WELCOME TO GAY MEN’S HEALTH
SCOTLAND’S CHARITY FOR GAY MEN
TRANSMISSION
You can get HIV if you fuck without a condom, whether you are giving or receiving. Some men think that a partner will tell them if they have HIV. However, many men do not know they have HIV and so can’t tell you. Approximately 30% of gay or bisexual men do not know that they are infected with HIV.
To make sure that you are safe, use a good quality condom with a CE mark. One of the most common reasons for a condom bursting is not using enough lube. You should use plenty of water-based or silicon-based lube on the outside of the condom after you have put it on.
Some more tips on condom use:
●Don't store condoms near heat or light, as this will weaken them.
●Carefully open the wrapper so as not to damage the condom. Don't use your teeth. It's best if you open the condom wrapper before you get your hands all slippery with lube.
●Get a condom that fits you properly. A piece of recent research shows that the thickness of the condom doesn't seem to be as important as getting one that fits properly. So if you need a larger or smaller one then go for that. If in doubt, go for the ones that you get from Gay Men's Health in Edinburgh and Glasgow's gay bars/clubs/saunas, from outreach workers or from HIV Scotland's postal scheme.
●Putting a blob of lube inside the condoms to increase sensitivity is just a myth, and it's not a good idea. Getting lube on your/his cock before putting the condom, or putting lube inside the condom, just makes it more likely to slip off.
●Squeeze the teat of the condom to get the air out before you put it on. If you leave air in there it will increase the chance of the condom bursting.
●Not using enough lube is a major factor in condoms bursting. Use plenty of water-based or silicon-based lube on the outside of the condom after you have put it on. And don't forget to make sure there's plenty of lube in your/his arse as well.
●Don't use spit as a lube as it doesn't work well and don't get oil based stuff (like suncream, baby oil or lipstick) anywhere near the condom as this will make it more likely to burst.
●Check occasionally while you are fucking that the condom is still on and apply more lube. If you've been going at it for more than 45 minutes then put on a fresh condom. Fucking with the same condom for more than 45 minutes makes it more likely to burst.
●If you're fucking with more than one guy then use different condoms with each one. It's the same if you are using condoms to cover a dildo that is being used on more than one guy.
●When withdrawing, hold the condom at the base to stop any cum leaking out and to prevent the condom from slipping off.
Condom Types
Condoms come in a variety of shapes, sizes and types. Thick ones, thin ones, large, small, ribbed, etc. So try them out and see which ones suit you best.
Don't use novelty condoms (e.g. glow in the dark ones) for having sex as these have not passed the relevant European CE or British Kitemark standards. It's also best not to use spermicidally lubricated condoms (they will be marked as containing Nonoxynol 9) as they provide little protection against HIV and may in fact increase the risk of infection.
If you have a latex allergy then there are latex free types of condoms. There are also Femidoms, which you can use like an extra large condom.
(Click here for more information on condoms.)
Condoms and Sucking
There is a risk of catching HIV from sucking cock, although it is lower than that from fucking or being fucked without a condom. If you are worried then you can use flavoured condoms for sucking.
(Click here for more information on sucking cock and related HIV risks.)
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