Reducing the Risk...'Topping' or 'Bottoming'
There’s a difference in risk between being a ‘top’ (active) or being a ‘bottom’ (passive). Here’s why...
The biggest risk comes from infected semen (cum) getting into someone’s anus. The lining of the inside of the anus is delicate and easily torn. It also absorbs liquids (the reason doctors sometimes put medicines inside someone's anus). This absorbent and easily torn anal tissue lining lets HIV (in blood, semen or pre-semen) get through it and into the bloodstream.
Insertive Anal Sex (Topping)
Receptive Anal Sex (Bottoming)
For a complete list of sexual activities and the risks they pose for transmitting HIV or other STDs visit www.aids.gov, risky business web-site. To access it, CLICK HERE
The biggest risk comes from infected semen (cum) getting into someone’s anus. The lining of the inside of the anus is delicate and easily torn. It also absorbs liquids (the reason doctors sometimes put medicines inside someone's anus). This absorbent and easily torn anal tissue lining lets HIV (in blood, semen or pre-semen) get through it and into the bloodstream.
Insertive Anal Sex (Topping)
- "Topping" without a condom is considered a high-risk behavior for transmission of HIV and other STDs.
- Your partner may have sores or other signs of infection in his/her rectum that you can't see. If you have tears or cuts on your penis, HIV can enter your body this way.
- It is possible for blood and other fluids containing HIV to infect the cells in the urethra of your penis.
Receptive Anal Sex (Bottoming)
- The odds of getting HIV from "bottoming" without a condom are higher than any other sexual behavior.
- HIV has been found in pre-cum (pre-ejaculatory fluid), so having your partner pull out before he cums (ejaculates) may not decrease your risk.
- Do not douche before sex. Douching irritates the lining of your rectum and this can increase your risk for getting HIV. If you are concerned about cleanliness, clean the rectum gently, with a soapy finger and water.
- If you are bottoming, always use plenty of water-based lubricant with a latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene condom. This will help to minimize damage to the rectum during sex and to prevent the transmission of STDs (including HIV).
For a complete list of sexual activities and the risks they pose for transmitting HIV or other STDs visit www.aids.gov, risky business web-site. To access it, CLICK HERE
Can an HIV negative man who is ‘active’ get HIV?
Yes. Many have. When his penis goes inside a guy’s anus, it can touch blood or anal mucus, both with HIV in them.
The virus then gets into his bloodstream through the absorbent and easily damaged skin of:
* his foreskin
* the head of his penis
* or through his urethra (the opening in your penis that pee exits)
Yes. Many have. When his penis goes inside a guy’s anus, it can touch blood or anal mucus, both with HIV in them.
The virus then gets into his bloodstream through the absorbent and easily damaged skin of:
* his foreskin
* the head of his penis
* or through his urethra (the opening in your penis that pee exits)
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It’s worth remembering that doing the active role or being a top is how millions of straight men have got infected from women. As a vagina is tougher and less likely to bleed compared to an anus, being active or a top while having sex with a man carries even more risk of getting HIV. TIP Never have anal sex without a condom. Using enemas or douching before anal sex or fisting is not recommended because they remove the mucous lining of the anus which protects against infections. Without this protection getting HIV could be more likely. |
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Tests: Find places where you can get free HIV/STD testing in Wake County.
Condoms: Find places where you can get free condoms in Wake County.
For general information about Wake County’s HIV/STD program and testing, please call 919-250-3950.
Do you have questions about HIV/STDs that you want answered? E-mail questions to: std.program@wakegov.com
To see all other resources in Wake County, North Carolina & the United States, CLICK HERE to return to our resources and links page.
Condoms: Find places where you can get free condoms in Wake County.
For general information about Wake County’s HIV/STD program and testing, please call 919-250-3950.
Do you have questions about HIV/STDs that you want answered? E-mail questions to: std.program@wakegov.com
To see all other resources in Wake County, North Carolina & the United States, CLICK HERE to return to our resources and links page.
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