Get Tested! Why it is important to get tested!

As a gay man, it is imperative to get tested regularly and especially if you are sexually active! Why you may ask? Two reasons! First, know your HIV status or other STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) that you may have. I strongly believe that every gay man SHOULD know his HIV status.

Secondly, it’s for your general health and your sexual health. Knowing your status gives you power over your choice of (sexual) health and lifestyle. If your test result is negative, please continue to practice safer sex. If your test result is positive, please consult an HIV specialist doctor that can give you an appropriate course of action in getting you the right treatment.

Getting tested is EASIER than you think! Hassle Free Clinic on Gerrard and Church provides an anonymous testing site for both STIs and HIV. For full details, please click on below link:

http://hasslefreeclinic.org/ProgramsMen.php

If you wish to further your knowledge on Testing and Why It Is Important, I would recommend you to read this excellent article below:

http://fridae.com/newsfeatures/2009/10/28/9313.the-testing-imperative-how-increased-hiv-testing-can-help-slow-down-hiv-transmission

Any question or queries in regards to your sexual health? Please contact or email our Men’s Program. All queries can be anonymous!

Final words: Get Out There. Have Fun! Get TESTED!

Spit or Swallow?

We were often asked which is safer, spit or swallow, cum that is? This question has never been fully answered. In our professional (and personal) experience, go for spit when you can! But if the guy cum inside your mouth and especially at the back of your throat when it seems near impossible for you to spit, then you have no other option other than to swallow. Don’t worry too much; the acids in your stomach will kill the virus quickly. Extract from thebody.com by Dr Robert J Frascino below will shed some lights on “Spit or Swallow” question.

“The spit or swallow controversy continues. Oral sex in general, as you point out, carries a very low risk for HIV transmission. The risk for other STI's is higher. Regarding HIV, the insertive partner has less risk than a receptive partner (oral, vaginal, or anal). Not getting spunked (no ejaculation) is, in general, also considered less risky. However, once you've got a mouthful of liquid protein, perhaps the best advice is to get rid of it either by spitting it out or swallowing it quickly. Is one method safer than the other? Most guides would recommend spitting over swallowing, but we really don't know for sure. Stomach acids would certainly quickly kill the virus very quickly. Theoretically, you don't want infected spunk to be in contact with mucous membranes (like the inside of your mouth and throat) for very long. Minimizing this contact decreases the risk that HIV will be absorbed. So spit when you can, swallow quickly when you must, and do not use someone's jiz as a trendy new mouthwash to gargle with, even if you do like the taste better than Listerine.”

To read the full Q&A, please click:

http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Current/Q188582.html

Put “spit or swallow” aside, you also have to be aware of the hygiene and the general health of your mouth like is there a cut or chancre in your mouth, any bleeding gum, any sore throat? General rule of thumb, if you are planning to give oral sex in a foreseeable future, don’t eat any hot or chips related food, don’t brush or floss your teeth because any of these activities may cause irritation or cut in your mouth. Please AVOID oral sex if you do have cuts, sore-throat, bleeding gum or throat infection.

Final words, your sex partner should NOT cum in your mouth. He SHOULD let you know when he’s about to cum so you are prepared for the flowing “juice” then you can decide whether to swallow or not!

Asses your risk for HIV!

Do you want to know whether you are at risk of HIV? Do you want to play a game?

Understanding your HIV risk assessment will give you knowledge and power over your sex life and your sexual health!

Take the fun quiz below and assess your risk for HIV!

http://www.thebody.com/surveys/sexsurvey.html?riskSection=community