‘It's like the treasure’: beliefs associated with semen among young HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative gay men

Schilder, Arn J.; Orchard, Treena; Buchner, Christopher S.; Miller, Mary Lou; Fernandes, Kim A.; Hogg, Robert S.; Strathdee, Steffanie A.

doi:10.1080/13691050802183899

Cited by 25 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…For example, 80% of men who reported being solely in the insertive sexual role prior to PCa treatment were no longer in that role posttreatment. In addition, prior research has documented the cultural significance among gay men around the eroticization of ejaculate and semen [31]. The lack of ejaculate posttreatment may also factor into lower HRQOL levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Sexual Roles and Quality of Life for Gay Men after Prostate Cancer: Challenges for Sexual Health Providers

Hart

Coon

Kowalkowski

et al. 2014

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

102

126

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Introduction Gay men with prostate cancer (GMPCa) may have differential health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and sexual health outcomes than heterosexual men with prostate cancer (PCa), but existing information is based on clinical experience and small studies. Aims Our goals were to: (i) describe HRQOL and examine changes in sexual functioning and bother; (ii) explore the psychosocial aspects of sexual health after PCa; and (iii) examine whether there were significant differences on HRQOL and sexual behavior between GMPCa and published norms. Methods A convenience sample of GMPCa completed validated disease-specific and general measures of HRQOL, ejaculatory function and bother, fear of cancer recurrence, and satisfaction with prostate cancer care. Measures of self-efficacy for PCa management, illness intrusiveness, and disclosure of sexual orientation were also completed. Where possible, scores were compared against published norms. Main Outcome Measures Main outcome measures were self-reported sexual functioning and bother on the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index. Results Compared with norms, GMPCa reported significantly worse functioning and more severe bother scores on urinary, bowel, hormonal symptom scales (Ps < 0.015–0.0001), worse mental health functioning (P < 0.0001), greater fear of cancer recurrence (P < 0.0001), and were more dissatisfied with their PCa medical care. However, GMPCa reported better sexual functioning scores (P < 0.002) compared with norms. Many of the observed differences met criteria for clinical significance. Physical functioning HRQOL and sexual bother scores were similar to that of published samples. GMPCa tended to be more “out” about their sexual orientation than other samples of gay men. Conclusions GMPCa reported substantial changes in sexual functioning after PCa treatment. They also reported significantly worse disease-specific and general HRQOL, fear of recurrence, and were less satisfied with their medical care than other published PCa samples. Sexual health providers must have an awareness of the unique functional and HRQOL differences between gay and heterosexual men with PCa.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Sexual Roles and Quality of Life for Gay Men after Prostate Cancer: Challenges for Sexual Health Providers

Hart

Coon

Kowalkowski

et al. 2014

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

102

126

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“…We enrolled all 12 HIV seroconverters diagnosed in the cohort, along with 12 men matched by age, as described previously (Schilder et al 2008). This selection strategy was intended to ensure that our findings would not be biased by imbalances in age or serostatus and enabled a contrast between HIV seroconverters and men who remained HIV-negative in the anticipation of exposing differences in factors that inform the health risks among MSM.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insert Discourse: Rectal Douching Among Young HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men in Vancouver, Canada

Schilder

Orchard

Buchner

et al. 2010

Sexuality & Culture

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Douching is a common practice among certain groups of women and MSM, and it is conducted for the purpose of cleanliness as part of bodily hygiene maintenance. Although there has been considerable research about female vaginal douching, understandings of rectal douching (RD) for MSM are limited. In the epidemiological and medical literature, RD is presented as a behaviour that removes beneficial bacteria and the surface epithelium layer of the colon, which can, potentially, increase the risk of HIV transmission in MSM. The paucity of research on male douching practices is curious given the primacy of anal sex in HIV prevention initiatives and the widespread nature of rectal douching among this population. This paper provides preliminary data on RD and is intended to engender a dialogue about male douching and the need for additional research into the cultural construction of the body among MSM, namely with respect to the anus. Findings were derived from qualitative interviews with 12 young HIV-positive men who had recently become HIV-infected and 12 HIV-negative age-matched counterparts who were participating in a prospective cohort study. Beliefs about RD differed

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“…The reasons for the exchange of semen during sexual activity among members of this population have not been investigated, therefore an explanation for this practice cannot be provided. Until future studies are conducted that examine this phenomenon, it is unknown if the exchange of semen among members of this population is related to intimacy, pleasure, or affirmation of identity (Schilder et al, 2008).…”

Section: Directions For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The exchange of semen is asso ciated with intimacy, identity, and pleasure. This exchange of bodily fluids is viewed as a cultural construct of sexuality in the MSM community (Schilder et al, 2008) and is influenced by perceived levels of risk, gratification, and safety (Vincke, Bolton, & De Vleeschouwer, 2001). …”

Section: Contact With Body Fluidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Do the Sexual Behaviors of Foreign-Born Hispanic Men Who Have Sex With Men Differ by Relationship Status?

Santis

2011

Am J Mens Health

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High-risk sexual behaviors may result in acquisition of sexually transmitted infections including HIV. Hispanic men who have sex with men (MSM) experience a disproportionate incidence of these infections. Various risk factors, cultural aspects, and relationship factors may influence the sexual behaviors of this subgroup of MSM. The purpose of this study was to describe the sexual behaviors of a sample of foreign-born Hispanic MSM and to compare these sexual behaviors in terms of condom usage, risky sexual behaviors, avoidance of body fluids, and sexual negotiation when stratified by relationship status. Using a cross-sectional, descriptive research design, a convenience sample of 135 foreign-born Hispanic MSM, the majority of whom were Cubans, was recruited and surveyed from the South Florida area. The majority of participants reported engaging in the high-risk sexual behaviors of sex without condoms, substance abuse before or during sex, anal sex, contact with body fluids, and did not negotiate safer sex behaviors. Differences in sexual behaviors when compared by relationship status were found only in terms of certain risky sexual behaviors but not in terms of condom usage, contact with body fluids, or sexual negotiation. Despite participation in a number of highrisk activities and finding few differences among those men in relationships and those not in primary relationships, factors that promote or inhibit participation in high-risk sexual behaviors among Hispanic MSM in various types of relationships need further exploration.

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‘It's like the treasure’: beliefs associated with semen among young HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative gay men

Cited by 25 publications

References 49 publications

Changes in Sexual Roles and Quality of Life for Gay Men after Prostate Cancer: Challenges for Sexual Health Providers

Changes in Sexual Roles and Quality of Life for Gay Men after Prostate Cancer: Challenges for Sexual Health Providers

Insert Discourse: Rectal Douching Among Young HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men in Vancouver, Canada

How Do the Sexual Behaviors of Foreign-Born Hispanic Men Who Have Sex With Men Differ by Relationship Status?

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