LGBT+ Sexual Health

Anyone who is sexually active is at risk from STIs if they have unprotected sex. Gay and bisexual men are a group at greatest risk of HIV in the UK and are also at increased risk from other STIs. It is recommended that you book a full STI screening every three to six months or after changing partner. This is especially important if you have sexual partners who do not know their HIV status. There are ways in which you can help minimise the risk of catching a STIs by: 

• Using condoms, lube and for oral sex, you could use a dental dam. These can help prevent STIs. You can get FREE condoms, and lube through local condom distribution schemes or order them online here. Link to condom page
• If you're using sex toys, use a new condom for each partner or between penetration of different orifices. Sex toys should be washed with soap and water between sessions.
• Avoid oral sex if either of you has any cuts or sores in the mouth or on the lips or use a dental dam. A dental dam is a latex or polyurethane (very thin, soft plastic) square which you can use to cover the anus during oral sex (rimming). It acts as a barrier to help prevent sexually transmitted infections passing from one person to another. (You can make your own by Unrolling the condom, cut the tip off, then cut it lengthwise to unroll it into a rectangle. Use the lubricated side against the anus, or if flavoured, the flavoured side against your mouth. (When sharing sex toys, use a condom on the sex toy, and change this every time you switch user.)
• Infections can be passed on by hands and fingers. Wash your hands before and after sex. Click here to take a look at our guide to oral sex
• Wear latex gloves and use plenty of water-based lubricant anal fisting. Click here to take a look at our guide to anal sex As well as condoms by post we also offer a MSM toolkit, this contains, lube, condoms, gloves, a stay safer guide and leaflets. You cand order MSM kits, condoms and lube here: https://getiton.org.uk/condoms/Pages/default.aspx and you can view the MSM toolkit booklet here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFHgAAKuI0/a4t2UhyHBNDDg_F7xykpuQ/view?utm_content=DAFHgAAKuI0&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink
• Vaccines: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine’s is available for men who have sex with men (MSM) up to and including 45 years of age. The vaccine will help prevent HPV infection, which can cause genital warts and certain types of cancer. It’s especially important for those who are living with HIV, and those who’ve more than one sexual partner. Hepatitis B vaccination It's also offered to people thought to be at increased risk of getting hepatitis B or its complications. The vaccine gives protection against the hepatitis B virus, which is a major cause of serious liver disease, including scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver cancer.
• PrEP is short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It involves taking pills containing the drugs Tenofovir and Emtricitabine. You need to take it before having sex for it to work. Studies show that if PrEP is taken correctly, the chances of getting HIV while you’re on it are almost zero. It’s a really powerful tool for helping prevent new HIV infections. It can’t protect you against other sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea and syphilis. You can learn more about PrEP here: https://getiton.org.uk/Pages/PrEP.aspx
• Post-exposure Prophylaxis or PEP that you can take to help prevent you from HIV if you think you have been exposed. The quicker you take it; the more effective the treatment; PEP must be started within 72 hours of the unprotected sex. PEP can be accessed from any sexual health clinic or from A&E departments at local hospitals. You can learn more about PEP here https://getiton.org.uk/Pages/PEP-.aspx

When deciding whether to have protected or unprotected sex with someone, it’s a good idea to be informed about the risk factors involved in different types of sex. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BAASH) guidelines says non-penetrative contact carries the lowest risk, but no sexual contact is without risk. For penetrative sex (such as fingering, using sex toys and fisting) the risk of transmission is related to the amount of trauma – i.e. if there is friction or aberration (tiny cuts). Risk is also related to if you or your partner(s) have an STI – Remember you won’t necessarily know if you have a STI unless you test for them! Tips for safer sex between women:

• If you're using sex toys, use a new condom for each partner or between penetration of different orifices. Sex toys should be washed with soap and water between sessions.
• Avoid oral sex if either of you has any cuts or sores in the mouth or on the lips or use a dental dam. A dental dam is a latex or polyurethane (very thin, soft plastic) square which you can use to cover the anus or genitals during oral sex. It acts as a barrier to help prevent sexually transmitted infections passing from one person to another. (You can make your own by Unrolling the condom, cut the tip off, then cut it lengthwise to unroll it into a rectangle. Use the lubricated side against the vulva, or if flavoured, the flavoured side against your mouth (note: flavours can irritate the vulva!) When sharing sex toys, use a condom on the sex toy, and change this every time you switch user.)
• Infections can be passed on by hands, fingers and mutual vulvar rubbing. Wash your hands before and after sex.
• Wear latex gloves and use plenty of water-based lubricant for vaginal and anal fisting. You can view more information about vaginal sex here

You can view more information about vaginal sex here

 

You can access condoms and lube by post here: https://getiton.org.uk/condoms/Pages/default.aspx

 

Don’t forget to go for your smear test

 

There is a heteronormative notion that you don’t need to get a smear test unless you’ve had/are having penetrative sex with a penis. This isn’t true! HPV, the virus which can cause cervical cancer, can be transmitted via oral sex, sharing sex toys and genital contact. HPV is very common, and most people will have it at some point in their life but clear it without symptoms. Because it’s so common it’s important to always go for your smear test!  So if you are due one or have never been for one, what are you waiting for, call your GP and get it booked!

The Sexual Health Service is committed to ensuring that all our service users feel welcome. We know that if you are transgender accessing health services can sometimes be difficult or daunting. You may have had negative experiences in the past or have heard that some NHS services are not trans-inclusive. We promise not to make assumptions about your gender or to bring gender into the conversation if it is not relevant to your treatment. We also promise not to make assumptions about your gender based on the treatment you need. However, in sexual health, we may need to ask questions about your gender assigned at birth, and, for example, about whether you have had gender reassignment surgery or hormone treatment, so that we can ensure you get the right treatment. We promise to do this in a sensitive and discreet way. If we could do something better please tell us either in person or, if you prefer, ask for a feedback form at the clinic reception.

 

One-to-one support

The Sexual Health Service offers support to all people regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation about their sexual health. Where appropriate we will provide a referral to specialist local agencies. You can visit a list of LGBT+ support agencies here: https://getiton.org.uk/lgbt/sex/Pages/default.aspx