For The Many
Sexual HEALTH INFO BY Prepster
DLPlugLondon teamed up with Prepster to bring you this information, because we believes it is important for our members to have good sexual health.
Good sexual health is more than just preventing disease; it’s about our wellbeing and having a positive approach to sex. We want you to have the sex you want, when you want, how you want and with who you want.This page outlines all the things you need to have sex which is good, safe and healthy for you and your partners.
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Consent
Sexual consent is actively agreeing to participate in sex. Before having sex with anyone, you need to know that they want to have sex with you too. That includes if someone is high or drunk, someone cannot consent to sex if they are unconscious – even if they gave consent at the start. It is very important to be completely open and honest with whatever you want to do and don’t want to do, as giving and asking for consent sets boundaries and respect between sexual partners.
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HIV
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and attacks and weakens the immune system. People living with HIV on effective treatment cannot pass HIV on. The only way to know if you have HIV is to have an HIV test, as symptoms may not appear for many years. If you think you might have HIV getting tested and treated will help you stay healthy and well.
To learn more about HIV, symptoms, causes, treatment, and more, go here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/
Testing for HIV
HIV tests are free and easy to do. Tests are available through NHS sexual health clinics, some other health centres (including GPs), and through the post.
To learn how often you should test, what different tests are available, where to go to test, go here: https://www.gmfa.org.uk/hiv-testing
To order a free and confidential HIV and STI kit delivered to a London address of your choice, visit: https://www.bp.shl.uk (Available in all London boroughs apart from Greenwich, Croydon, Hillingdon and Hounslow.)
Outside of London, you may be eligible for a free postal test from:
For why black men need to test go here:
https://www.gmfa.org.uk/mehimus-black-gay-men-why-we-need-to-test
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PrEP
PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It’s a pill taken before and after sex that stops someone who doesn’t have HIV from getting it. It’s the same type of pill taken by someone living with HIV to treat HIV. It can be taken daily or around a specific sex event. PrEP is almost 100% effective if it is taken as prescribed.
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To learn about PrEP and how to get it go to: https://prepster.info/prep-faqs/
PrEP is currently only available for free in England through clinical trials. Thousands of people who are not on those trials buy their PrEP from online pharmacies. If you’re thinking of buying PrEP online, here’s how to do it safely:
https://prepster.info/buying-prep-online/
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Treatment as Prevention (TasP)/Undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U)
PrEP prevents HIV and so does HIV treatment. People living with HIV on effective treatment cannot pass on HIV. The treatment reduces the amount of HIV in the body. This both keeps the person with HIV healthy and makes it impossible to pass HIV on so long as the pills are taken every day.
To find out more, go here:
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PEP
PEP stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. It's a course of medication taken if someone who doesn't have HIV has been exposed to HIV during sex (e.g. if a condom wasn't used or broke. The course lasts 28 days and should be started within 72 hours of being at risk.
To learn about PEP and how to get it, go to:
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Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STI's) are passed on from one person to another during sex. Most STIs are easily treated, and it's possible to get vaccinated agains some of them. Regular STI check-ups will ensure that STIs are treated quickly, do less damage to your health, and are less likely to be passed on to sexual partners.
To know why you should get tested, where you can get tested, how you can treat an STI and more, go here: https://www.gmfa.org.uk/about-stis
To order a free and confidential HIV and STI kit delivered to a London address of your choice, visit: https://www.bp.shl.uk (Available in all London boroughs apart from Greenwich, Croydon, Hillingdon and Hounslow.)
Outside of London, you may be eligible for a free postal test from:
For why black men need to test go here:
https://www.gmfa.org.uk/mehimus-black-gay-men-why-we-need-to-test
To find out info about all STIs and how to maintain good sexual health, go here: https://www.gmfa.org.uk/Pages/Category/stis
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Condoms
PrEP, TasP and condoms all prevent HIV. Condoms are an effective way to reduce the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted infections, if used correctly and consistently.
To learn about where to get them, how to use them, effectiveness, the importance of different sizes, lubricants and more, go to:
https://prepster.info/rubbster/
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Vaccinations
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways we have of preventing disease. A vaccination will protect you for several years, and sometimes for life, against an infection, including some infections that can be easily passed on when condoms are used. It’s recommended that men who have sex with men are vaccinated for HPV (the warts virus), and hepatitis A and B.
To learn what vaccines are available for sexually transmitted infections, and more go to: https://prepster.info/vaxster/