Safer sex

It may seem obvious that while we are still trying to find a cure for HIV, the need to practice safer sex is really important, but as a nation we’re not very good at using condoms.

A lot of people think that sex without a condom is much better, but it is worth remembering that you only have to have one unprotected shag to end up putting yourself at risk of acquiring HIV or any other Sexually Transmitted Infection.

Fact: The most common route of HIV transmission amongst gay men is through unprotected anal sex. Body fluids in the bum mean that HIV can be passed on easily, either to the man shagging or to the man being shagged.

A condom is still the best way of avoiding picking up HIV and STI’s (if it is used correctly with plenty of water-based or silicone-based lube). There really is no better way of protecting yourself (unless you abstain from penetrative sex altogether)

“I can’t get a hard-on with a condom on.”

Heard this before? Don’t let one person’s pleasure (and guaranteed it won’t be yours) affect your sexual health. If a guy worries about losing his erection, try to make the experience of putting on a condom as horny as possible, play with his cock before sex and then you can put the condom on as part of the build up to the main event. Most anxiety can be overcome with a little help from a friend. Unfortunately though, some men really do have problems getting and keeping erections. There aredrugs available now which can help such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis.