The preparation

Before meeting a client, things you can do to keep safe and healthy.

Be body conscious

By keeping your body well maintained, practising good personal hygiene, going for regular Sexual Health screenings and generally looking after yourself you can keep any physical problems down to a minimum. If you are stressed or run down this will affect you physically. Going to the gym keeps your body looking good and improves fitness but it’s not enough, you need to eat well and on a regular basis to stay healthy.

What to wear

There are certain things you can wear that will make your life easier when you’re working. Jewellery should be kept to a minimum, clasps and sharp edges can tear condoms or be used to hurt you, they can also be stolen from you if they attract attention. Piercings similarly can be pulled and ripped out. Wear simple clothes that are easy to put on (and take off) in a hurry. Never carry a weapon, it can be easily used against you.

Showertime

Ask your clients to have a shower before you meet them or take one with them before you have sex. This gives you a chance to get to know your client and check him out for any signs of cuts, sores or infections. If you’re having a busy day, showering between clients will help you feel (and smell) fresh and invigorated.

Keep it neat

By keeping pubic hair trimmed it makes it easier to check for little mites (pubic lice, crabs) and other STIs. Some guys think it looks better too and there’s nothing to get pulled either!

Cuts and sores

Be careful where you put your fingers. If you bite your nails or the skin around them they may bleed. If you have any cuts or open sores cover them with a dressing or plaster as an open wound may get infected. Check your cock and arse for any tiny scrapes or cuts regularly.

Drink water 

And lots of it. One of the easiest ways to get infections in the mouth is by not looking after your oral health (mouth, throat, gums, teeth, lips) Never brush your teeth immediately before or after a client, as this will irritate your gums which may make them bleed, making you more open to infection. Try using flavoured condoms for oral sex. It’s important to have plenty of saliva in your mouth as it has bacteria killing agents in it. Drinking water and chewing gum will help stimulate saliva. Try to avoid using alcohol based mouthwash as this can kill the bacteria that helps fight off infections.

Clear out your system 

Drinking lots of water will make you want to piss, which helps flush out bacteria and germs you may have picked up. Remember, certain drugs may make you feel like you don’t need to go for apiss, but you should try to anyway. As a rule the clearer the colour of your piss the more you’ve flushed out your system.

Douching 

Try to keep it to a minimum. You may feel a lot cleaner but too much clearing out of your arse (apart from when you need to go to the toilet) strips the mucus from the lining of your arse which it needs to fight infections. If you must douche, do it well in advance of seeing a client so your body has chance to build up more resistance.

Mind over matter 

It is important to remember that there are often times when personal problems affect our moods and behaviour. We need to be able to understand why we may be feeling down and not dismiss it. Make time to relax and rest between work, clients and partying. At the back of this guide are many useful numbers, take time to look at the variety of services that are available, many of them are free of charge and there is always someone at the end of a phone who can help you.

Eating disorders 

Because of the pressures to always look good, eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa (excessive slimming and under eating) and Bulimia Nervosa (binge eating and vomiting) are very common. These conditions can be very serious and if you think you or someone you know is affected by a condition like this seek help from a doctor or a specialist or encourage them to do the same.

Depression 

One in five people are affected by depression at some point in their lives. Depression affects self-confidence, appetite, sex drive and can lead to sleeplessness, lack of energy and lack of concentration. A combination of approaches is often needed to tackle this. It is important not to rely on alcohol or drugs to try to take these feelings away, often they will make them worse. Talking to a trained counsellor can help a lot, as counsellors provide support by listening, not judging and have an ability to talk in a way that can help you see things from a different perspective. There is no limit to the benefits of having a good counsellor and sessions with them are always confidential. Some people find it helps to talk to them about the following: 

• Relationship issues
• Low self esteem
• Phobias
• Emotional, physical or sexual abuse