13 / Pixaby /CC
So what are the infections students are most likely to get?
According to the latest figures by the NHS, cases of STIs, including HIV, are increasing, with the highest increase seen among young people aged 16-24. This age group accounted for: 63 percent contracted chlamydia, 52 percent got genital warts and 42 percent got herpes.
Even scarier is that not all STIs come with symptoms, so you may not even know you have one. In fact, according to the NHS, around a quarter of people with HIV are oblivious to the fact that they are carrying the disease. If left undiagnosed, the risk of not receiving the proper treatment as well as potentially passing it on to another sexual partner is high.
If you suspect that you or your partner might have an STI, you can get tested at your nearest sexual health centre, GUM centre or even some family planning clinics. That said, going to a clinic to get an STI test can be seen as embarrassing or awkward, especially among young people. A good idea would be to go with a friend for moral support or, even better, your partner, as they will also likely need to get tested.
With 25% of university first years infected with an STI every year, Fresh Student Living provides an insight on how to protect yourself and your partner from the grim reality of STI’s while at university and beyond.
Can You Get Tested For STIs Online?
Due to the perceived stigma attached to being tested for an STI, online testing kits are becoming a popular alternative. According to research by YouGov, demand for STI testing kits over the internet almost doubled in 2016, with more than 417,000 diagnoses of STIs in England that year. But why? There are a few reasons:
– It’s safer
– There’s less drama, and most crucially,
– It’s more private
Known as e-STI testing kits, this new service has been developed to boost testing for gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia and HIV. Kits are ordered over the internet, with sexual health information also made available, then posted out, allowing people to do the test at home and return it by post. The results will then be given either over the phone or via text message. These testing kits make getting tested all the more convenient and private, which is a major concern for all age groups.
Where Can You Get Checked for an STI?
Services and advice about STIs and sexual health are readily available throughout the country. If you need to get yourself tested, you can visit:
· GPs
· Family planning clinics
· Sexual health clinics
· GUM Clinics
· Pharmacies
· University organisations
Free Helplines
· National Sexual Health Helpline – 0300 123 7123
· Childline – 0800 1111
· NHS – 111
No two of us are the same and that’s never more so true when it comes to our pink bits and all of it works.
Why does it take some guys so long to explode? calibra / Pixabay
No doubt you’ve encountered a guy that takes an age to cum, or maybe, you are that guy, well, we’ve been chatting to a doctor to find out why it might take some guys so long to climax and why it might not always be a bad thing.
Okay, it might be a bad thing if you’re the bottom and you’re waiting for your guy to finish up, after all, there’s only so much you can take of the D before it all becomes too much (amirite?)
But don’t forget climax doesn’t have to happen in anyone’s butt. It can happen anywhere. His chest/your chest/his face/ your mouth, the options are endless really. Just don’t forget to switch it up if it all gets too much.
But why does it take some guys so long to ejaculate?
But why does it take some guys so long to ejaculate? 4924546 / Pixabay
Well, Doctor Rick Viney consultant urological surgeon at BMI The Priory and BMI Edgbaston hospitals in Birmingham suggests that it’s mostly in the mind rather than physical. He tells us, “Being very aroused will see you cum quickly, being distracted can see you fail to get there all together”.
So is it all down to distraction? No, Viney goes on to suggest that some guys might be trying to actually delay their climax – a bit like edging, but for their partner’s benefit, but if this isn’t working for you, remember communication is the key to practically everything.
Dr Viney also suggests that delayed ejaculation could be happening as a side effect of certain drugs.
He explains, “If the guy is using Viagra (sildenafil) or Cialis this will make for great erections but can inhibit climax, making it much harder to cum. If you want staying power, this could be seen as an advantage”.
Having lived and grown up in Wales my whole life, sexual education during secondary school was a massive let down, not only for me and my LGBT peers past and present, but also the straight community…
When teaching pubescent teenagers about sexual intercourse in secondary school PSHE classes, the teacher was always greeted with snickering laughs, comments from the lads and jokes cracked by some lame guy.
As Wales prepares to give sex education in Wales school an LGBT inclusive over-haul, I was reminded of my own experience of sexual education.
Wales have announced plans to have a major overhaul of their sexual education in schools, planning to change their current curriculum. By doing this, Wales will be ‘leading the way’ in sexual education, something that is extremely important.
The changes would mean the subject would be renamed to ‘relationships and sexual education’, and were announced by Wales’ education secretary, Kirsty Williams. Williams has said that the days of traditional sex education were ‘long gone’.
30 years ago, section 28 was introduced, which banned the ‘promotion of homosexuality in schools’. Now, 30 years later, Wales is moving forward to include an LGBT inclusive subject in sexual education. The teaching will focus on issues such as consent, domestic abuse and diversity.
The new education curriculum will come into force in 2022, and will be taught to children from five to sixteen years of age. The subject will now be embedded in the curriculum, instead of being taught as a separate subject.
Bru-nO / Pixabay Is learning how to put a condom on a banana all that helpful?
Kirsty Williams said, ‘The world has moved on and our curriculum must move with it. Sex should never be taught in isolation for the simple reason that it is about so much more than just sex; it’s also about relationships, rights and respect and that must go hand in hand with a much broader understanding of sexuality. Anything less does a disservice to our learners and teachers.’
Stonewall Cymru, and LGBT charity were pleased with the announcement. Their director, Andrew White, has been campaigning for this change for a while. White said: ‘It’s great news, particularly as this week is the anniversary of the introduction of section 28 and our research shows that a majority of LGBT young people here in Wales have heard nothing about LGBT issues in the classroom.
‘The legacy of section 28 unfortunately still lives on and this change will go some way to readdressing the balance.’
He then went on to say that these discussions should be in the classroom, as talking about it online could spread false information. ‘If we don’t, those conversations will happen on the web with sometimes unreliable sources.’
As a Welsh gay male, it’s important to see this change happen. It’s even better to see that my country, who have sometimes been a bit behind on LGBT rights, particularly in places such as the valleys, are the leading country to be putting this forward.
When I was in education, my sexual education consisted mainly of STD’s and how to avoid them, and I was always taught about wearing a condom before having intercourse with a woman. We were taught how to put a condom on a banana, and we also saw how condoms are packaged. We learned briefly about the female reproductive system, and how the egg is fertilised, but one thing we never touched on was LGBT sexual relationships.
As I discovered my sexuality, online porn websites were my education. Whilst I didn’t take scenes literally, understanding that whomever you have sex with must consent, it has been noted that people who watch porn may get lines blurred between what is acceptable in a real-life sexual relationship. Having consent taught in education systems is extremely important, for both heterosexual and homosexual people. Personally, I think what also needs to be taught is that sexuality is now being seen as fluid, as well as being young and confused. I didn’t truly accept who I was until I was 18/19.
Sexual education must also discuss alcohol and sex. Many encounters are under the influence of alcohol, and some are above board and others are sadly not. This must be covered, as ignoring the problem doesn’t achieve anything.
When I was young and watching pornography, I discovered how men have sex. I was able to tell how a condom went on by watching a porn star put one on. Whilst my body image confidence went down, I still took something away from porn other than a fun time. I learned how sex happens, and how it can work, albeit if it was edited together and the stars had no chemistry.
But learning from porn, whilst useful to me personally, is not how we should be learning as LGBT people. Even now, the transmission and treatment of HIV is rather hazy to me, and as a teenager finding sexual partners, I worried myself sick about contracting what I thought at the time to be a deadly disease. Being taught in school that HIV, whilst being deadly without treatment, is now easily treatable with correct medication, and also being taught easily preventable with the right methods, would have saved me a lot of time growing up. It would also be nice to see HIV being discussed openly as a disease that affects everyone, regardless of their sexuality. I still feel like many people see it as ‘a gay man’s disease’.
So whilst my sexual education taught me that pizza men would result in a sexual experience, I’m happy to see that Wales will now teach a new generation that sex doesn’t work like that.
Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.
Is herpes only transmittable with penetrative sex or can you get from oral sex as well?
There are two main types of herpes, HSV1 and HSV2. HSV stands for Herpes Simplex Virus. HSV1 tends to affect the mouth. HSV2 tends to affect the anus or vagina, both, however, are transmitted by direct touch contact.
So yes, you can get herpes (on your genitals) from someone who has a cold sore.
HSV1 tends to show itself as cold sores, HSV2 tends to show itself as genital herpes. There is no known cure for herpes, but its symptoms can be controlled. Medications like Compeed, Zovirax or Bonjela can help with cold sores, or genital herpes can be controlled with Aciclovir Tablets.
The problem is that herpes is often unknowingly spread amongst people, meaning people either don’t know they have it – or it’s still contagious even when there are no visible symptoms.
How can you protect yourself from Herpes?
Protection, such as condoms, during sex – whether it is oral or anal, is the only real way of making sure that you don’t contract herpes.
Most people have at least one of the strains…
What’s more many people have at least one of the strains. It’s estimated that between 50 and 80 per cent of adults have oral herpes, according to the World Health Organization. That means your risk of getting herpes is actually quite high.
Speaking to THEGAYUK.com Doctor Rick Viney a urology surgeon from the BMI The Priory said, “The two principal strains of herpes are hsv1 and hsv2. Hsv1 classically affects the mouth and hsv2 the vagina and anus. These are transmitted by direct contact, so it is entirely possible for the two strains to end up in the wrong place during oral sex. “
So HSV1 can cause genital herpes, and HSV2 can cause cold sores. The only way to stop transferal is by using condoms or a dental dam.
“The lack of visibility of men from black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities in sexual health promotion has been well documented”
The campaign was created, at a “grass-roots” level by BAME men for BAME men.
A poster campaign has been launched by leading sexual health charity GMFA to encourage BAME (black and minority ethnic) gay men to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases more regularly. It is also hoped that the campaign will increase the representation of the LGBT+ black and Asian community.
The first set of posters have been released and they will be displayed in south London specifically: Brixton, Streatham, Kennington and Waterloo.
Increasing Representation
The charity revealed that the campaign was developed by “BAME gay and bisexual men for BAME gay and bisexual men” and it aims to increase testing among BAME gay and bisexual men but also to increase representation of BAME gay and bisexual men in public health campaigns.
Ian Howley, Chief Executive of HERO – Health Equality and Rights Organisation, the parent organisation of GMFA, explains, “Over the last few years, HERO has been working closely with the BAME LGBT+ community. One of the issues that kept on coming up was the lack of representation, especially in mass media health promotion campaigns. At HERO we listened and acted on this feedback. What people see is completely developed by BAME gay and bisexual men for BAME gay and bisexual men. From the concept, to the models, to the design, all parts of this campaign came from a grassroots level.”
Lack of Visibility
Marc Thompson, Co-Editor of BlackoutUK who worked as an advisor on the campaign, explains, “Most health professionals don’t like to admit it, but reflecting diverse audiences can be challenging for them. It’s difficult, especially if you don’t come from those communities or understand how to reach us effectively. The lack of visibility of men from black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities in sexual health promotion has been well documented as having an impact on BAME men’s sexual health and risk-taking, which ultimately plays a role in the disproportionate rates of HIV infection in this population.
“This is why the Me. Him. Us. campaign is so important. It was created by BAME gay and bisexual men for BAME gay and bisexual men. This campaign speaks to us. The imagery is beautiful and it shows black men being loving, caring and compassionate with each other. It reflects the community as it really is. It’s what we need and it’s the work we deserve in our community. The work should represent us.
“Although this campaign will increase testing and awareness around testing which is the aim, it will do something much more important. young men from the diverse range of Black, Asian and other minority ethnic communities and young black gay men in particular, will see themselves represented in a mass media sexual health campaign. We hope the campaign will inspire more young black gay men get tested, take care of themselves and their partner and will engage with the work we do in our communities to improve the health of all of us.”
One of bus stop posters featuring a same-sex couple which will be cropping up in South London.
“I do not feel accurately represented”
Phil Samba, one of the stars of the campaign and key to the development of Me. Him. Us. explains why he wanted to get involved, “As a black gay man, I personally do not feel accurately represented at all in media or the gay community. There is already a small amount of positive black male role models that steer away from stereotypes and there are even less ones that are gay. Black gay men are atrociously misrepresented as either being aggressive and hypersexual. When I was younger I never saw anyone who was like me on TV or heard anyone on the radio who was like me either and I think honest visibility and representation is so important for young black boys to feel comfortable in their sexuality however they see fit.”
Ian Howley adds, “Although this campaign is focused on representation, it also has an important message. Black and minority gay and bisexual men are more likely to be diagnosed with HIV and at a later stage too. It’s important that we increase the need for frequent testing for HIV and STIs for black gay and bisexual men. At HERO we recommend that all sexually active men are tested for HIV every six months. Early diagnosis of HIV infection enables better treatment for you and reduces the risk of transmitting the infection to others.
“I’m proud that HERO is in a position to develop this work in partnership with BAME people. It’s important that BAME people have a platform to create personal and social change in our community. Although this campaign will run for at least three months, this is just the beginning. HERO will continue to work closely with BAME LGBT+ people to build on this work, develop it further and help make a positive change in our community.”
The Me. Him. Us. website will have information on HIV, types of HIV testing and where to get tested, as well as stories from black gay and bisexual voices.
Finding lumps on your balls can be worrying, but there’s lots of stuff going on down there. Jackie Hall, Health at Hand operations manager at AXA PPP healthcare gives us some insight on how to check our balls for cancer.
Testicular cancer is a male cancer which should be checked for regularly, and just like other cancers, it can be easier to treat if detected early. By regularly examining yourself, you are more likely to notice if anything changes or feels unusual so it is best to make this a part of your usual daily routine.
The best time to check your testicles is after a warm shower, as this is when the skin is most relaxed, by following the below guide:
Contrast and compare
Rest your testicles in the palms of your hands and compare one testicle with the other for equal heaviness. A lot of men have one testicle which is larger than the other, or one that hangs lower than the other, so don’t worry if this is the case
Roll them balls
Place your fingers behind the scrotum and gently roll your testicle between your thumb and fingers
Hard lumps?
You are looking out for any hard lump or swelling – or any particular changes in shape. Make sure you check each testicle individually
Does it seem normal?
A normal testicle is oval shaped and feels firm, but not hard
Heavy balls?
Most cases of testicular cancer start with a painless lump in the testicle; though sometimes there can be pain or discomfort or a heavy feeling in the scrotum. Make sure you consult your GP as soon as possible if you experience any of these sensations, or if you find a lump
If you experience any of the above symptoms for testicular cancer, make an appointment with your GP.
You can have sex if you have piles… but go carefully.
Suffering from piles when you’re a bottom or even a power bottom could spell disaster for your sex life. The fact is that piles or haemorrhoids are a fact of life for many people.
Piles are caused by swollen veins in the anus. They can be caused by straining when going to the toilet (number two), mainly during constipation, and many people don’t even know they have them – because they can occur inside your rectum – where you can’t see them.
When they come out your bottom, that’s when they can become a bit of a problem.
Does anal cause piles?
But before we go on, let’s clear one thing up, they aren’t caused by having anal sex.
Jose Perez de la Cruz, a Public Health Practitioner at the Terrence Higgins Trust told us, “anal sex has the potential to inflame pre-existing haemorrhoids (piles), though research shows that it does not cause them in the first place. So long as the piles are not actively bleeding or painful at the time of intercourse then it is probably safe to have sex”.
So should you take a break from anal sex if you’ve actively got piles going on? Jose continues, “I would recommend using Preparation H (under a fiver) or Germoloids (over a fiver) to help control pain and inflammation and to reduce swelling. During sex, it is also important that you use a good water-based lubricant, particularly during acts of multiple people or high-frequency sexual activity as this will reduce the chance of any inflammation being caused.”
He also suggests that they are unlikely to burst during sex, but suggests if the piles don’t clear up after a while that you book an appointment with your doctor to talk options.
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.
Gonorrhoea is one of the most common STIs in the UK – but many people are still misinformed about how the infection is contracted and what the symptoms are. The team at the STI Clinic gave us six key facts about gonorrhoea we should all know.
5 percent of men will have the infection and show no symptoms.
Around 95 percent of men will develop the symptoms of gonorrhoea within 2-7 days. It can take up to 30 days for symptoms to appear, but it is unusual for the infection to take this long to show. Five percent of men do not show any symptoms at all when infected with gonorrhoea.
There are many different symptoms
Symptoms of gonorrhoea vary hugely – and some people don’t develop any symptoms at all. Men who are infected can have some or all of these symptoms, depending on which area of the body contains the infection:
Conjunctivitis
Sore throat
White, yellow or green discharge from the penis
Inflammation of the foreskin
Swollen testicles
Discharge from the urethra
Pain during urination
A burning sensation in the urethra.
Gonorrhoea can infect the genitals, eyes, throat and rectum
The genitals are the most common area to be infected – but it’s not the only place that the disease can be found. The infection can also reach your eyes, throat and anus. Some of the symptoms of these areas will include discharge and itching, a sore throat, or red and painful eyes.
Gonorrhoea is spread through genital, oral and anal sex
The gonorrhoea bacteria can grow in the urethra, mouth, throat and anus. It cannot be spread through normal contact, contrary to popular belief. The bacteria cannot live outside the body for very long – so it can’t be contracted through toilet seats, sharing eating utensils or swimming pools.
It can be treated
The usual treatment for gonorrhoea is an intramuscular injection of Cefraxone accompanied by a single oral 1000mg dose of Azithromycin. If an intramuscular injection is not possible, then an oral medication can be prescribed.
If you find out that you are infected, any sexual partners should be treated at the same time and any past sexual partners should be notified. If you are avoiding doing this because you don’t want to have an awkward conversation with a past sexual partner – remember that many clinics have a service that can let you notify your past partners anonymously.
A drug-resistant strain of “super gonorrhoea,” has emerged
The number of cases of this rare, new strain of gonorrhoea is slowly increasing. This is very alarming, and doctors are concerned that this new strain might soon become untreatable. This new strain is resistant to antibiotics and drugs, which is why if you are infected it’s important to finish your course of prescribed drugs, get tested again 2 weeks after treatment, and avoid sex for at least 7 days after treatment.
If you are in doubt as to whether you have gonorrhoea – visit a GP or GUM clinic to get tested. Alternatively, if you are busy and want to avoid having to go anywhere to get tested, it is now possible to be sent out a test package discreetly in the mail. Simply supply a sample and send it back to get quick and easy results – it’s never been easier to ensure you are STI free.
When a reader confided that he can’t stay hard, we decided to have a look at some of the reasons why your erection might be elusive.
Last year Jeff, asked THEGAYUK why he kept on losing his erections. There are many reasons from stresses to tiredness, medical to emotional. There are many reasons. So here’s what we found out.
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.
The problem might also be prescribed medication. For instance, some depression medications say that ED is a potential side effect. You can read more about that here. 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.
Take the erection test
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 workload 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.
Meds?
You could try Viagra or a herbal supplement available in Holland and Barratt called Horny Goatweed. You should definitely seek the advice from your doctor if you’re planning to try out medications.
Condoms Problems
If your problem is being caused by wearing condoms then you’ll be able to find a wide variety now that are different shapes, sizes and yes, there’s even a musical one. Don’t let your Jonny be a problem for your Johnson.
You might not need a full erection to have full on sex
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.
Communication
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.
I’m in my mid 20s and I’m a bit of sex lover. I’ve probably been with over 700 guys in the last 2 years, which makes my friends laugh, but I think I’m a bit addicted to it.
Some of the sex has been whilst drunk or on drugs (never needles) and I can’t be certain that it’s always been protected sex.
I am around 80% the top in these shags. So I’ve been told that the likelihood is that I’m fine, but just wondering.
I’ve had a few STDs and had those cleared up but I’m feeling a little bit worried as I always do this time of year with WorldAIDS Day coming up…
I have been to the clinic, but not this year.
Hi there;
Thanks for your question.
Being top may be less risky than being the bottom, but there is still a risk, and guys who only top still get HIV. This is because of HIV can also be found in mucosal secretions inside someone’s bum. Using condoms will protect you against HIV and most STIs regardless of how many partners you have. However, it’s possible that condoms break, or you can get STIs including HIV through oral sex, although getting HIV through oral sex is rare.
Some people say that taking drugs including alcohol makes them more relaxed and more likely to take risks. Sometimes when people get caught in the moment they may feel invincible and forget to do the things they normally would to protect their health. It’s really important that you keep control by using condoms and getting yourself checked regularly for sexually transmitted infections. This should be for all STIs not just HIV.
If you do have HIV finding out can save your life (if you have had it for many years) or add years to your life. HIV is now a manageable health condition and life expectancy may be almost the same if diagnosed early and you start treatment at the right time. It’s better to know as you can take control of your own health and protect your partners.
It sounds like you may want to visit our CODE clinic, a walk-in service between 5-7pm on Tuesdays for gay men who use drugs during sex. The team are super friendly, non-judgemental and there to help you. They can advise you on drug taking, help you to reduce or stop and explain more about risks of STIs. Also, they know a lot about the harder sex scene, if that happens to be your thing.
In terms of the number of partners, it’s really important that you are having a healthy, enjoyable sex life which is not harmful to your mental or physical health.
If you’re worried that you may have sex addiction then help is available. There is an online screening tool at www.sexhelp.com which is free. It will give you a score and explain what that means. There are also lots of resources on the www.sexaddictionhelp.co.uk and www.recoverynation.com websites. We provide support at 56 Dean Street and if you visited the clinic with an appointment with a health advisor we could refer you to this service.
Hope that helps;
Jenna and Jake.
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.
