Gay Sex Risks Review

Gay Sex Risks Review

Gay Sex Risks are risks bound with gay sex practice and ranging from various physical disorders like venereal diseases to emotional problems and stresses.

There is no denial that gay sex is present in every culture and epoch, however, it is also true that it has always aroused controversies and is still frowned upon by many societies. It is thus natural that such public attitude has inevitably compelled many gays conceal their orientation and so be deprived of different benefits, including adequate medical services.

As a result we can speak of gay sex practitioners as a separate risk group for STDs. In particular, statistics show that around 40% of new HIV infections are found in men who sleep with men, and on the whole, nearly 10% of twenty-something MSM are infected with HIV.

So what are the specific gay sex risks and what can be done to reduce them?

Starting with health risks, it should be pointed out that unprotected gay sex may lead to the contraction or transmission of such diseases as HIV, hepatitis, gonorrhea, syphilis, anal cancer and even tuberculosis. At that, it would be erroneous to believe that only penile-anal and oral-anal intercourses are dangerous. Gay sex risks during fingering, for example, include hepatitis A/B/C, HIV and various parasites; and even frottage or cuddling can bring crabs (louses) and scabies. While some of these diseases are not life-threatening they can still be very annoying, cause pains and distress and require long-term treatment.

Considering the above, to reduce gay sex risks protection should always be used.

One of the best and simplest means of it is using the barrier method, or in other words, condoms, dental dams, latex gloves, etc. This is rather safe as the contact of body fluids such as saliva, semen or blood is minimized, yet even this does not guarantee 100% safety. Various scratches and tears of tissues, especially the delicate lining of anus increase the gay sex risks manifold. It is therefore advisable to examine each other's genitalia and other body parts for visible signs testifying to health problems. It should also be understood that protection is not something to economize on. Approved brands of condoms and latex-compatible lubricants or maybe even post-exposure prophylaxis could decrease gay sex risks considerably; one of the gay sex myths is that wearing two condoms simultaneously ensures better safety, yet - on the contrary - such practice is even more dangerous as condoms are likely to rip.

As for the possible psychological problems, they are mostly connected with perceived lack of support and understanding of gays in the society. Gay men, especially at an early age, can feel ashamed or uncomfortable about their homosexuality and view it as some kind of a clinical case consequently suffering from severe stresses and depressions. It is also true that male sexual abuse is not infrequent in gay interaction, adding to the gay sex risks and presenting a serious problem in itself.

To conclude, the most efficient way to reduce gay sex risks is to be selective and careful when choosing a partner. Trust, negotiation and honesty are the important issues that should always be considered in every relationship.