I've had cancer in the past four years (Hodgkin's Disease), and as a result my doctor has told
me that my chances of getting prostrate cancer have increased 15 to 25 percent. Are there
any studies that show a relationship between anal sex and an increase in prostate cancer?
I'm just worried that if I participate in anal sex as a recipient that I'm increasing my
chances of getting prostate cancer.
Anal sex when consensual and safe can be a great way to enjoy a relationship. While many people have anal sex, there has been no relationship to prostate cancer. Remember that with new partners, condoms are an effective way to prevent STDs and HIV.
How risky are sex toys?
I've had cancer in the past four years (Hodgkin's Disease), and as a result my doctor has
told me that my chances of getting prostrate cancer have increased 15 to 25 percent. Are there any
studies that show a relationship between anal sex and an increase in prostate cancer? I'm just
worried that if I participate in anal sex as a recipient that I'm increasing my chances of getting
prostate cancer.
Anal sex when consensual and safe can be a great way to enjoy a relationship. While many people have anal sex, there has been no relationship to prostate cancer. Remember that with new partners, condoms are an effective way to prevent STDs and HIV.
Is sex less risky for a top?
I'm a top, and on more than one occasion I've had a bottom express interest in foregoing a condom.
Their argument is, "it's not as risky for the top." Obviously, they're thinking in terms of HIV,
not all the other STDs. Nevertheless, given how the HIV virus is transmitted, clearly it is
"less risky" for the top. But by how much? Negligible? Minimal? Notable? Has anybody even considered that?
Yes, there are a fair amount of data looking at the risk for tops versus bottoms. It's all a numbers game and one that I don't recommend playing. The risk for a bottom may be one in 50, for a top one in 500, but tops definitely do get infected, and the risk is greater if either partner has an STD. Use a condom, learn the status of your partners and we can get hold of this epidemic.
I would like to know if this is a myth -- that bareback sex is less risky for the top than the bottom? Or are both partners at equal risk?
Insertive anal intercourse, that is the top is about 10 times less risky than receptive anal intercourse, or the bottom. An HIV-negative bottom has about a 1 in 50 chance of getting HIV infected after one act of intercourse with an infected partner. As a top, that chance is about 1 in 500. Using condoms cuts that risk down substantially. STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and herpes can increase the risk in either partner. A good way to prevent HIV is to get regular STD check-ups and make sure your partners do the same.
Kissing and mutual masturbation
I had a sexual encounter with a guy. We kissed and engaged in mutual masturbation -- we held each
other's cocks, we rubbed our cocks together and even had cum on our hands. Am I at risk of getting
HIV or any other disease?
It is very rare that STDs like herpes or genital warts are transmitted via mutual masturbation. What you describe is generally considered to be safer sex and carries a very, very low risk for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis.
It is always nice to know you don't have any STDs, so it can't hurt to get regular STD
checkups every six months if you're sexually active.
What STDs are generally transmitted through kissing?
It is very rare to transmit STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis through kissing. Likely the only STD that can be transmitted by kissing is herpes -- the one that gives blisters or fever sores on the lip. Other than that, go ahead kiss away.
If I make out with a stranger (or perhaps two) every weekend, should I get tested for HIV?
The risk of HIV from kissing is very, very, very, very, very, low and likely zero. Saliva has natural anti-HIV factors that inhibit the virus. If kissing were an efficient means of HIV transmission, we'd see a lot more HIV in family members, children and other "low-risk" groups. Granted, they don't deep-tongue kiss, but we know that sex, injection drug equipment sharing and transfusions are the only ways HIV is transmitted.
I like mutual masturbation. I also have dry skin areas on my hands from washing them often at work. These areas can become raw but not to the point of bleeding. How dangerous is it to have cum on my hands in this condition?
I assume you mean dangerous in terms of viruses like hepatitis B or herpes, because there have been zero reported cases of HIV from skin exposure to semen. Hepatitis B and other viruses like wart viruses have been transmitted this way. Get the hepatitis shots and you won't have to worry about that, at least.
If limiting contact to kissing and mutual masturbation, is there much risk for any STDs? If yes, which ones?
Without any oral-genital contact, the risk of STDs is very, very low. You can consider this very safe sex. I think there is one report of trichomoniasis being transmitted from mutual masturbation between women, but I have not heard about that in men. There is some risk for HPV -- genital wart virus -- from mutual masturbation, too.
I've started meeting people for sex, but have not done much other than getting oral, kissing, j/o, touching and just playing around with "simulated" anal, but without insertion. How often should I get checked for STDs and where?
A good start in an STD check up is talking to your doctor about your sexual practices. The full-court screen includes chlamydia and gonorrhea tests of the throat; urine or urethral tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea as well; rectal tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia if a person has had anal sex in the past six months and then blood tests for herpes, syphilis and HIV, if at risk. This is all after a physical examination where the doctor checks the penis, lymph nodes and testicles as well as the anus for sores, lesions, rashes, lumps, bumps or warts. City Clinic in San Francisco (www.dph.sf.ca.us/sfcityclinic) provides these exams for a small donation or free. Your tax money at work! Or look for your local Department of Public Health. There are clinics in most major cities.