Gay Bareback Sex: What to Know About Going Condomless

Understanding the Risks of Unprotected Anal Sex

"Gay bareback sex" is a term mostly used to describe men having unprotected anal intercourse with men, but it is also sometimes used to refer to unprotected sex without a condom in general. Bareback sex increases the risk of getting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so it is important to learn what precautions you may need to take if you wish to have it.

This article discusses the risks and perceived benefits of bareback sex, as well as ways you can have safer sex without a condom.

A couple lying in bed together
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What Is Bareback Sex?

The term "bareback sex" or "barebacking" refers to having penetrative sex without the use of a condom. This term was originally used to refer to men who had unprotected sex with men—with an awareness of the potential risk of HIV exposure. It's slang commonly used in the LGBTQ+ community and relates to riding a horse without a saddle, also known as riding bareback.

The term today may also be used to refer to unprotected vaginal sex.

Risks of Gay Bareback Sex

HIV

There are various risks associated with bareback sex. Since no protective barrier such as a condom is used, there can be a higher chance of getting HIV. This is especially true for men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2018, MSM made up over 80% of HIV cases in the United States.

Because the rectum's lining is thin and easily injured, it's easier for cuts and tears to develop during anal sex, which makes for easier transmission of HIV. Because of this, there is a higher risk of getting HIV from bareback sex than other types of sex, especially for those who are the receptive (bottom) partner.

The inserting (top) partner is also at risk, as HIV can enter the body through the opening of the penis (urethra), or through cuts, abrasions, and sores on the penis.

Women are also at risk of getting HIV from unprotected anal sex. Although only 18% of new HIV cases in 2018 were among women, the risk of getting HIV increases for women who have unprotected anal sex, especially if they do so with MSM.

Other Sexually Transmitted Infections

Bareback sex can also lead to other types of STIs, such as chlamydia,  hepatitis B, and gonorrhea.

Perceived Benefits

There is a lower risk involved in barebacking if consenting adults know that they are not infected with HIV or other types of infections. Many people find bareback sex to be more pleasurable and exciting than protected sex. They enjoy the skin-to-skin contact and feel that they can bond more closely with their partner.

Barebacking may also provide an incentive to remain monogamous when both partners are committed to the relationship.

Can condoms allow for full sensation?

Finding the right condom may allow you to experience full sensation. Some condoms are designed to make sex more pleasurable; textures like ribbing and studs, colors, flavors, ultra-thin materials, and special lubricants can all increase pleasure and sensation for both partners.

Talk With Your Partner Beforehand

Although it may seem that talking about your sexual and medical histories before barebacking can be dull or ruin the mood, a frank conversation can keep you and your partner safe from infection. Communicate openly with your partner. No one should feel pressured to have sex nor should anyone engage in any sexual activity that makes them feel uncomfortable. 

The "hookup culture" sometimes seen in dating apps and late-night clubbing is risky if precautions aren't practiced. People infected with HIV can appear symptom-free, so thoroughly talking with your partner before engaging in bareback sex is essential.

STI Testing

Discuss boundaries and expectations with your partner, especially if it is your first time together. Clarify if either of you has other sexual partners and are using protection with them. It is important to routinely get tested for STIs and share your status with them too.

It can be difficult to talk about such things with somebody you may not know well, but it is important for the safety of everyone involved.

Also, even if you and your partner are both HIV positive, bareback sex may still cause further infection. There are different strains of HIV. If your partner has a detectable load of an HIV strain that is resistant to HIV medication, there is a possibility of you getting it. Be sure to discuss your HIV status and treatment thoroughly with your partner.

While most STI tests are highly accurate, false results can happen. It's possible to get a negative test result and still have an STI. This can also happen if you test too soon after exposure to an STI or if you were re-exposed after you were tested. That said, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider about the types of STI testing you may need as well as how often you should be screened.

Preventive Medication

The only sure way of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV or other STIs is through abstinence—avoiding anal, vaginal, and oral sex altogether. But if you want to engage in sex, especially barebacking, the safest way is to use protection, most notably condoms.

When used correctly, condoms can reduce the risk of getting HIV and other STIs substantially. Research shows that HIV-negative men who use condoms when engaging in sex with HIV-positive men can reduce their risk of getting HIV by 70%.

If you have HIV, it's important to get treatment. By maintaining an undetectable viral load with antiretroviral therapy, there is "almost zero" risk of transmitting the virus to a sex partner.

You can also take other preventive measures, especially if you don't have HIV and plan to have bareback sex with someone who has or may have been exposed to HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of oral or injectable medication to prevent HIV infection. When taken as prescribed, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%. It is recommended for those at high risk of getting HIV, such as MSM.

What to Do if You’ve Been Exposed

If you had bareback sex and think that you may have been exposed to HIV or other STIs, see a doctor as soon as you can. For HIV, postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) uses medications to prevent HIV infection if an HIV-negative person was exposed to HIV, and it requires a prescription.

PEP is usually given within 72 hours after exposure to HIV, as HIV can develop quickly within 24–36 hours after infection.

Your doctor will probably recommend STI testing to see if an infection has occurred. If so, they will take the necessary steps to put you on a treatment plan for the infection involved.

For example, in the case of an HIV infection, antiretroviral drugs are used to stop the virus from multiplying, which can lessen the viral load to a point at which it is undetectable in the body.

Summary

Bareback sex can be a fun and pleasurable form of sex. But with any type of unprotected sex, the risk of getting HIV and other STIs increases greatly. To ensure the safety of you both, be sure to talk with your partner about your sexual history and current HIV and other STI infection status before engaging in bareback sex.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What should women know about bareback sex?

    Women should know that bareback sex increases the risk of getting HIV and other STIs for them too. The rectal lining is more delicate than the vagina, making it easier to transmit HIV through cuts or anal fissures that can happen from anal sex.

    Like men, women should be cautious if they plan to engage in bareback sex, especially if their partner is a man who has sex with other men.

  • How do you safely prepare for bareback sex?

    Talk with your partner thoroughly about your sexual histories and whether each of you is engaging in protected or unprotected sex with other partners. Get tested to ensure that neither of you has an HIV or other STI infection.

    Also, especially for receptive partners in anal sex, lubrication may be necessary to reduce friction and irritation, which can lessen the risk of getting a tear inside the rectal lining.

11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Jerry Kennard
 Jerry Kennard, PhD, is a psychologist and associate fellow of the British Psychological Society.