October 2018 Issue #12 October 2018 Issue #12

Drugs and chems . Some men use drugs to enable them to enjoy anal sex more. Using drugs may reduce the user’s judgement, abilities and inhibitions, so that they do things on drugs that they wouldn’t normally consider. Drugs can also lead to longer and more intense sex ses- sions, which can cause condoms to break if there are not changed regularly, or make the transmission of HIV and other STIs more likely if condoms aren’t used. Poppers (amyl/butyl nitrite) is a common drug used during sex and it can increase the pulse rate, cause dizziness and relax involuntary muscles – especially the blood vessel walls and the anal sphincter. Poppers has been linked with an increased risk of HIV transmission when used by a negative guy being fucked by a positive guy without a condom [4]. This may be because poppers can cause the blood vessels in your arse to dilate, which gives the virus a better chance of getting into the bloodstream. It may also be linked to the fact that poppers can relax the arse muscles making it easier for some men to get fucked, and for longer. You should never use poppers in combination with Viagra or other anti-impotence drugs as their interaction can cause heart attacks. Ketamine is also used by some men for sex and it belongs to a class of drugs called ‘dissociative anaesthetics’, which separate perception from sensation. Other drugs in this category include PCP, DXM and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Other drugs used during sex include: GHB, ecstasy, grass/hash, coke, crack, crystal meth, Valium and Xanax. Know your limits Setting boundaries for yourself allows you to be in control of the sex you have. If you are confident in what you are and are not prepared to do, it will be easier to stick to the sex you want and ensure that the sex is as safe as you want it to be. As well as knowing your sexual boundaries, there are physical limitations you need to consider too, to avoid any damage to your arse. With time and experience, some men enjoy taking large objects (like big dildos or fists) up their arses, but there is a limit. Anything that goes up your arse has to go through the pelvic opening, which is about four to five inches across in diameter. Anything bigger than that will probably cause serious dam- age if you do manage to get it in. 30

October 2018 Issue #12 October 2018 Issue #12 | Page 30