These body fluids have been shown to contain high concentrations of HIV:
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Anal Sex
Unprotected (without a condom) anal sex (intercourse) is considered to be very risky behavior. It is possible for either sex partner to become infected with HIV during anal sex. HIV can be found in the blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, or vaginal fluid of a person infected with the virus. In general, the person receiving the semen is at greater risk of getting HIV because the lining of the rectum is thin and may allow the virus to enter the body during anal sex. However, a person who inserts his penis into an infected partner also is at risk because HIV can enter through the urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis) or through small cuts, abrasions, or open sores on the penis.
Not having (abstaining from) sex is the most effective way to avoid HIV. If people choose to have anal sex, they should use a latex condom. Most of the time, condoms work well. However, condoms are more likely to break during anal sex than during vaginal sex. Thus, even with a condom, anal sex can be risky. A person should use generous amounts of water-based lubricant in addition to the condom to reduce the chances of the condom breaking.
[back to the top]Not having (abstaining from) sex is the most effective way to avoid HIV. If people choose to have anal sex, they should use a latex condom. Most of the time, condoms work well. However, condoms are more likely to break during anal sex than during vaginal sex. Thus, even with a condom, anal sex can be risky. A person should use generous amounts of water-based lubricant in addition to the condom to reduce the chances of the condom breaking.
¿Puedo contraer el VIH teniendo sexo anal?
Sí, es posible que cualquiera de los dos compañeros sexuales contraigan el VIH durante el sexo anal. El VIH puede encontrarse en la sangre, el semen, el líquido pre-seminal o el líquido vaginal de una persona infectada por el virus. En general, la persona que recibe el semen está en mayor riesgo de contraer el VIH porque el recubrimiento del recto es delgado y puede permitir que el virus se introduzca en el cuerpo durante el sexo anal. Sin embargo, una persona que inserta el pene en una pareja infectada también está en peligro porque el VIH puede entrar a través de la uretra (la abertura en la punta del pene) o a través de cortaduras pequeñas, abrasiones o heridas abiertas en el pene.
Teniendo relaciones sexuales anales sin protección (sin usar un condón) es un comportamiento de alto riesgo para la transmisión del VIH. Si usted decide tener relaciones sexuales anales, debe usar un condón de látex. Casi siempre, los condones funcionan bien. Sin embargo, los condones tienen mayor probabilidad de romperse durante el sexo anal que durante el sexo vaginal. Por lo tanto, aún con un condón, el sexo anal puede ser peligroso. Una persona debe usar un lubricante basado en agua además del condón para disminuir la posibilidad de romper el condón
[back to the top]Sí, es posible que cualquiera de los dos compañeros sexuales contraigan el VIH durante el sexo anal. El VIH puede encontrarse en la sangre, el semen, el líquido pre-seminal o el líquido vaginal de una persona infectada por el virus. En general, la persona que recibe el semen está en mayor riesgo de contraer el VIH porque el recubrimiento del recto es delgado y puede permitir que el virus se introduzca en el cuerpo durante el sexo anal. Sin embargo, una persona que inserta el pene en una pareja infectada también está en peligro porque el VIH puede entrar a través de la uretra (la abertura en la punta del pene) o a través de cortaduras pequeñas, abrasiones o heridas abiertas en el pene.
Teniendo relaciones sexuales anales sin protección (sin usar un condón) es un comportamiento de alto riesgo para la transmisión del VIH. Si usted decide tener relaciones sexuales anales, debe usar un condón de látex. Casi siempre, los condones funcionan bien. Sin embargo, los condones tienen mayor probabilidad de romperse durante el sexo anal que durante el sexo vaginal. Por lo tanto, aún con un condón, el sexo anal puede ser peligroso. Una persona debe usar un lubricante basado en agua además del condón para disminuir la posibilidad de romper el condón
So what is the deal with oral sex? Oral sex is considered low risk for HIV transmission, especially if there is no swallowing of fluids. However, if there are cold sores, bleeding gums or any broken skin in the mouth, risk of transmission. increases. When in doubt, use a condom and avoid swallowing.
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Protect your sexual health! We have all heard the speeches about condoms. Well then, why don't we use them as often as we could? Sometimes it's hard to bring up the subject, because we don't want to get rejected or maybe we are having sex to make money and don't want to risk losing a date who pays.
1. LUBRICATION is the key to keeping the sensation!. Add extra lubricant to the condom after it is already on. Also, putting a small drop of lube in the tip of the condom before putting it on makes it feel nicer for the person who is wearing it. Try this trick to show your partner that the condom can feel more natural…
2. NEGOTIATE the condom before you get to that moment. If your partner, or date, refuses, you may have to make a hard decision. If you don't want to give up the date, remember that oral sex without a condom is less risky than anal sex without a condom.
There are many factors that can also contribute to being at risk for HIV infection as well as other sexually transmitted disease's other then unprotected sex. It is usually when we are at our most vulnerable that we let our self protection guard down and open ourselves up to possible exposure.
Dealing with all of the issues that surround us as Trans people can be overwhelming at times. Finding healthy ways to deal with all of the stress is far more empowering and liberating. Channel the negative energy into something positive such as getting involved in your community.
2. NEGOTIATE the condom before you get to that moment. If your partner, or date, refuses, you may have to make a hard decision. If you don't want to give up the date, remember that oral sex without a condom is less risky than anal sex without a condom.
There are many factors that can also contribute to being at risk for HIV infection as well as other sexually transmitted disease's other then unprotected sex. It is usually when we are at our most vulnerable that we let our self protection guard down and open ourselves up to possible exposure.
Dealing with all of the issues that surround us as Trans people can be overwhelming at times. Finding healthy ways to deal with all of the stress is far more empowering and liberating. Channel the negative energy into something positive such as getting involved in your community.
Transitioning-hair, makeup, hormones-can be an exciting way to celebrate our female-ness. But underneath that we can also feel anxious about our appearance and reactions from others. We may feel sad and/or lonely on top of dealing with the stress of trying to find friends, lovers, employers and places where we can just be who we are!
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-Feeling sad, hopeless, worthless or guilty most of the time
-Not having the energy to do anything
-Having trouble concentrating
-Losing interest in activities that you usually enjoy
-Feeling that drugs or alcohol is the only way to get through the day
Feeling like this does not mean that you "can't handle it". You are a good person who is dealing with some difficult issues. Here are some suggestions for help:
1. Find people who understand! Some gay community centers have staff or support groups. The Internet has some good chat rooms where you can talk to other transgender women without giving details about yourself.
2. If you are feeling depressed, it is a good idea to check out counseling services through a community center, website or doctor.
3. Sometimes depression can lead us into doing risky things, like unsafe sex or sex with people who may hurt us, because we feel that our lives are not valuable. But you ARE valuable- and putting yourself at risk for HIV, injury or death is not a way to deal with feeling down. Deal with your feelings by talking to others and getting help. Things CAN get better.
[back to the top]-Not having the energy to do anything
-Having trouble concentrating
-Losing interest in activities that you usually enjoy
-Feeling that drugs or alcohol is the only way to get through the day
Feeling like this does not mean that you "can't handle it". You are a good person who is dealing with some difficult issues. Here are some suggestions for help:
1. Find people who understand! Some gay community centers have staff or support groups. The Internet has some good chat rooms where you can talk to other transgender women without giving details about yourself.
2. If you are feeling depressed, it is a good idea to check out counseling services through a community center, website or doctor.
3. Sometimes depression can lead us into doing risky things, like unsafe sex or sex with people who may hurt us, because we feel that our lives are not valuable. But you ARE valuable- and putting yourself at risk for HIV, injury or death is not a way to deal with feeling down. Deal with your feelings by talking to others and getting help. Things CAN get better.
Also known as self medicating
When we are facing the challenges of knowing who we really are, transitioning and plain old survival, we may feel nervous, lonely, confused or feel we need something to numb the pain. Using alcohol or drugs may seem to help, but can also harm us in many ways, including increasing our risk for getting HIV, STDs and hurting our bodies. If you feel that you must use, you can still choose to lower the harm of alcohol and drug use.
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1. If you are using because you feel lonely or depressed, try to deal with your depression in other ways. Talk to friends or check out some of the websites in the Resources section.
2. Use around friends who will keep an eye on you. Using before or with dates or strangers could put you at risk for having someone take advantage of you, or make unsafe sex more likely.
3. Always think of your safety…don't expose yourself to HIV or Hepatitis B/C by sharing needles. If you use drugs or alcohol before sex, know your limits and plan to not get in a situation where you may not be able to protect or defend yourself.
[back to the top]2. Use around friends who will keep an eye on you. Using before or with dates or strangers could put you at risk for having someone take advantage of you, or make unsafe sex more likely.
3. Always think of your safety…don't expose yourself to HIV or Hepatitis B/C by sharing needles. If you use drugs or alcohol before sex, know your limits and plan to not get in a situation where you may not be able to protect or defend yourself.
