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Avoiding STDs
Safe sex is one of the most important things
a gay male can practice, especially when STDs are so easily transmitted from
anyone through sexual acts. You do not know all of the people your sexual
partner, or partners, have been with. Therefore, it is your responsibility
to protect yourself. The level of protection you practice is ultimately going
to be your choice. However, remember that there may be consequences to your
actions, and some of the consequences may not be worth the risk you felt
was necessary to have a fulfilling sexual relationship.
Abstinence
Abstinence is not always the answer. However,
in some cases being abstinent is going to make sense. Just because you have
not had a boyfriend in some time does not mean you need to go and find the
first available male. It is common for AIDS to be transmitted to both gay
and straight individuals through one night stands or random encounters. It
is best to try and wait until you can find the right partner for you. However,
this is not always realistic so make sure you are at least protected to reduce
the transmission of not only AIDS but other STD's such as herpes and
crabs.
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Wear Protection
Whether with your partner or not always wear
protection! It may not feel the same, but in the end is it really worth risking
your health for 10 seconds of explosive pleasure? In all honesty, it doesn't
feel so different you cannot experience pleasure, nor does it diminish the
quality of your orgasm. It is more of a mental complex at the thought of
having to wear a condom and not truly feeling skin to skin as you would want
to.
A misconception among many young, gay males
seem to be that lube can protect from STDs. This is absolutely not true!
Lube cannot protect you from anything but painful penetration. Condoms, on
the other hand, can help protect from STD's however they cannot truly eliminate
them. If a condom breaks an STD can be transmitted. If anything leaks STD's
can be transmitted. That is why abstinence is believed to be the best, though
not the most realistic, choice.
Be Monogamous
If you have a partner you may already be practicing
monogamy. However, not all couples are monogamous. If you are not in a
relationship your chances of being polygamist have increased. It is best
to try and stick with one central partner if you can. Even if you are just
fulfilling your own sexual needs together and it isn't much more of a
relationship then that at least you get to know who you are dealing
with.
The hardest way to track STDs is by having so
many different partners that you cannot keep track of who you are with each
night, let alone each week or month. This is partly why diseases like AIDS
(HIV) are so hard to stop. You cannot track the virus to its source and those
afflicted with the virus may not know for years. So, they keep having unprotected
sex and affecting a new group of individuals unknowingly.
Have Regular Check Ups
If you have sex frequently, especially with
more then one partner the best thing you can do is get frequent checkups.
Many clinics offer free AIDS and other STD testing. The goal is to help combat
these viruses and diseases in order to prevent them. The hope is that early
testing will reveal an early diagnosis of these diseases. If an early diagnosis
can occur so can early treatment, as well as future prevention.
If you find out you have an STD you can (and
should) alert past partners. Make sure they get tested. If you plan to have
future partners you owe it to them in advance to let them know of your STD
status. If they are healthy they do not deserve the disease and perhaps your
revelation will lead to awareness on their part.
STDs are no laughing matter. It is important
to stay happy, healthy, and have frequent testing. If you contract an STD
you should always get it treated immediately and, if possible, inform present
and past partners. Prevention of STDs is a group effort. If you cannot stay
safe perhaps your actions can ensure others will.
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