QUESTION
No matter how safe I am when it comes to sex with men I still worry about STDs, especially HIV. If I have receptive anal sex and the condom is in tact am I still at risk?

ANSWER
When you are the receiving partner in anal sex and your partner has worn a condom the entire time he was in you and it isn't broken afterwards, then you have protected yourself from HIV and many STDs to the best of your ability. If you find yourself particularly anxious, remember that different activities carry different risks. Perhaps being a little creative and trying sexual activities other than anal sex will help put your mind to rest.

We recommend routine STD screenings every 3 months for sexually active men who have sex with other men. It is important to realize that condoms are not 100% protection for certain STDs (syphilis, herpes and HPV) which can be present outside of the area of the penis that a condom covers. The presence of certain STDs (on you or your partner) can greatly increase the risk of HIV transmission or acquisition. This is why regular checkups are so important.

To your health,
Dr. K