Need for Intimacy Plays Role in Condomless Sex, Study Finds

A new study from Brown University in Rhode Island has found that many HIV-negative men in romantic relationships forgo condoms in order to preserve intimacy in the relationship — even when one or both partners are having sex outside of that relationship. More importantly, that desire for intimacy means a strong majority of participants — 55 percent, in fact — are willing to take PrEP to prevent HIV. 

That has significant implications for HIV prevention efforts, since we know that 68 percent of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men and transgender women who have sex with men are happening in the context of primary sexual relationships. For young MSM (ages 16-20) the perception of being in a serious relationship resulted in an eightfold increase in condomless sex, a 2011 study found. 

As a sidenote, taking a swipe at PrEP naysayers, study authors note that the findings do not indicate MSM will stop using condoms once they get access to PrEP; rather the study finds the participating MSM were already forgoing condom use.