Do you feel that with the new norm of condom free porn that you are pressured to go sans condoms?

[Juan Vancouver]

But Juan, is it worth the small risk of contracting HIV even when on PrEP?

 

I almost always agree with you. This time I'm not so sure.

 

Read this carefully:

 

If you take PREP correctly, some researchers contend you are even safer than if you are sticking to condoms when it comes to HIV.

 

So the question you should be asking is more like this:

 

"Is having sex with other human beings worth it even with all the risks this brings with it?"

 

Of course, the answer to this will never be a universally correct answer. For some, it is worth it, for some it isn't. For some who choose to take PREP rigorously, the risks of having condom-less sex is worth it. For some, they believe that using condoms will make the risk worth it.

 

If you read my posts carefully I didn't say that I am doing bareback, or charging more for it, I didn't say people should do it. I said that for some, who are already going that path, the risk analysis has made them realize this is worth it. I for one, wholeheartedly respect their choice and celebrate it when they are honest and rational about it. I wrote that with what we currently know, it is a perfectly rational choice to go on PREP and enjoy bareback sex if that is what you are into. You might catch more STI's more often, but again, that is the risk you are taking.

 

At this moment I am not looking into switching to condomless sex. As I wrote, my income depends on my being able to minimize the risk of anything transmittable as much as I can, so I will stick to condoms.

 

What others do, is entirely their choice. And I have to respect it, especially if they are well informed, well thought out and honest about it.

 

I honour you might disagree with it, and I have to respect your opinion. I respect your ability to make your own choices.

[+ Lance_Navarro]

Read this carefully:

 

If you take PREP correctly, some researchers contend you are even safer than if you are sticking to condoms when it comes to HIV.

 

So the question you should be asking is more like this:

 

"I having sex with other human beings worth it even with all the risks this brings with it?"

 

Of course, the answer to this will never be a universally correct answer. For some, it is worth it, for some it isn't. For some who choose to take PREP rigorously, the risks of having condom-less sex is worth it. For some, they believe that using condoms will make the risk worth it.

 

If you read my posts carefully I didn't say that I am doing bareback, or charging more for it, I didn't say people should do it. I said that for some, who are already going that path, the risk analysis has made them realize this is worth it. I for one, wholeheartedly respect their choice and celebrate it when they are honest and rational about it. I wrote that with what we currently know, it is a perfectly rational choice to go on PREP and enjoy bareback sex if that is what you are into. You might catch more STI's more often, but again, that is the risk you are taking.

 

At this moment I am not looking into switching to condomless sex. As I wrote, my income depends on my being able to minimize the risk of anything transmittable as much as I can, so I will stick to condoms.

 

What others do, is entirely their choice. And I have to respect it, especially if they are well informed, well thought out and honest about it.

 

I honour you might disagree with it, and I have to respect your opinion. I respect your ability to make your own choices.

 

Much love for you hun! Mwah!!!

[sincitymix]

That's the problem, you don't KNOW if the person is following the Prep regimen. Are you watching them as they take the pill as scheduled, every night? Okay, so they miss a dose or two.. do we know how long the chemical ingredient stays in the system? 2 days? 7 days? 2 weeks? How effective is the active ingredient missing doses over the span of lets say 2 weeks? are you the unlucky one that happens to get the load when the active ingredient is non effective based on the active number of days in the system, and the virus has started to surge in levels again? Its a lot to think about before one decides to BB.. Would i trust someones word that they are on Prep and have never missed a dose? Id take it with a grain of salt.

[down_to_business]

That's the problem, you don't KNOW if the person is following the Prep regimen. Are you watching them as they take the pill as scheduled, every night? Okay, so they miss a dose or two.. do we know how long the chemical ingredient stays in the system? 2 days? 7 days? 2 weeks? How effective is the active ingredient missing doses over the span of lets say 2 weeks? are you the unlucky one that happens to get the load when the active ingredient is non effective based on the active number of days in the system, and the virus has started to surge in levels again? Its a lot to think about before one decides to BB.. Would i trust someones word that they are on Prep and have never missed a dose? Id take it with a grain of salt.

 

Of course all you can control is yourself, so as long as you are following the regimen and he "claims" to be following the regimen by all appearances you should be relatively safe. If you are solely relying on one party (the escort) to be the only one responsible for following the regimen, then yes, you could likely be opening yourself up to trouble.

 

It all comes down to what risks you are willing to assume. Take PrEP, wear condoms, practice monogamy, practice celibacy... only you can decide what is right for you.

 

https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/prevention/reduce-your-risk/sexual-risk-factors/index.html

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/hivrisk/

[Juan Vancouver]

That's the problem, you don't KNOW if the person is following the Prep regimen. Are you watching them as they take the pill as scheduled, every night? Okay, so they miss a dose or two.. do we know how long the chemical ingredient stays in the system? 2 days? 7 days? 2 weeks? How effective is the active ingredient missing doses over the span of lets say 2 weeks? are you the unlucky one that happens to get the load when the active ingredient is non effective based on the active number of days in the system, and the virus has started to surge in levels again? Its a lot to think about before one decides to BB.. Would i trust someones word that they are on Prep and have never missed a dose? Id take it with a grain of salt.

 

NEVER take anyone's word for it when it comes to THEM taking PREP. This is not relevant at all. When it comes to EVERY SINGLE partner you have to assume they are freshly seroconverted at the height of their contagious peak.

 

PREP is not to be used by the other.

 

YOU have to either take PREP correctly, or use condoms, or be monogamous or celibate. It is YOU who does the control, never your partner.

 

NEVER share your body's health responsibility!

 

I don't care if he tells me he is taking a double dose of PREP for a year and that he has the gene that makes him invulnerable to HIV and that God himself touched him with his middle finger. I TAKE CONTROL. I take actions. I don't trust.

 

I am an adult, damn it!

 

An adult doesn't pass the buck on his responsibility to others.

[LADoug1]

NEVER take anyone's word for it when it comes to THEM taking PREP. This is not relevant at all. When it comes to EVERY SINGLE partner you have to assume they are freshly seroconverted at the height of their contagious peak.

 

PREP is not to be used by the other.

 

YOU have to either take PREP correctly, or use condoms, or be monogamous or celibate. It is YOU who does the control, never your partner.

 

NEVER share your body's health responsibility!

 

I don't care if he tells me he is taking a double dose of PREP for a year and that he has the gene that makes him invulnerable to HIV and that God himself touched him with his middle finger. I TAKE CONTROL. I take actions. I don't trust.

 

I am an adult, damn it!

 

An adult doesn't pass the buck on his responsibility to others.

Thanks Juan. Another great insightful post.

[LADoug1]

Thanks Lance. Makes me more knowledgeable about PrEP vs. the use of condoms.

[+ Eric Hassan]

Just as an aside, for anyone looking for more information on PrEP, I recommend the "PrEP Facts" group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/PrEPFacts/). This group was started by my best friend, Damon Jacobs, and has been around for a couple of years. It's an excellent resource for factual information, links to research, help with healthcare access, and social support. It's an internationally recognized resource - it's been mentioned in the Advocate, NY Times, and other media outlets. The group was so notable that Damon has been invited to speak at CROI and several other HIV/AIDS-related conferences. Yes, I'm biased in my recommendation, but it's quite an amazing resource.