Sex With HIV: Can I Still Have Sex If I Have HIV?

Follow these five safe-sex practices if you or your partner are living with HIV.

You can have sex if you are HIV-positive. And guess what else? You deserve to!

Living with HIV can’t stop you from leading a happy and fulfilling life. You can still have fun with your partner(s) by following a few extra steps to stop the spread of HIV. 

There are many ways you can have sex with HIV — including: 

Using Protection

If you’re hooking up, rubber up. Condoms and dental dams stop the spread of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia and gonorrhea, semen, vaginal fluid, and rectal fluid. No matter if you’re having oral, anal or vaginal sex, using condoms is a must, especially if you don’t have an undetectable viral load. 

A dental dam is a latex sheet that can be used between the mouth, vagina or anus during oral sex. Dental dams protect against STIs such as syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, and HIV. 

If you plan to have oral sex, use a dental dam. Like condoms, they come in different colors and flavors. 

Starting HIV Treatment 

Although there’s no cure for HIV, HIV treatment can reduce and control the amount of HIV in your body to help you reach an undetectable HIV status. The most common form of HIV treatment is antiretroviral therapy (ART)

Starting ART as soon as possible and as prescribed after receiving a positive HIV diagnosis can slow the progression of HIV to the point where your viral load becomes undetectable. Reaching an undetectable status means the amount of HIV in your body is lowered, which also lowers the risk for you to pass HIV to a partner through sex. 

Staying PrEPared

PrEP, short for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is an HIV prevention method for people who are not yet HIV positive but are at a higher risk of getting HIV. PrEP is used to prevent the spread of HIV through unprotected sex or injection drug use, and can only be prescribed by a health care provider

If your partner is HIV-negative, encourage them to get tested and start using PrEP, so you can enjoy fun, safe sex with peace of mind. 

Getting Tested for STIs

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) spread from one person to another through any kind of sex – anal, vaginal or oral. No HIV treatment can protect you against STIs. The only way to stop the spread of STIs is to use condoms or dental dams.

Talk to your partner about getting tested for STIs. Remember: The goal is to have enjoyable sex while protecting yourself and your sexual partners. 

Take control of HIV today – whether you’re positive or negative. Visit TakeControlHIV.com for more information and resources on HIV and STIs, testing and more. 

A voice for the transmasculine community

by | Nov 13, 2023 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

Sybastian Smith – Organizer, decision maker and advocate for transgender HIV+ healthcare “If we don’t care for our most marginalized communities, we’re no stronger than...

“I’M NOT HIV”

by | Oct 19, 2023 | Individual Health | 0 Comments

Host, HIV Advocate – Johneri’O Scott shares how to learn to love yourself and your status “I wish more people understood that your status doesn’t define you, you define...

melissa strype image

Let’s Talk about Sex: Melissa Strype

by | Jul 18, 2023 | HIV | 0 Comments

Comedian and sex educator shares her tips for STD testing Sexual health educator by day and comedian by night, Melissa Strype’s unique approach to taboo topics has...

testing day

Duck HIV and celebrate National HIV Testing Day by knowing your status

by | Jun 27, 2023 | HIV | 0 Comments

15 questions to ask when getting tested We get it – it can be scary talking about your sexual life with others or your medical provider. But it doesn't have to...

TCHIV Pride

We see you, we celebrate you: Pride Month 2023

by | Jun 1, 2023 | HIV | 0 Comments

This Pride Month join the fight against HIV! June is Pride Month – a time to celebrate the diversity, activism, culture, and accomplishments of the LGBTQIA+ community...

Your mental health matters!

Your mental health matters!

by | May 1, 2023 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

Manage your mental health while living with HIV May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Mental health, like HIV, has a stigma around it which can discourage people from...

How to be an HIV ally

How to be an HIV ally

by | May 1, 2023 | HIV | 0 Comments

The dos and don’ts to creating a safer space for people living with HIV Sharing a positive HIV diagnosis takes incredible courage. People living with HIV need an...

Thinking about getting tested? 4 reasons why you should

by | Apr 28, 2023 | Individual Health | 0 Comments

Why do I need to test for HIV? If you’re sexually active, regular STI testing should be a part of your sexual health. HIV stigma frames HIV testing as shameful but...

How to talk to your parents about HIV testing

How to talk to your parents about HIV testing

by | Apr 7, 2023 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – April 10 As we celebrate National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on April 10, it’s important to discuss this generation’s...