CHECK Magazin - Gesundheitsmagazin für Männer No.5
Beratungs- und Anlaufstellen für Drogennutzer*innen und Abhängige sehen sich einem besonderen Dilemma ausgesetzt. Die meisten Fachkräfte aus dem Bereich der Drogenprävention wissen, dass die Ansage: „Nehmt keine Drogen, weil sie illegal und ungesund sind“, die Menschen nicht vom Konsum abhält. Die Kunst ist hier, Konsum-Strategien zu vermitteln und bei Drogenmissbrauch individuelle Schadensbegrenzung vorzunehmen, etwa in Form von Safer Use.
Beratungs- und Anlaufstellen für Drogennutzer*innen und Abhängige sehen sich einem besonderen Dilemma ausgesetzt. Die meisten Fachkräfte aus dem Bereich der Drogenprävention wissen, dass die Ansage: „Nehmt keine Drogen, weil sie illegal und ungesund sind“, die Menschen nicht vom Konsum abhält. Die Kunst ist hier, Konsum-Strategien zu vermitteln und bei Drogenmissbrauch individuelle Schadensbegrenzung vorzunehmen, etwa in Form von Safer Use.
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SEXUAL HEALTH<br />
ENGLISH<br />
STIS & HIV: WHAT SHOULD HAVE<br />
LONG BEEN CONSIDERED ”NORMAL“<br />
Finally, the loosening of lockdown measures are in sight and most of us are probably<br />
ecstatic at the prospect of more contact – especially body contact! Some are happy<br />
about a return to normality, others call for a “new normal”. When it comes to sexually<br />
transmitted infections, or STIs for short, the reality and the perception of what is<br />
“normal” are two different things.<br />
WE ARE ALL AFFECTED<br />
The higher the number of sexual partners, the<br />
higher the risk of contracting an STI. Just like<br />
the risk of breaking your leg skiing is higher<br />
than playing board games. However, we don’t<br />
think of someone having an accident as being<br />
overly risk-seeking. In contrast, we scrutinize<br />
people who are diagnosed with an STI and<br />
label them as careless and irresponsible.<br />
What if an active, diverse sex life could be<br />
lived openly and the associated risks were<br />
not considered a stigma, but a normal and,<br />
above all, treatable side-effect?<br />
THE WORLD IS FULL OF VIRUSES<br />
AND BACTERIA – SO IS SEX<br />
Even a self-inflicted accident is less embarrassing<br />
to us than an STI and hardly anyone<br />
has ever had to justify a gastrointestinal flu.<br />
There are some myths, especially about the<br />
ways in which STIs are spread, and we often<br />
prefer to convince ourselves that we got<br />
unlucky from a toilet in a public bathroom<br />
rather than stand by our sexuality. But STIs<br />
are still mostly transmitted via sex, hence<br />
their name.<br />
So what if we openly discuss how we got infected<br />
– at least with doctors and confidants?<br />
FACTS OVER SCHOOLYARD JOKES<br />
Many of us know STIs like gonorrhea or syphilis<br />
from silly jokes rather than from educated,<br />
calm conversations.<br />
So let’s counter those jokes about sexually<br />
transmitted infections with facts:<br />
• Syphilis has been on the rise again in<br />
Germany since 2010<br />
• With consistent adherence to a medication<br />
regimen, HIV-positive people can<br />
prevent the transmission of the disease<br />
by lowering their viral load to an undetectable<br />
level. This is now just as safe as<br />
using a condom.<br />
• Chlamydia infections are among the most<br />
common sexually transmitted diseases in<br />
Germany and can lead to infertility<br />
Facts are not only significantly cooler than<br />
worn-out jokes, they also help to better<br />
assess transmission routes and know one‘s<br />
own risk.<br />
NOT SHOWING SYMPTOMS DOES<br />
NOT MEAN YOU’RE NOT INFECTED<br />
We all know the uncomfortable situation of<br />
wanting to talk about STIs during sex, but<br />
then to forgo it for the sake of the mood. If,<br />
however, sexually active people were to be<br />
tested for STIs regularly (and without shame),<br />
these conversations would also be easier<br />
in the future and sex would be even more<br />
enjoyable for everyone.<br />
What if regular testing for STIs & HIV was just<br />
normal? (ts,mb)<br />
Discreet regular tests for STIs & HIV:<br />
s.a.m health combines the reliability of a<br />
laboratory analysis with the simplicity of a<br />
home test and trustworthy advice on sexual<br />
health. www.samhealth.de<br />
102 <strong>CHECK</strong> BERLIN/BRANDENBURG #5
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