Preventing HIV, AIDS and STIs =

Sex and U

Barebacking - Unprotected Anal Intercourse

Barebacking is the term used to describe unprotected anal intercourse. It is a practice that is more common in gay and MSM communities, but many heterosexual men also enjoy performing anal penetration on female partners.

There are dangers, especially if you get involved in casual sex with someone you do not know or if the person is HIV positive.  Anal penetration with out a condom and water based lubricant puts you at risk to HIV, AIDS and other sexual transmitted infections as the mucosa of the anus is more fragile to bruising and tearing, than the mucosa of the vagina and mouth. 

HIV/AIDS has had a profound effect on attitudes and sexual behaviors within the gay community in the past. Some of the first reported cases of HIV infection were within the gay community that resulted in a significant loss of life and suffering by those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. So why are more gay men reversing the trend and taking the risk of having unprotected anal intercourse?

Why Risk It?

There are a number of possible reasons. Since the early days of HIV/AIDS, new generations of gay men have grown up with an acceptance of the hazards of unprotected sex.

The potency of the safe sex message has perhaps diminished over time and this has been helped by advances in AIDS treatments.

Another common issue is the condom. Condoms are generally viewed by men as less satisfactory and less pleasurable. There is a perceived lack of spontaneity involved and it can be expensive if you on a limited income.

There is, of course, no risk involved in barebacking if both men know that they are not infected with HIV. It can provide an incentive to remain monogamous when you are both committed to the relationship.

If you bareback with someone who is infected with HIV, some other STI, or hepatitis B and hepatitis C, you are risking your health and ultimately your life. Remember, infected people may appear symptom free so even if your sexual partner looks fit and healthy it can actually mean very little.

Many gay men involved in health-care believe that there are an increasing number of gay's who believe the treatments now available are so effective that HIV and AIDS no longer pose such a risk. The belief that even if you get AIDS it will be not really be that much of a problem to live with is simply not the case. It is true that treatments have improved a lot, but HIV claims the lives of many gay men each year.

People infected with HIV and AIDS are living longer if they have the right drugs and supportive treatments, but there is still no cure. HIV is not one disease. There are a number of different types, more than 10 subtypes in fact, which result in countless strains. If, for example, you catch a second or third strain, it causes what researchers are calling a “super infection”. It dispels the myth that HIV positive partners can have unsafe sex without re-infecting each other.

Is it worth taking a chance with barebacking?

When you're having fun, drinking or partying, the reality of AIDS and the safe sex messages can seem a long way off. You can continue to ignore or dismiss advice and live for today. Maybe you have not had the experience of losing someone close to you, watching their suffering or their death from AIDS, a related disease or liver failure?

Unprotected sex is a form of gambling more akin to Russian roulette. There is really no measure of probability you can apply. You may get away with it, but you may not and the price you pay is a very high one.¹