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10a Union Street EDINBURGH EH1 3LU. Tel 0131 558 9444.

Scottish Charity Number sco23479. Registered company number 156826.

Gay Men's Health can be contacted at the above address and/or phone number. Please use the e-mail form to contact us. All enquiries are treated in strict confidence.


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Condoms

sexual health pages

> available free online from Healthy Gay Scotland

Why use a condom?

If you enjoy a good fuck, then don't allow any irrational fears to put you off. Just make sure you fuck safely, using condoms properly and consistently. Using a condom for fucking is the best way to avoid exposing yourself and your partner to the HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Choosing a condom

Condoms are available free from all gay bars and clubs in Edinburgh, from Gay Men's Health at 10a Union Street, the GUM clinic, and at C-card outlets throughout the city. Choose an extra-strong condom which carries the Kite Mark (certified to conform to British standards) such as SafeGuard Forte or Durex UltraStrong. Try out the different makes of condom; you may find one type suits you better than others. Make sure the 'sell by' date has not passed. If you're allergic to rubber, try using Durex Allergy ... it isn't extra-strong, however, but better than nothing!

Lubricant

Make sure you use a water-based lubricant such is ID lubricant, Liquid Silk (which doesn't dry up so quickly), KY jelly, Boots own brand or De Puy Aquagel. You can get lubricant free from the same places as condoms.
Never use an oil based lubricant as this will damage your condom. Don't use vaseline, hand cream, massage oil or anything like it. If you're desperate to fuck and don't have a water based lube to hand, then even spit is preferable to an oil based lube, though don't make a habit of this. Don't use condoms dry (without lubricant) as they are more likely to rip.

Putting it on

If you want to practice putting on a condom, then try it next time you have a wank. Take care not to rip the condom as you take it out of the packet. Be especially careful if you have sharp nails and don't open the packet with your teeth. Put a very small dab of water based lube on the end of your cock (or his, depending on who's doing the fucking) as this will heighten sensitivity. Make sure the condom is the right way up; you can test with a finger that it rolls out and down. Squeeze any air out of the end of the condom using your thumb and forefinger. Air trapped inside the condom will weaken it. Hold the condom over the tip of the cock and with the other hand carefully unroll it down to the base. If you have a foreskin, pull it back before covering the head of the cock with the condom. Smooth the condom to eliminate any air bubbles. Never use two condoms at the one time. This could lead to breakage. Check the condom occasionally to ensure that it's still OK.

Afterwards

After coming, pull out before your cock becomes soft, holding it firmly around the base. Never use a condom more than once, and never go fucking from one person to another without changing condoms. Dispose of your condom carefully. Wrap them in tissue and bin them.

For further information on this and a range of other important sexual health issues, contact the GUM Clinic or Gay Men’s Health.

GUM (Genito Urinary Medicine) Clinic

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Level 4, Lauriston Building
39 Lauriston Place
Edinburgh
EH3 9YW
Tel : 0131 536 2103 (appointments – men)
Tel : 0131 536 2104 (appointments – women)

Opening hours: Mon 9.00am - 12 noon 2.00pm - 4.15pm
Tue 9.00am - 12 noon 2.00pm - 4.15pm
Wed 9.00am - 11.00am
Thu 9.00am - 12 noon 2.00pm - 4.00pm 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Fri 9.00am - 12 noon 2.00pm - 4.15pm
Consultants: Dr GR Scott, Dr S McMillan Dr C Thompson, Dr D Clutterbuck
Health Advisors: Laura Hogg, Ross MacKay, Marianne Shopland, Karen Matthews

http:// www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/health_services/access/genito.html
You may have to arrange an appointment up to 4 weeks in advance but there is a walk-in clinic, where no appointment is necessary, from 9.00am until 10.00am, Monday to Friday. Currently there are no evening clinics. Same day HIV tests are available Monday – Thursday between 8.30am and 10.30am with results available from 3.30pm the same day.

If you choose to have your test at GUM your results will be totally confidential and you can request a full sexual health check-up which can be done at the same time as your HIV test. For men, this normally involves a swab from the penis, a urine sample and a blood test. You may also have a rectal and throat swab taken. You will be tested for:


Images courtesy of the Steve Retson Project

If you live outside Edinburgh and the Lothians a full list of GUM clinics in the UK, Ireland and the US is available at http://www.bashh.org/directory.htm

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Last updated 20th May 2004

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