Your health is the most important thing you have. Without it, nothing else really matters. So take precautions to stay healthy and maintain a healthy lifestyle. We know that being gay is not always easy and exposes us to difficult choices. If you know ahead of time what to expect, it will make those decisions easier when they happen. Here are some important reminders:
1. Practice safe sex. Sex is highly emotional, very sensual, and a lot of fun. And that's why we sometimes forget to put it on. Don't let that happen to you! Always wear a condom when having sex with someone who may be HIV positive. Even if they say they are negative, they might not really know. The only way to know for sure is to get tested with your partner after three months of any possible exposure. Short of that, you don't really know their status, so put on a condom. Plus there are a myriad of other STD's that you could get including Hepatitis, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and many others. So think ahead and be prepared. Visit www.gayhealth.com for more health related information.
2. Be careful who you meet. Remember that anyone can create a profile, and you should take precautions when communicating with other members. Do not give out personal information to strangers that you don't trust. If you do decide to meet someone, choose a public place where you can walk away if thing dont go as expected. Don’t worry about offending someone and turning them down, chances are its happened to them before. Your safety is the most important thing you should be concerned about.
3. Stay away from dangerous drugs. The recent escalation of drug use and risky sexual behavior (pnp or party and play) has been the source of a rise in sexually transmitted diseases. Drugs and alcohol both lower your inhibitions and your ability to make sounds decisions. Crystal Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth, Tina, or speed) is very addictive and makes you forget about your own safety. The same goes for Ecstasy, Cocaine, alcohol and many other drugs. Stay away from these drugs altogether. But if do decide to take them, remember that they will make you less able to make sounds decisions. Plan ahead and hold off on sex till another time.
4. Staying healthy. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Eating healthy, getting exercise and a full night's sleep will keep your body's defenses working at their best. If you're lacking any of those three, your immune system may be compromised and less able to fight off diseases. If you do get a sexually transmitted disease, it will make you more vulnerable to catching others. So get treated and stay healthy.
