A new STD prevention method may well be coming to a drugstore near you.
Researchers at the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) have been working tirelessly on creating a “rectal microbicide” gel that they believe could help prevent the transmission of HIV and other STDs.
Related: Not To Alarm You, But This Interactive Map Shows Per-City STD Rates
According to HIVequal:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
A rectal microbicide is a topical substance, which may come in the form or a lube, anal douche, or a wash, that is being developed and tested to reduce a person’s risk of HIV and other STIs.
Although most research on microbicides has focused on vaginal intercourse, it is reported that anal intercourse increases the risk of HIV infection by as much as 10 to 20 percent. Researchers are now looking at the rectal safety of microbicide gels originally formulated for vaginal sex.
Sounds A-OK to us! But also hardly a reason to give up condoms or stop that essential PrEP regimen. In fact, it probably will be best used in combination with other prevention measures.
Clinical trials are already underway, but so far the application is limited to “rectal microbicide using applicators” (i.e. enemas), which researchers agree are “decidedly unsexy,” so work continues with “scientists, advocates, ethicists, and community members” on finding a less intrusive form of application.
Next on researchers’ agenda is conducting a trial in which couples will “take a microbicide gel and apply it with fingers and penises, and then test to see if enough drug gets to where it needs to go rectally.”
Sounds like our kind of study.
Related: Ten Things HIV-Positive Guys Want Negative Guys To Know
Dylan J. Tate
Sure, make it a rectal gel, when being a BOTTOM is cause for a high potency rate for HIV. Well played, researchers. Well played. Does it come in KY form?
Andrew Danger Mccurdy
oh dont straight women get hiv…
Abdulmajid Abdallah
I need a friend with HIV positive
Rob Laughlin
Another tool in the box to fight hiv is good thing
Amanda Sidney
Christopher Sowers
Craig Shapiro
Battidine kills HIV.
David Alexander King
if it’s in ur butt isnt it too late?
Lloyd Powell
I’ve put you down for the first bucket Jason
Chris Tan
May I use it as a lube and douche?
youarekiddingme
@Lloyd Powell: Don’t worry, he hasn’t had sex (other than dildos) in decades!
Zac Coffey
Ronnie Robertson III
jason smeds
I would never put a foreign substance in my rectum no matter how colorful it is.
jwtraveler
“might”, “could”, “help”
Not words that inspire confidence.
Joe T
Isn’t there already something out there to help prevent the spread of disease: condoms? But I know most guys don’t want to wear them because they can’t possibly get any STDs. It only happens to others. Plus, many just don’t care about their reckless behavior.
Xzamilio
Obviously, you keep it as vague as possible as to its benefits, because any guarantees, and your ass (no pun intended) is held liable when Benny Butt-Blaster’s asshole explodes with some mutated form of herpes.
Robert Dan
I’m just commenting on this so it shows up on my straight friends’ newsfeeds.
People still have issues with dicks. So, this is a nice shock. Guess only the acclimated survive.
bottom250
Ohhh sweethearts this is wonderful
Sweetie Pie
Life is so much easier when you´re a top…
bottom250
@Sweetie Pie: It isn’t as much fun sweetie. Being a bottom is the greatest role a queen can have.
onthemark
I was about to say, Does it have to be BLUE like that? But when I think of any other possible color, the rest are all worse. Green, yuck. Purple, ha ha, no. Yellow, ew, obviously not. Red, no way. Blue has that “official” microbe-killer look one wants in a microbicide!
@bottom250: I used to think your slutty posts were pretty bizarre, but lately I’m finding them to be a bit of a turn-on. You must be a cute little slut.
Robby Chambrella
The gel, or you could stop being a whore.
Jim Pickett
Hi, so great to see interest around a rectal microbicide here. I am the chair of IRMA (International Rectal Microbicide Advocates IRMA – Rectal Microbicide Advocacy) – which is a global advocacy network (not a research group) in support of the research and development of safe, effective, acceptable and accessible rectal microbicides for human beings who have anal sex and want HIV prevention options beyond condoms and beyond PrEP.
R&D activities have been underway for about 20 years (IRMA turned 10 this year) and the U.S. federal government has paid for more than 97% of all scientific endeavors related to rectal microbicide development.
The applicator mentioned in the article has been used to distribute a lube- like gel in several clinical studies.. The fingers and penis study is going to recruit couples to use a similar (or the same) gel/lube without an applicator to see how much of the gel gets to where it needs to go. The value of an applicator is around precise dosing – but yes, they are the opposite of sexy or appealing. And after all, we use fingers and penises to apply lube already – most of us don’t use an applicator!
Other new research includes an effort (led by Johns Hopkins with a $21 million grant) looking at making a douche that is protective. Other projects are looking at different drugs and different formulations.
The important thing is – we need multiple options for HIV prevention. Condoms are great if you use them each and every time you have sex. But many folks don’t use them, don’t like them. PrEP is great but requires a daily routine and may not fit the needs of everyone who is in need of HIV prevention strategies.
There is definitley a need for something that you use before sex (like a douche) or during sex (like a lube) for HIV protection. IRMA plans to keep pushing funders, scientists, and policy makers to keep working on a product men, women, and transgender individuals can use during anal sex.
Clark35
Looks gross but you know the idiots who do it raw on Truvada/prep and tweakers will use it.
Giancarlo85
Truvada, prep, and now this? Another thing people will misuse and abuse in thinking they will be invincible so they can fuck bareback and be reckless sluts.
Maybe stop having so much anal sex and learn how to stop being such a whore.
bottom250
People stop slut shaming people who enjoy sex with different men.
Giancarlo85
Use a condom and stop having sex with so many men.
bottom250
@Giancarlo85: So many men so little time
Giancarlo85
Meh.
I’m starting to wonder if this guy is just a parody to make the rest of us look bad.
Homo Erectus
@ Pope Giancarlo:
No, that would be you!
Giancarlo85
@Homo Erectus: Oh its the hit and run troll bullshit artist again. Where have you been?
bottom250
That best thing to do online and in real life is live a genuine life. Be yourself.
Mr.Tim
You know what slut shaming does? One of two things and neither of them are the answer.
First it can cause anger towards the finger pointers, leading to the “sluts” giving you the finger and saying “fuck off” to your moral superiority. This then can lead to more high risk behaviors.
Second is depression. Being called a slut is no different than being called a faggot, or being ostracized by other gay men for being a nelly queen. These terms are used amongst friends jokingly, with a hint of truth, but when used in this context they’re damaging. As we know suicide is highest among LGBTQ individuals.
There is nothing worse than keyboard jockeys that jump in with their judgment thinking they’re being clever or subversive. Oh wait there is, bitchy keyboard jockeys who place moral judgement and actually believe what they just wrote.
bottom250
@Mr.Tim: Hugs thank you Mr.Tim. You are a true sweetheart
Will Moor
@Giancarlo85: HIV and other STDs only need once to infect you. You don’t have to be a slut for it to happen. If I ever use this stuff, I plan on using it in conjunction with a condom. Not sure if I would ever use PrEP. I considered it once when I almost entered into a relationship with a very lovely HIV positive man, but it didn’t work out for reasons unrelated to his HIV.
martinbakman
Viva the rectal revolution. Gone international. Who knew?
Giancarlo85
@Will Moor: Keep being a slut and you’ll INCREASE your chances of getting it. Sure you’re partially right, but sleep around and you’ll deeply increase your chances. Condoms aren’t perfect either.
@Mr.Tim: Then maybe they shouldn’t engage in such defensive behavior when we’re suggesting them to moderate their own behavior.
Clark35
@Mr.Tim: Then we have trolls/sluts/idiots like you posting BS like that.
McShane
@Clark35: Damn, are your ears burning?
jason smeds
There is no end to the lunacy of the weirdos within the gay community. If it isn’t PreP, it’s a rectal gel. What are they going to come up with next? Disinfectant mouth-wipes for post-oral?
As I said, there are some true weirdos within the gay community.
notevenwrong
@Jim Pickett, thank you for commenting on this very important work. But my impression from the lay press has been that all the trials of vaginal microbicides against HIV in women have had negative results so far. Has there been any recent progress then?