Sexual Health Calculator

There are lots of tools you can use to help you feel good about the sex you’re having. Use this calculator to learn how likely to transmit HIV and other STIs based on the type of sex you’re having, and to get an HIV/STI prevention strategy tailored just for you!

What kind of sex are you having?

What is your HIV status?

What is your partner's HIV status?

What HIV prevention tools are you using?


Error

Please answer each question.

HIV

Very unlikely: Activities that are very unlikely to result in you getting HIV include: getting head sex, giving head with a condom, and rimming (giving and receiving).

HIV can only be passed from a person who has HIV. HIV cannot be passed if a person living with HIV is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load. When taken regularly, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV transmission.

HIV

Unlikely: Activities that are unlikely to result in you getting HIV include: giving head without a condom, or using condoms and lube as your primary prevention method when sharing toys, bottoming, or topping.

When started within 72 hours of a risky event, PEP is also an effective tool to prevent HIV transmission.

HIV

Somewhat likely: Activities that may result in you getting HIV include: sharing a sex toy with a person of unknown HIV status or detectable viral load. The anal or front hole fluids on the toy can carry HIV and result in passing HIV.

HIV

More likely: Activities that are more likely to result in in you getting HIV include: topping without using condoms or PrEP with a person whose HIV status is unknown or has a detectable viral load.

HIV

Most likely: Activities that are most likely to result in in you getting HIV include: bottoming without a condom or PrEP with a person whose HIV status is unknown or has a detectable viral load.

HIV

Living with HIV: Living with HIV is a fact of life for all kinds of people including many people within our communities. With treatment a person with HIV can live a full, long, healthy life that includes a satisfying sex life. Whatever your HIV status, there are more tools than ever to have good sex.

STIs

Less likely: While not 100% effective, condoms with lube and dental dams are the best tools for preventing STIs. STIs can often be part of having sex. Thankfully most STIs are easy to treat using medication! Ask your healthcare provider or HIM nurse about vaccinations that can help prevent STIs.

STIs

Somewhat likely: While not 100% effective, condoms with lube and dental dams are the best tools for preventing STIs. STIs can often be part of having sex. Thankfully most STIs are easy to treat using medication! Ask your healthcare provider or HIM nurse about vaccinations that can help prevent STIs.

STIs

More likely: While not 100% effective, condoms with lube and dental dams are the best tools for preventing STIs. STIs can often be part of having sex. Thankfully most STIs are easy to treat using medication! Ask your healthcare provider or HIM nurse about vaccinations that can help prevent STIs.

Tools

TESTING: While you may have not gotten HIV, you may have picked up other STIs. We recommend you get tested every 3 months. Make an appointment at one of HIM’s Health Centres today!

CONDOMS: If you’re concerned about STIs other than HIV, consider using condoms with lube or dental dams. Get free condom packs at any HIM Health Centre or at many Vancouver queer bars.

COMMUNICATION: Communication with your sexual partners is an important part of having sex. Whether it’s about consent, or your sexual desires, needs, history, or HIV status, better communication often leads to better sex!

Tools

TESTING: We recommend you get tested every 3 months. Make an appointment at one of HIM’s Health Centres today!

PEP: PEP helps prevent HIV transmission if taken within 72 hours from when you might have picked up the virus. Access PEP at your local hospital or HIM Healthcentres on Davie and The Drive. PEP can be taken in an emergency situation but is not recommended as a long-term strategy. PrEP provides more consistent prevention and with less side-effects.

PrEP: PrEP is a daily pill that helps prevents HIV transmission and is now free for most of us living in BC. Consider going to PrEP if you want to have condomless sex!

CONDOMS: While PrEP helps prevent HIV, condoms with lube are still the most effective tool to prevent HIV and other STIs. Get free condom packs at any HIM Health Centre or at many Vancouver queer bars.

COMMUNICATION: Communication with your sexual partners is an important part of having sex. Whether it’s about consent, or your sexual desires, needs, history, or HIV status, better communication often leads to better sex!

Tools

TESTING: While you may have not gotten HIV, you may have picked up other STIs. We recommend you get tested every 3 months. Make an appointment at one of HIM’s Health Centres today!

PrEP: HIV can only be passed when a person has enough HIV in their system. Someone who doesn’t have HIV or can reach undetectability can’t pass it on! That said, you might want to consider going on PrEP if you want to have condomless sex. PrEP is a daily pill that helps prevent HIV transmission and is now free for most of us in BC.

CONDOMS: While PrEP helps prevent HIV, condoms with lube are still the most effective tool to prevent HIV and other STIs. Get free condom packs at any HIM Health Centre or at many queer bars.

COMMUNICATION: Communication with your sexual partners is an important part of having sex. Whether it’s about consent, or your sexual desires, needs, history, or HIV status, better communication often leads to better sex!

Tools

TESTING: In order to be on PrEP you need to get tested for HIV every three months. We recommend asking your healthcare provider to test for other STIs during your regular HIV check up.

CONDOMS: If you’re concerned about STIs other than HIV, consider using condoms with lube. Get free condom packs at any HIM Health Centre or at many Vancouver queer bars.

COMMUNICATION: Communication with your sexual partners is an important part of having sex. Whether it’s about consent, or your sexual desires, needs, history, or HIV status, better communication often leads to better sex!

Tools

CONDOMS: If you’re concerned about STIs other than HIV, consider using condoms with lube. Get free condom packs at any HIM Health Centre or at many Vancouver queer bars.

TREATMENT: HIV has no cure but different medications can be taken to reduce the impacts of HIV on your health. The sooner you start treatment, the more effective it’s likely to be. Talk to your regular doctor or care provider about what treatment options work for you!

COMMUNICATION: Communication with your sexual partners is an important part of having sex. Whether it’s about consent, or your sexual desires, needs, history, or HIV status, better communication often leads to better sex!

Tools

CONDOMS: If you’re concerned about STIs other than HIV, consider using condoms with lube. Get free condom packs at any HIM Health Centre or at many Vancouver queer bars.

COMMUNICATION: Communication with your sexual partners is an important part of having sex. Whether it’s about consent, or your sexual desires, needs, history, or HIV status, better communication often leads to better sex!

HIM honours the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and the territories of many nations on the west coast of Turtle Island, on whose unceded and stolen land we live and work. As uninvited inhabitants, we acknowledge that this space is and always will be Indigenous land.

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Below are some links and resources you may find useful to help you navigate your sexual health:

HIV Status & HIV Undetectability Condoms & Lube PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)