Men who have sex with men (MSM) and find their partners on the internet are more likely to take sexual risks than are MSM who do not seek partners on the internet.
New opportunities for meeting now often begin without leaving home; about 60% of LGBT relationships begin on-line. Although particularly used by those under thirty years old, the recent highest growth has been of social networking for people over the age of forty. Although rates of new infections of HIV dropped during the 1990’s, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States says that the rates of new infections is increasing. Some of this appears to be related to greater complacency. With new and better treatments available, men are living longer and better with HIV/AIDS, men seem to have relaxed in protecting themselves. Some younger men have even sought out infection “to get it over with.”
The CDC Fact Sheet says that the increased risk in HIV is related to a complex set of risk factors:
1. The high prevalence of HIV among gay and bisexual men means MSM face a greater risk of being exposed with each sexual encounter, especially as they get older.
2. Many MSM are unaware of their HIV status and unknowingly transmit the virus to others. Those who know they are infected take greater precautions to protect their partners.
3. Complacency may play a key role since many younger MSM have not experienced the raves of HIV/AIDS.
4. For some MSM, social and economic factors, including homophobia, stigma and lack of access to health care may increase risk behaviors or be a barrier to treatment
5. Substance abuse. Alcohol, illegal drugs and drugs used to treat sexual dysfunction contribute to increase risk through greater participation in high risk sexual behaviors, particularly unprotected anal sex. People are more inclined to use the internet to meet their partners if they know others who have used it successfully. Men skim profiles for others with common interest to determine available prospects. In some cases this has made it easier to find anonymous partners to engage in high risk sexual behaviors. If the sexual behaviors they seek are not consistent with safer sex, these men increase their risk of HIV. Web sites often warn against sharing too much personal information and suggest the first face-to-face meeting takes place in a public place. In addition, use of drugs used to treat sexual dysfunction (Viagra, Cialis and Levitra) are increasingly for recreational activity. Their use is also associated with an increase in high risk sexual activity, including unprotected anal sex and multiple, anonymous and casual sexual partners.
Dr. Loren A. Olson is writing a book with the working title of Finally Out: Unlocking the Closet in Mid-Life and Beyond, a book about coming out of the closet as a mature man. Dr. Olson is a psychiatrist with over 30 years in the practice of psychiatry. This book is based on his own experience of coming out at the age of 40 and incorporates his understanding of psychiatric principles.