Guide on how to practice safe sex and what tools and equipment an individual can use to better protect themselves in different scenarios.
There are multiple protection that we can use during sexual intercourse but each tool have their own use and different limitation. Before we use the tool, we need to know how to use it and when to use it.
It doesn’t matter if you are a top, bottom or both. Staying safe by correctly using condoms and water-based lubricant remains the most effective way to protect yourself against HIV. Together, they’ll stop HIV-infected body fluids (cum or anal mucus of someone who may be HIV-positive) from coming into contact with the mucous membranes in the arse, foreskin, urethra and head of the penis of your partner(s).
Step 1 : When your penis is hard, take the condom out of the wrapper carefully using your fingers (not your teeth). Squeeze the air out of the teat on the tip of the condom (if there’s one) and put it over the end of your penis. Don’t stretch it and then pull it over your penis as this’ll make it more likely to break.
Step 2 : Roll it down the length of your penis – the further down it goes the less likely it’s to slip off. Put some water-based lubricant over your condom-covered penis. Put plenty of lube around his arse too. Don’t put any lube on your penis before you put the condom on, as this can make it slip off.
Step 3 : Check the condom occasionally while fucking to ensure it hasn’t come off or split. If you fuck for a long time you’ll need to keep applying more lube. When you pull out, hold on to the base, so that the entire condom come off while it’s still hard.
Reasons why condoms may fail include:
Most testing clinics will provide condoms when you go for a HIV test. You can also purchase condoms at any supermarket (Big C or Tops), chemist or convenience store. The safe play pack ( Party Pack )
There are various tools that can be used to protect us from STIs but there isn’t only a condom that can be used to have safe sex. Infection not only occur during penetration but also oral sex could put you in a risk of infection too. testBKK would like you to know dental dam, a tool that can be use to help you practice safe sex.
Dental Dam or Rubber Dam is a square piece of stretchy latex or a similar material, mostly produced from polyurethane (PU). At first, the tool is used for dental related practice to reduce bacteria infection. Now it was used to prevent STI, it is placed over genitals or anus during oral sex.
Using dental dam during oral sex will prevent STIs?
Dental dam have similar effectiveness of condoms in term of reducing infection. It protect mouth from directly contacting genital and anus which could transmit STI during oral sex.
STI , Chlamydia , Gonorrhea , Syphilis , HIV , E.Coli
Dental Dam or Rubber Dam is a square piece of stretchy latex or a similar material, mostly produced from polyurethane (PU). At first, the tool is used for dental related practice to reduce bacteria infection. Now it was used to prevent STI, it is placed over genitals or anus during oral sex.
For people who want to practice safe oral sex but couldn’t find where to buy a dental dam. Don’t be worry because we have a small instruction for you to make your own dental dam out of condom. But before we dive in, make sure that the condom you’re using is made out of rubber or polyurethane (PU).
If you are not sure what we’re talking about, look at this clip that show you how simple it is to create one.
By taking one PrEP pill a day, you’re protected non-stop from HIV infection. Learn more about PrEP with the frequently asked questions below.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a powerful new HIV prevention strategy where an HIV-negative person can use anti-HIV medications to reduce their risk of becoming infected if they’re exposed to the virus. It’s an additional tool in the HIV prevention toolbox for people to consider.
PrEP is not right fit for everyone but can be useful for many people who are at risk for HIV infection and comfortable with the idea of taking a daily pill to prevent HIV.
If you answer yes to any of the questions below, then PrEP may be one HIV prevention strategy to consider.
We’re not here to be the condom police and dictate your sex life. Answering this question really depends on what you and perhaps your partners want or need that’ll help decide if you “have” to use condoms. Condoms have been and continue to be an effective strategy to reduce HIV risk, but we know that many people are already not using condoms every time they have sex. PrEP is an additional tool to consider for HIV prevention.
Note that PrEP doesn’t protect against STIs, like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis. Condoms still remain the best strategy to protect people from HIV and STIs.
No. Many people go in and out of “seasons of risk,” where there are certain times it makes sense to take PrEP (like Songkran) and then other times where it doesn’t. For example, if you start taking PrEP because you’re sexually active with multiple partners who you’re unsure of their HIV status, and later you find yourself in a relationship where you and an HIV-negative partner are committed to having sex with only each other, then continuing to take PrEP might not be right for you.
It takes time for PrEP to build up levels in your body that are considered protective. The exact length of time is still being investigated. However, for gay men protective levels should be reached in your anal tissue after seven days of consistently taking your daily PrEP without missing any doses.
It’s challenging to remember to take medication every day, but once you get into a routine, it’s easier. If you happen to forget a dose, don’t freak out. You can take the missed dose when you remember it, as long as it’s the same day. If you routinely take PrEP at night and forget, you can take the pill next day morning with your breakfast. However, it’s important to stick with the same time try to do your best next time when you missed it. You can also talk to your prescriber / doctor or other PrEP users; they may have some helpful tips for you.
Depending on the time you take your dose, people suggest different ideas to help remember. For instance, if you decide to take your dose in the morning or evening perhaps leave your PrEP next to you toothbrush so you remember to take it at the same time as you brush your teeth. Another way people remember is to set a repeated alarm in their phone, reminding them it’s time to take their dose.
If you don’t take it, it won’t work so do whatever you think is best to help you remember It’ll get easier over time. If you’re struggling to regularly remember, talk to your prescriber / doctor or other PrEP users; they may have some helpful tips for you.
Before you start using PrEP, it’s essential to make sure you’re HIV negative; you run a risk of developing HIV drug resistance if you’re already infected with HIV when you start PrEP. HIV drug resistance means certain medications will no longer keep the virus in check if you’re HIV-positive. For this reason, it’s really important to confirm your HIV-negative status before you start using PrEP.
When you’re using PrEP, you should get tested for HIV every three months to make sure PrEP is the right prevention strategy for you.
For the first few weeks of starting the medication used for PrEP, some people complain about nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and dizziness, with these minor symptoms eventually resolving themselves over time. This is often referred to as ‘start-up syndrome”.
Some people in clinical trials had elevations in blood tests that looked at kidney function. With this particular side effect, there were no physical symptoms, so it’s important to remember that if you take PrEP, you need to get routinely checked by your doctor to make sure your kidneys are working properly.
Some people in studies had a decrease in bone mineral density within the first month. However, but these changes were small, didn’t progress over time, and didn’t increase risk for fracture. Once the medication was stopped, it’s likely the bone mineral density returned to normal.
The efficacy of PrEP used by people who occasionally use illicit drugs is similar to that seen in people who don’t take illicit drugs. Nevertheless, disclosing the illicit drugs you use to your doctor before starting PrEP and when you refill your PrEP prescription is important to prevent any unwanted consequences.
Another thing you have to always remember is that PrEP can be less effective or not working at all if you don’t adhere to its daily use. Many cases have shown that daily adherence to PrEP is often difficult to achieve by people who engage in a long high-fun session.
Check out APCOM’s PrEP MAP to find out if you can get PrEP online or abroad from the country you currently live in.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice and for general information only, if you are considering taking PrEP you must consult a doctor or counsellor for more specific information.
Local, foreigners and tourists can access PrEP at affordable prices in several gay-friendly clinics across Thailand. Whether you’re in or outside of Bangkok, click here to find a nearby PrEP provider clinic location.
Both Thais and foreigners can access PrEP with affordable prices, starting from 900THB per monthly supply. An additional cost to cover HIV and STI tests, as well as kidney checkup, may arise along with the purchase of the medication.
If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, PEP may prevent you from getting infected – if you act quickly!
Click here to get PEP within 72 hours Click Here
PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It means taking antiretroviral medicines (ART) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected.
PEP must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV, but the sooner you start PEP, the better. Every hour counts. If you’re prescribed PEP, you’ll need to take it once daily for 28 days. PEP is effective in preventing HIV when administered correctly, but not 100%.
PEP and PrEP is not the same. PEP is a HIV prevention method that’s designed to be taken within 72 hours after potential exposure to HIV. PEP has to be taken for 28 days.
PrEP, on the other hand, is a HIV prevention method in which HIV-negative people take an oral pill once a day before coming into contact with HIV to reduce their risk of HIV infection. PrEP must be taken for at least 7 days to reach optimal levels of protection against HIV.
PEP is effective, but not 100%, so you should continue to use condoms with sex partners and safe injection practices while taking PEP. These strategies can protect you from being exposed to HIV again and reduce the chances of transmitting HIV to others if you do become infected while you’re on PEP.
If you do miss a dose, it is often better to take the pills a bit late rather than not at all. Check with your doctor, but don’t double your next dose.
PEP is safe but may cause side effects like nausea in some people. These side effects can be treated and aren’t life-threatening.
PEP should be used only in emergency situations.
PEP is not the right choice for people who may be exposed to HIV frequently—for example, if you don’t take PrEP and often have sex without a condom with a partner who is HIV-positive or with a person whose HIV status is unknown to you. If this example sounds like you, changing your habit to use condom consistently and/or take PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a better option for you.
PrEP is a daily anti-HIV medicine to lower the chances of getting HIV. Learn more about it, including where you can get it in Bangkok, on our PrEP section.
The price of a course of PEP, which provides you at least 28 pills for daily intake, vary from 1,500 ฿ or more, depending on the place where you get it and the brand of the medicine. Thai national health care do not cover PEP, so you have to pay it from your own pocket.
If you’re HIV-negative or don’t know your HIV status, and in the last 72 hours you:
PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV.
PEP is not a substitute for regular use of other proven HIV prevention methods, such as:
PEP must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure. The sooner you start PEP, the better; every hour counts.
Starting PEP as soon as possible after a potential HIV exposure is important. Research has shown that PEP has little or no effect in preventing HIV infection if it is started later than 72 hours after HIV exposure.
If you’re prescribed PEP, you’ll need to take it once daily for 28 days.
The efficacy of PEP used by people who occasionally use illicit drugs is similar to that seen in people who don’t take illicit drugs. Nevertheless, disclosing the illicit drugs you use to your doctor before starting PEP is important to prevent any unwanted consequences.
Another thing you have to always remember is that PEP can be less effective or not working at all if you don’t adhere to its daily use. Many cases have shown that daily adherence to PEP is often difficult to achieve by people who engage in a long high session.
TestBKK’s clinic partners or an emergency room doctor can prescribe PEP. Talk to them right away if you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV. The doctor will try to evaluate how likely it is you have actually been exposed to HIV before starting treatment. This means you have to be honest in telling your incident to your doctor. The doctor will not judge you. Instead, he/she will be very helpful and make you feel at ease.
