Experiences with Sexual Enhancement Products among HIV+ MSM

BACKGROUND: Due to advances in HIV screening and treatment, HIV/AIDS have become more manageable diseases for those diagnosed, a disproportionate proportion of whom continue to be men who have sex with men (MSM). Much of the existing literature on HIV-positive (HIV+) MSM focuses on transmission risk, but fails to describe healthy sexual activities. This study examines experiences with sexual enhancement products by men with HIV-infection.

METHODS: Data were used from a national online survey of 25,294 gay and bisexually identified men, of which 3,571 self-identified as HIV+. Participants completed items related to sociodemographics, health-related behaviors, sexual behaviors and sexual enhancement product use.

RESULTS: Most HIV+ participants reported being sexually active (85.2%) and nearly all (90.6% ) reported their physical health status as being "good" or better for more than 21 of the previous 30 days. A majority of HIV+ participants (77.1%) reported vibrator use, both alone and with a partner, and nearly all (93.3%) participants reported that they enjoyed using a vibrator with their partner. Additionally, HIV+ participants were significantly more likely to report using vibrators for safer sex purposes than participants who reported a negative serostatus (X2 =8.67).

CONCLUSIONS: The use of sexual enhancement products was common among HIV+ participants in this sample, and was described as adding to quality of their sexual experiences. Public health practitioners should be mindful of the multiple healthy ways HIV+ men express their sexuality, and consider the discussion of sexual enhancement products as safer sex tools in the context of clinical settings.