MEN'S SEXUAL HEALTH

HIV shouldn’t stop you from having a sex life. This page explains how an HIV diagnosis may affect sexual health or sex drive and provides information to help you make informed lifestyle choices for you and your relationships.

It is important to know that if on effective treatment, you can enjoy lifelong good health without passing the virus to partners. By having an ‘undetectable’ viral load – which means the amount of virus in your blood is so low that it is considered ‘undetectable’ – the virus cannot be passed on during sex. Whether you are a straight, gay or bisexual man you can still enjoy a healthy sex life.

To help you plan for your next appointment, go to What To Ask for tips and downloadable questions.

Scroll down to learn more about HIV, sexual health and commonly asked questions.


HIV and sex

HIV AND SEX

CAN I STILL HAVE SEX?

Yes. Sex can be enjoyed just as much after HIV diagnosis as it was before, with either long- or short-term partners. To enjoy sex without anxiety there are a few things that should be considered.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT OTHERS FROM HIV?

For it to be as safe as possible for your partner to not wear a condom, the following three provisions are essential:

  • You take combination HIV medication as prescribed
  • You have had an undetectable HIV viral load for at least six months
  • Both you and your partner are free from other STIs

If you haven’t started HIV treatment you should make sure you wear a condom during sex.

SHOULD I WEAR A CONDOM?

If the three provisions listed are followed, it is you and your partner’s choice to decide whether to use condoms.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A CONDOM?

Condoms are the best way to protect you and your partner from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This includes bacterial infections like gonorrhoea or viruses such as herpes.

When both partners have HIV using condoms may not be front of mind, but there are considerations aside from other STIs or hepatitis C virus:

  • Your partner may have a resistant strain of HIV that your HIV medication does not protect you against
  • There are two types of HIV which are found within different communities: HIV ‘type 1’ and ‘type 2’. Although type 2 is rare, it is important to check that you both have the same type
Should I tell my partner?

SHOULD I TELL MY PARTNER?

There are many benefits in talking to your partner about your HIV status:

  • You and your partner can make informed choices about sexual activities
  • Being open and honest can do wonders to promote better emotional health
  • Often, the reactions from those who you tell can be more positive than you may have thought
  • There may be a legal requirement in your country to disclose your status
  • One thing you (and they) may not realise is that if you’re on effective treatment and have an undetectable viral load, the likelihood of you passing on HIV to others is significantly reduced
  • If you’re newly diagnosed, you may wish to advise recent sexual partners to take an HIV test

Are there any negatives?

  • It is helpful to think about the different reactions partners may have to hearing about your HIV diagnosis
  • Hopefully your partner will be supportive but it's always possible that they may react negatively
  • They may not be aware that if you're on effective HIV medication and your HIV viral load is undetectable, the likelihood of you passing on HIV is significantly reduced
  • If your situation is particularly difficult and you’re concerned about domestic problems or violence, you should talk to your healthcare team about specialist guidance or support available to help you make your decision or manage negative reactions
Stay safe with chemsex

STAY SAFE WITH CHEMSEX

WHAT IS CHEMSEX?

ChemSex is a term used to describe having sex usually with multiple partners whilst taking recreational drugs (chemicals or chems), such as crystal meth, MDMA, ecstasy or cocaine. It is a term more commonly used in the gay and bisexual community.

HOW CAN I STAY PROTECTED?

As well using condoms to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it is recommended for you to use your own, clean needles if you do inject drugs. This can help to prevent diseases such as hepatitis C. Hepatitis C can live outside of the body for up to 4 days. What this means is unclean needles or sex toys (even if blood isn’t visible on them) can carry the infection.

Ask your healthcare team if there are specialist services available to talk about staying protected during ChemSex.

Can HIV affect my sex drive?

CAN HIV AFFECT MY SEX DRIVE?

Possibly, but sex drive changes are common amongst people with or without HIV for reasons entirely unrelated to HIV. It is also more common as you age.

It doesn’t affect everyone living with HIV, however, HIV can increase the likelihood in the following ways:

  • Advanced HIV infection may cause lower testosterone levels in the body, which can affect sex drive and erections
  • An HIV diagnosis can often be stressful; stress can have an impact on sex drive and ability to get an erection

If you are concerned about changes to your sex drive or sexual performance, speak to your healthcare team for advice.

Quick Quiz
To be more confident that you won’t pass on HIV to others you should have an undetectable HIV viral load for at least…

Incorrect

Correct

6
TIPS
TO LOOK AFTER YOUR HEALTH
  1. Use condoms to protect yourself and others from STIs
  2. Attend regular sexual health check-ups
  3. Ask you healthcare team
    About how to tell partners you're HIV positive
  4. Be open and honest with your healthcare team about your sex life
  5. Cut down on using recreational drugs or drinking excessive alcohol
    Which can increase the likelihood of taking risks during sex
  6. If using recreational drugs
    Find out where to get clean needles and learn about injecting safely