TOPICS
SAFER SEX
"Safe sex -
no regrets"
ALINE
Safer SEX
No sex without risk of infection - but there are ways to significantly reduce the risk
You are always responsible for safer sex together by communicating about it and protecting yourselves. The most effective way to prevent you from transmitting pathogens: Test yourself regularly for STIs and use condoms!
STIs- what and how?
There are different STIs (= Sexually Transmitted Infections). Most of them are curable or well treatable - the earlier the treatment, the faster the cure.
Sexually transmitted infections are infections that are transmitted during sexual acts. The best-known STIs include HIV, chlamydia, syphillis, gonorrhea ("gonorrhea"), HPV (human papillomavirus, which can also lead to genital warts), hepatitis B and C, and genital herpes.
The transmission routes vary depending on the type of pathogen. For example, infections can be passed on through the exchange of body fluids (saliva, vaginal secretions, seminal fluid, blood, breast milk) and through minute injuries to mucous membranes, but also through prolonged skin contact.
Most STIs are curable or treatable - the earlier you know about the infection, the better. The sooner you start treatment, the faster and smoother it will be.
Safer Sex: How to
Basically, it is impossible to completely rule out infections during sex. The exception is solo or cybersex. With the right safer sex strategies, you can reduce the likelihood of infection. You decide what is possible and feasible for you!
Hygiene:
Wash/clean your hands and/or toys thoroughly before use. You should change or clean hands or toys that have been used anally before inserting them vaginally. Do not use toys/hands alternately with several people, but clean them in between.
Give rubber!
Usecondoms - they are available for men and women (Femidome/Female condoms), Dental Dams (lick cloths) and if necessary also gloves or finger cots.
Uses lubricant.
Lubricantprevents injuries to mucous membranes and thus reduces the risk of blood transmission. Since alcohol and many other drugs additionally dry out the body, lube is especially important in a party context. Note: Latex rubbers and toys can become porous and tear with grease- or oil-based lubricants. Silicone-based lubricants are compatible with latex, but toys must be cleaned with soap afterwards. If in doubt, always use water-based lubricant, which is compatible with almost everything.
If you apply lubricant both anally and to the vulva or fronthole, use a separate lubricant in each case and wash your hands or change gloves in between.
Communication tips
>> Practice talking about safer sex, even outside of sexual settings. Clarify in advance what is ok! (Almost) everyone has sex - the more people engage in safer sex, the lower the risk of contracting an STI.
>> Take yourself and your needs/limits seriously and respond to those of your partner. If you don't feel safe with one partner or can't find a common denominator, don't do it.
>> If you are not sure whether your partner really uses a condom and is using safe contraception: Take additional steps to protect yourself.
>> If you consider condoms, finger cots, leaking cloths and the like to be "turn-offs", find ways to present them in a new and exciting way. Safe sex is sexy, preparation is everything!
HIV prevention: Safer Sex 3.0
>> As an HIV-positive person, you protect your partners by taking HIV therapy. This involves suppressing the multiplication of HIV viruses with the help of medication. You can obtain information about PrEP and TasP from medical specialists, health authorities, AIDS service organizations, checkpoints and sexual health advice centres.
>> The triad of HIV prevention consisting of condoms, PrEP (= pre-exposure prophylaxis) and TasP (= therapy as prevention) offers effective protection against HIV infection.
>> You take PrEP medication on an ad hoc basis to protect yourself from infection
>> Attention: PrEP only protects against infection with HIV! Make sure you get advice on taking PrEP!
Safer sex mishaps
Mishaps can happen during safer sex. First keep calm and consider what risks are/were present; not every safer sex accident carries a high risk of infection. If you are unsure, you can contact an emergency clinic in your area or (best of all) the telephone counseling service of the AIDS help centers in Germany, Tel. +49+180+33.19411
With PEP (=Post-Exposure-Prophylaxis), you can still prevent an infection with HIV with a high probability after an HIV risk contact, if you take HIV medication regularly for 4 weeks. Important: The faster you start, the better the chances of success! Recommended time frames are 2 to 24 hours after the risk of transmission, do not wait longer than 48 hours. PEP is only available on prescription, but can also be issued in an emergency clinic. More information and an overview of Berlin's emergency clinics can be found at mancheck Berlin.
The morning-after pill
helps you to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. You can buy it over the counter at any (emergency) pharmacy. It is more effective the earlier it is used - preferably in the first 24 hours. In any case , get tested for HIV, hepatitis and other STIs 3 months after your safer sex accident - doctors will do this for free!
Rinsecontact points
gently (!) with clean water.
In case of oral contact, use mouth rinse (do not brush teeth!).
STI testing:
>> The only reliable way to find out whether you are infected with an STI is to get tested regularly. This is the only way to protect your partners. Many STIs can also progress without pronounced symptoms. However, the infection can still be transmitted and can also lead to consequential damage to yourself.
>> An HIV/ STI test is recommended at least every 6 months, or every 3 months if you change partners very frequently. If you and your partner only have sex with others very rarely or not at all, it may be sufficient to get tested once a year, as your risk of infection is then low.
>> HIV and STI tests are offered by medical specialists, health authorities, AIDS service organizations, checkpoints and sexual health advice centers. There is also a self-test for home use [more on the DAH info page].
Stay fierce,
stay hot,
stay kinky
-
stay safe!
Info
>> Sex Aware - Information on safer sex & sexual health (German/English) https://www.sex-aware.org
>> Safer sex information from the German AIDS service organization https://www.aidshilfe.de/safer-sex
>> Information from the BZgA on sexually transmitted infections https://www.liebesleben.de/
>> HIV & more information portal https://www.hivandmore.de/
Help and test offers
>> Hotline of the Berliner Aidshilfe for clarifying the risk of STIs and testing options: Phone +30+19411 (daily 12:00-22:00), www.berlin-aidshilfe.de/angebote/anonyme-telefonberatung
>>Telephone adviceservice of the German AIDS service organization: https://www.aidshilfe.de/telefonische-beratung
>> manCheck Berlin - prevention project for men* who have sex with men* https://www.mancheck-berlin.de/
>> GayHealthChat - advice from the AIDS service organization for gay men https://www.gayhealthchat.de/
>> Checkpoint Berlin - testing services for gay/bisexual men*, trans and intersex people (Enbys) https://checkpoint-bln.de/
>> Viropraxis - Berlin practice for infectiological diseases, trans* medicine and sexual health https://www.viropraxis.de/
>> Test it Berlin - testing services for at-risk groups from Fixpunkt e.V. https://www.fixpunkt.org/test-it-berlin/
>> Centers for sexual health of the Berlin health authorities www.berlin-aidshilfe.de/information-aufkl%C3%A4rung/zentren-f%C3%BCr-sexuelle-gesundheit-und-familienplanung
>> FPZ Balance Berlin - advice on abortion and more www.fpz-berlin.de
>> ProFamilia - advice on abortion and more (Germany-wide) https://www.profamilia.de/?id=924
>> Gynformation - list of gynecologists and midwives who treat respectfully https://www.gynformation.de/
TOPICS
SAFER SEX
"Safe sex -
no regrets"
ALINE
Safer SEX
No sex without risk of infection - but there are ways to significantly reduce the risk
You are always responsible for safer sex together by communicating about it and protecting yourselves. The most effective way to prevent you from transmitting pathogens: Test yourself regularly for STIs and use condoms!
STIs- what and how?
There are different STIs (= Sexually Transmitted Infections). Most of them are curable or well treatable - the earlier the treatment, the faster the cure.
Sexually transmitted infections are infections that are transmitted during sexual acts. The best-known STIs include HIV, chlamydia, syphillis, gonorrhea ("gonorrhea"), HPV (human papillomavirus, which can also lead to genital warts), hepatitis B and C, and genital herpes.
The transmission routes vary depending on the type of pathogen. For example, infections can be passed on through the exchange of body fluids (saliva, vaginal secretions, seminal fluid, blood, breast milk) and through minute injuries to mucous membranes, but also through prolonged skin contact.
Most STIs are curable or treatable - the earlier you know about the infection, the better. The sooner you start treatment, the faster and smoother it will be.
Safer Sex: How to
Basically, it is impossible to completely rule out infections during sex. The exception is solo or cybersex. With the right safer sex strategies, you can reduce the likelihood of infection. You decide what is possible and feasible for you!
Hygiene:
Wash/clean your hands and/or toys thoroughly before use. You should change or clean hands or toys that have been used anally before inserting them vaginally. Do not use toys/hands alternately with several people, but clean them in between.
Give rubber!
Usecondoms - they are available for men and women (Femidome/Female condoms), Dental Dams (lick cloths) and if necessary also gloves or finger cots.
Uses lubricant.
Lubricantprevents injuries to mucous membranes and thus reduces the risk of blood transmission. Since alcohol and many other drugs additionally dry out the body, lube is especially important in a party context. Note: Latex rubbers and toys can become porous and tear with grease- or oil-based lubricants. Silicone-based lubricants are compatible with latex, but toys must be cleaned with soap afterwards. If in doubt, always use water-based lubricant, which is compatible with almost everything.
If you apply lubricant both anally and to the vulva or fronthole, use a separate lubricant in each case and wash your hands or change gloves in between.
Communication tips
>> Practice talking about safer sex, even outside of sexual settings. Clarify in advance what is ok! (Almost) everyone has sex - the more people engage in safer sex, the lower the risk of contracting an STI.
>> Take yourself and your needs/limits seriously and respond to those of your partner. If you don't feel safe with one partner or can't find a common denominator, don't do it.
>> If you are not sure whether your partner really uses a condom and is using safe contraception: Take additional steps to protect yourself.
>> If you consider condoms, finger cots, leaking cloths and the like to be "turn-offs", find ways to present them in a new and exciting way. Safe sex is sexy, preparation is everything!
HIV prevention: Safer Sex 3.0
>> As an HIV-positive person, you protect your partners by taking HIV therapy. This involves suppressing the multiplication of HIV viruses with the help of medication. You can obtain information about PrEP and TasP from medical specialists, health authorities, AIDS service organizations, checkpoints and sexual health advice centres.
>> The triad of HIV prevention consisting of condoms, PrEP (= pre-exposure prophylaxis) and TasP (= therapy as prevention) offers effective protection against HIV infection.
>> You take PrEP medication on an ad hoc basis to protect yourself from infection
>> Attention: PrEP only protects against infection with HIV! Make sure you get advice on taking PrEP!
Safer sex mishaps
Mishaps can happen during safer sex. First keep calm and consider what risks are/were present; not every safer sex accident carries a high risk of infection. If you are unsure, you can contact an emergency clinic in your area or (best of all) the telephone counseling service of the AIDS help centers in Germany, Tel. +49+180+33.19411
With PEP (=Post-Exposure-Prophylaxis), you can still prevent an infection with HIV with a high probability after an HIV risk contact, if you take HIV medication regularly for 4 weeks. Important: The faster you start, the better the chances of success! Recommended time frames are 2 to 24 hours after the risk of transmission, do not wait longer than 48 hours. PEP is only available on prescription, but can also be issued in an emergency clinic. More information and an overview of Berlin's emergency clinics can be found at mancheck Berlin.
The morning-after pill
helps you to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. You can buy it over the counter at any (emergency) pharmacy. It is more effective the earlier it is used - preferably in the first 24 hours. In any case , get tested for HIV, hepatitis and other STIs 3 months after your safer sex accident - doctors will do this for free!
Rinsecontact points
gently (!) with clean water.
In case of oral contact, use mouth rinse (do not brush teeth!).
STI testing:
>> The only reliable way to find out whether you are infected with an STI is to get tested regularly. This is the only way to protect your partners. Many STIs can also progress without pronounced symptoms. However, the infection can still be transmitted and can also lead to consequential damage to yourself.
>> An HIV/ STI test is recommended at least every 6 months, or every 3 months if you change partners very frequently. If you and your partner only have sex with others very rarely or not at all, it may be sufficient to get tested once a year, as your risk of infection is then low.
>> HIV and STI tests are offered by medical specialists, health authorities, AIDS service organizations, checkpoints and sexual health advice centers. There is also a self-test for home use [more on the DAH info page].
Stay fierce,
stay hot,
stay kinky
-
stay safe!
Info
>> Sex Aware - Information on safer sex & sexual health (German/English) https://www.sex-aware.org
>> Safer sex information from the German AIDS service organization https://www.aidshilfe.de/safer-sex
>> Information from the BZgA on sexually transmitted infections https://www.liebesleben.de/
>> HIV & more information portal https://www.hivandmore.de/
Help and test offers
>> Hotline of the Berliner Aidshilfe for clarifying the risk of STIs and testing options: Phone +30+19411 (daily 12:00-22:00), www.berlin-aidshilfe.de/angebote/anonyme-telefonberatung
>>Telephone adviceservice of the German AIDS service organization: https://www.aidshilfe.de/telefonische-beratung
>> manCheck Berlin - prevention project for men* who have sex with men* https://www.mancheck-berlin.de/
>> GayHealthChat - advice from the AIDS service organization for gay men https://www.gayhealthchat.de/
>> Checkpoint Berlin - testing services for gay/bisexual men*, trans and intersex people (Enbys) https://checkpoint-bln.de/
>> Viropraxis - Berlin practice for infectiological diseases, trans* medicine and sexual health https://www.viropraxis.de/
>> Test it Berlin - testing services for at-risk groups from Fixpunkt e.V. https://www.fixpunkt.org/test-it-berlin/
>> Centers for sexual health of the Berlin health authorities www.berlin-aidshilfe.de/information-aufkl%C3%A4rung/zentren-f%C3%BCr-sexuelle-gesundheit-und-familienplanung
>> FPZ Balance Berlin - advice on abortion and more www.fpz-berlin.de
>> ProFamilia - advice on abortion and more (Germany-wide) https://www.profamilia.de/?id=924
>> Gynformation - list of gynecologists and midwives who treat respectfully https://www.gynformation.de/
HERE YOU CAN FIND ALL INFORMATION
ON OTHER TOPICS
Drug use is never risk-free.
SONAR stands for promoting health and minimising the risks associated with taking drugs.
CREATE A
SAFER PARTY
IMPRINT / DISCLAIMER / FACEBOOK
PHOTOS BY Bobby Rodriguezz @bobrodriguez / Bogdan Glisik @bglisik / Brooke Cagle @brookecagle / Clarisse Meyer @clarissemeyer / Ramy Kabalan @ramykabalan / Christopher Campbell @chrisjoelcampbell / Alexander Antropov
all photos are license-free, taken from pixabay.com and wikimedia.commons
ILLUS, LOGO BY DARIUS GONDOR
HERE YOU CAN FIND ALL INFORMATION
ON OTHER TOPICS
Drug use is never risk-free.
SONAR stands for promoting health and minimising the risks associated with taking drugs.
CREATE A
SAFER PARTY
IMPRINT / DISCLAIMER / FACEBOOK
PHOTOS BY Bobby Rodriguezz @bobrodriguez / Bogdan Glisik @bglisik / Brooke Cagle @brookecagle / Clarisse Meyer @clarissemeyer / Ramy Kabalan @ramykabalan / Christopher Campbell @chrisjoelcampbell / Alexander Antropov
all photos are license-free, taken from pixabay.com and wikimedia.commons
ILLUS, LOGO BY DARIUS GONDOR