Wake Up To The Facts

Author Unknown

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

Whether you have anal sex, neo-vaginal sex, vaginal sex, oral sex - any sex. Whether you are the insertive partner, receptive partner, active, passive or both. The most reliable way to reduce the risk of coming into contact with the H.I.V. / AIDS virus and other infectious diseases during sex, is to use condoms, gloves and dental dams. Safer Sex: A Fact of Life!

Hair Removal

If you shave or wax your body or pubic hair, be careful of cuts and scraping. Cover any cuts and abrasions before sex and never allow anyone's body fluids (blood, semen or vaginal fluids) on damaged skin. Be particularly careful if you shave your pubic hair, legs, chest or armpits and then engage in "trick sex" (having intercourse between closed thighs or under armpits etc.)

Needles

Some people may use syringes/needles for hormone injections. H.I.V. and other dangerous viruses including hepatitis can hitch a ride in a shared needle or syringe. If you inject your own hormones or help friends with theirs, keep a clean supply and never share needles or syringes.

Needles and syringes are available from the Gender Centre exchange program. They stock correct size needles and syringes for the administration of hormones and for intravenous drug use.

Needles and syringes can also be obtained from many chemists as part of their exchange programs for a small fee. Many community health centres and agencies provide needle exchange so ring your local drug information service for their location.

Taping, Strapping and Tucking

If you are taping, strapping or tucking you could create a warm moist area leading to skin disorders, chaffing and dermatitis. Removing tape roughly could result in damaged/broken skin. Any of these increase the risk of the virus penetrating your skin during sex, particularly if you get someone else's body fluids onto that region as might happen from unprotected "trick" sex. So:

• always use condoms;
• try to keep these areas as dry and clean as possible (unscented sterilised talcum powder may help) and let them breath a bit when you're in private; and
• Remember tape carefully and remove any traces of adhesive with something gentle and soothing like eucalyptus oil.

Surgery

If you have recently undergone any surgery that has involved any areas of your body that may be exposed to body fluids during sex, then be sure to cover the area until your skin has completely healed.

Douching

If you have a neo-vagina (created through surgery), a natural vagina or engage in receptive anal intercourse you may practice douching to keep these passages clean. Douching weakens the lining of the anal passage or vagina and removes friendly bacteria and mucous, exposing the porous membranes (surface skin lining) and increasing the risk of H.I.V. transmission and the risk of contracting general infections.

The practice of frequent douching is generally discouraged by health workers. If you feel you must douche for personal comfort, then it should only be practiced 2-3 times a week at most.

If you have a vagina then it is best to try and keep it slightly acidic as this will minimise the damage to friendly bacteria, while discouraging infections. This can be achieved by using a product called aci-gel that can be bought at the chemist. Use about 1 third to a quarter of an applicator 2 times a week. If you continue to douche, try to maintain the acidity by using a mixture of warm water and vinegar (one part vinegar to 10 parts water).

Remember douching and gels are not an alternative for safe sex. Only condoms can protect you during intercourse from the H.I.V. virus and other sexually transmissible infections.

Douche equipment should never be shared without thorough cleaning between uses. If you have an offensive smelling vagina then see a doctor rather than douche. Doctors who work in women's health, for example through Family Planning N.S.W. have experience in vaginal care.

Who can you talk to about the H.I.V. / AIDS virus? If you have any concerns or questions about H.I.V. / AIDS, contact the Community Worker at the Gender Centre (02) 9569 2366, Monday to Friday 10:00am to 5:30pm.

Other agencies that may be of assistance include:

• AIDS Councils;
• Sexual Health Clinics;
• Family Planning Centres; and
• Private Doctors.

Polare is published in Australia by The Gender Centre Inc. which is funded by the Department of Community Services under the S.A.A.P. Program and supported by the N.S.W. Health Department through the AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch. Polare provides a forum for discussion and debate on gender issues. Advertisers are advised that all advertising is their responsibility under the Trade Practices Act. Unsolicited contributions are welcome, though no guarantee is made by the Editor that they will be published, nor any discussion entered into. The editor reserves the right to edit such contributions without notification. Any submission which appears in Polare may be published on our internet site. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, The Gender Centre Inc.I, the Department of Community Services or the N.S.W. Department of Health.