This facilitator manual has been developed as part of the Anova Health Institute’s model of institutionalising competence related to men who have sex with men (MSM) within the public health sector, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH).
Ongoing prevention messages regarding consistent use of condoms and water-based lube are essential but you might forget that you have other options available, depending on your unique needs.
While consistent use of condoms remain your best defence against HIV and other sexually transmitted infection (STIs), evidence has emerged that some water-based lubricants may be harmful to your rectum. This applies equally to top-of-the-range, expensive imported brands and locally manufactured lubricants.
These findings emerged when researchers trying to develop rectal microbicides started poking around and asking questions about the effects of sexual lubricants on the mucosal lining of the rectum.
