This is not a set of HIV prevention guidelines.
Intended only for gay men who have already decided not to use condoms for anal sex, some advocates believe these strategies may help reduce the harm associated with barebacking. Here, harm should be interpreted more broadly than HIV infection; these tips may also help reduce the risk of other STDs. And bear in mind that much of this info is anecdotal and debated by researchers.
1. POPPERS AND VIAGRA
Dilated blood vessels in the rectum caused by sniffing poppers make it easier for viruses to enter your bloodstream, so if your partner ejaculates inside you, you're wide open for infection. Viagra works similarly and poses similar risks by increasing blood flow to the pelvic region, facilitating erection, and to the rectum.
2. LUBRICANT
Use it generously to help prevent tears that allow infection. Don't rely on saliva. Nonoxynol-9 may afford limited protection against some STDs. However, it may irritate and increase the urethral or rectal tissues' susceptibility. One study of N-9 use in gay men's rectums found it did not create irritation that would significantly increase risk of infection, but medical literature yields conflicting data on this. An over-the-counter contraceptive gel, like Advantage 24, is unlikely to fully coat the rectum and provide complete protection.
3.EARLY WITHDRAWAL
Early withdrawal before ejaculation may reduce risk. But since HIV and other infectious agents are in pre-cum, this method still poses a risk.
4. RATIONING
Rationing barebacking over time limits the number of exposures and sex partners - which can reduce the risk of harm-and allows time for healing of tears or trauma in the rectum, urethra and outer skin of the penis.
5. NEGOTIATION
Try to talk with partners about STD status, including HIV, herpes, hepatitis and human papilloma virus (which causes anal and genital warts). If talk isn't part of your sex, you may be able to see or feel warts, lesions, discharge or other physical signs of STDs. Be aware that one may be asymptomatic yet still infectious. Decide ahead of time if you're willing to cum in your partner or allow him to cum in you, then assess your ability to trust your mutual adherence to that agreement.
6. BEFORE- AND AFTER-CARE
Douching or using enemas with harsh detergents can strip away protective cells in the rectum. If you use an enema before sex, try warm water. Be careful not to create tears inside or around the anus. Some believe lubes, especially oil- and silicon-based, can trap germs against the skin, increasing likelihood of infection. Douching with a spermicidal foam or homemade vinegar-and-water solution after sex may render some infectious agents inactive, but little research has been conducted in this area. If you are having sex with multiple partners over a short time, don't douche until after the last one. Try to urinate right after sex: Urine's acidity can help clean out the urethra.
7. IMMUNITY
The more stressed, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, tired or ill you are, chances will be higher that an exposure results in infection. If you have HIV and another STD, you are more likely to transmit HIV. If you're HIV negative and have an STD, you're more likely to become infected with HIV if exposed.
8. GET VACCINATED
Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B. Barebacking exposes you to fecal matter and other Hepatitis-transmitting fluids.
INTERNET RESOURCES
www.managingdesire.org
Check out the article by Nicholas Sheon and and Aaron Plant titled "Protease Dis-Inhibitors? The Gay Bareback Phenomenon." Probably the most balanced and thorough piece on barebacking that has been published on the Internet to date.
http://www.gaybareback.com/page1.htm
Includes a directory of members who frequent the IRC (Internet relay chat) bareback channel, information on ordering bareback videos, personal ads, and other links.
Note: This website is no longer online
www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/bareback
Provides instructions on how to subscribe to the moderated listserv dedicated to barebacking interests. This listserv does not allow discussions of HIV or AIDS.
Note: Onelist became Egroups, and Egroups became Yahoogroups.
The address within the link has been changed to reflect that. However, Yahoogroups has recently (winter, 2004) eliminated many sexually-oriented groups, including some bareback groups.
http://rampages.onramp.net/~tmike/xtremesex/xtreme.html
This web site includes media clippings on barebacking, personal ads that include men looking to infect or become infected by others, links, and more.
Note: This website is no longer online
#gaybareback
Internet Relay Chat channel dedicated to barebacking, with live chat between online users. Requires client software (mIRC) and connection to any Efnet server.
Note: This website has been offline but something new
appears to be coming to this address soon. (02/02)
http://www.geocities.com/~sexpanicnyc/sexsans.htm
This site includes the text of an essay by Tony Valenzuela titled "Let's Talk About Sex Without Condoms."
Note: This website is no longer online