Raw

[Xclay]

Several recent posts have commented at being shocked to see Brazilians going raw at orgies. Is this a trend? Are all these guys really taking PrEP? 

At saunas around Brazil, I was surprised in 2023 on my two trip (16 weeks) to have so many hot bottom boys casually offering me unprotected sex, and seeming eager to take a load.

I don't remember that from past decades. Well, actually I do remember from about 2005 a cute little blond in PA who really wanted it raw because that was such an exception back then.

I always think of a straight comedian who says that he's never more eager to put on a condom than when a woman says "oh you don't need to wear a condom."

The few times I've tried to ask I was told, if Google Translate got it all right, that they are indeed taking PrEP. ??? 

In contrast, I've not noticed any change in ativos conscientious unprompted use of protection.

[Novarunner]

Huh….?  PrEP is available and free (or at least very affordable) in Brazil (and many other places too) if you happen to be man that has sex with other men (or a woman that has sex with men in exchange reias).  It’s been that way for several years now.

[Xclay]

Yes, if all these bottoms are now getting the pills and faithfully taking them daily, that would account for the transformation.

But — contrary to your assumption as something that should be obvious — free PrEP has not come close to widespread use among men who have sex with men in Brazil!

"Why is PrEP so underused in Brazil?"

"Unwillingness to prescribe PrEP... in Northeastern Brazil"

"PrEP use in Brazil remains low despite free national access"

"Why Is Preexposure Prophylaxis So Underused in Brazil?"

Good if you are right and the "sex professionals" are among the estimated only 15% who take PrEP!

[Riobard]

Some, likely at least 1 in 5, already have HIV so the question is moot. If you ask about PrEP in a binary fashion they may be pushed into a corner regarding response. If you do inquire at point of intimacy you can consider the implementation of photos depicting uptake method along with the questions. You can state that you value the idea of somebody taking PrEP (profilaxia pré-exposição do HIV) and that you are curious about which method is preferred. You may discern how much it is relatable to him. That is more open-ended. A large proportion of those at risk for infection are not taking PrEP, or started and stopped, or are not consistently adherent. General population uptake in the appended figure is low; it is inconceivable that such a small fraction are MSM with high level candidacy. 

Syphilis was not Sisyphus struggling up the mountain at the orgy recently described. 

[scott456]

3 hours ago, Xclay said:

Several recent posts have commented at being shocked to see Brazilians going raw at orgies. Is this a trend? Are all these guys really taking PrEP? 

At saunas around Brazil, I was surprised in 2023 on my two trip (16 weeks) to have so many hot bottom boys casually offering me unprotected sex, and seeming eager to take a load.

I don't remember that from past decades. Well, actually I do remember from about 2005 a cute little blond in PA who really wanted it raw because that was such an exception back then.

I always think of a straight comedian who says that he's never more eager to put on a condom than when a woman says "oh you don't need to wear a condom."

The few times I've tried to ask I was told, if Google Translate got it all right, that they are indeed taking PrEP. ??? 

In contrast, I've not noticed any change in ativos conscientious unprompted use of protection.

Not only the parties in Brazil but also in Europe, I have seen most orgies are done bareback.  Of course some guys still use condoms but these are the minority these days. Let's face it, in a orgy party setting where multiple guys play simultaneously and switch often, it is just too cumbersome to change condoms, and impossible to keep track of who is doing what.  So if you don't do bareback, you should probably stay away, or just be an observer like @BlkSuperman at the orgy party.

[Novarunner]

I’m surprised by the articles you referenced (which most definitely does not mean they are inaccurate in any way).  The gentleman I see most frequently in Brazil takes PrEP - and has explained to me how to get it in Brazil which is the source of the info I provided - but obviously that’s a sample size of one so it’s really meaningless.  In any case though, I started taking PrEP not because I hate condoms but because I like using Grindr which results in me periodically bottoming for attractive but random strangers; some of whom occasionally turn out to be truly awful human beings that remove the condom we both agreed to use mid-fuck without consent.  My point is two fold: I would think a GP working in a sauna would share my fear/experience and start taking PrEP if given the opportunity and if you’re taking PrEP - which I fully understand isn’t right for everyone - it’s basically just one less thing to worry about.

[Riobard]

It took 5 years (2017-2022) for the Public Health Service (SUS) to adjust governance in such as way as to remove the stigmatizing eligibility requirement of declaring homosexual activity or commercial sex work status for PrEP access. The inflexibility may have been partly due to the associated research agenda geared to uptake surveillance of identified high risk groups. However, this inappropriately trumped rightful ‘do no harm’ ideology in terms of supporting self-determination among, for example, garotos that would have no problem identifying their behavioural risks and should have had the option to present their case in a more circumspect way, without needing to check a specific box.

It was not a funding issue because engaging the target population to explore and seek PrEP had consistently fallen short. The approach had obviously fuelled the narrative regarding HIV as a gay disease as well. Also ran was loss viz ability to track the uptake ratios comparing a broader span of PrEP-seeking categories. Additionally, those  outside of the restricted categories that might not have been ‘ideal’ PrEP candidates may have accessed better HIV info through the process of the PrEP-seeking itself, prevention knowledge being one of the biggest correlates of infection incidence. 

[BobBudenbender]

Going to Rio and I will have  a lot bareback sex with many men. As to prep, recent studies I have seen indicate it does not always work and some have come down with HIV. For me I have always done it raw as both top and bottom. In recent times i have been total bottom wanting not just the cock but the load inside me. I take all cum loads and if by misfortune I turn HIV POZ, so be it. Right now  I am HIV neg. So go figure its like a crap shoot to a degree. I do agree that most places in South America and Europe do not use condoms and most are not of prep. I know one cum dump who takes many loads and takes prep, swears by it, but I feel its still unprotected sex and he is taking the loads all the time. For me I prefer to take the load. To me you either go for it or become a priest or nun, whatever you prefer. One one issue I agree with the the men here, be careful and stay safe. Saunas are safest but sometimes you just need to do it, but be careful. 

[Canadianbtmguy]

 

I thought this was pretty neat—in the SP metro Paulista/Consolaçao 
 

“The new automated dispenser provides free medication for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP) against HIV, as well as HIV self-tests. To use the service, those interested must schedule a teleconsultation on the SPrEP platform, available in the e-saúdeSP app, and use the generated QR code to pick up the kit directly from the machine.”

translated from  https://www.metro.sp.gov.br/2025/04/11/estacao-consolacao-recebe-maquina-automatica-de-prevencao-ao-hiv/

There is also a full service PrEP center in Metro Republica. 

I find that generally GPs are aware of PrEP and those who identify as gay/have men as their partners in their “leisure time” take it. Those who identify as straight, particularly those in relationships with women (who do not know of their dalliance) are unlikely to be on it, for fear of discovery. The coming rollout of semi-monthly injectable caboteglivir could well change that (although in some guys I do detect a “PrEP is for gay guys” construct that would also need to be overcome) 

Incidentally, I wanted to get a yellow fever vaccine, as I was later going to a country that requires it for entry. The process required registering for the health service (SUS), for which I now have an card, and the vaccine was free. I don’t know if this means I am fully enrolled in SUS, but it does seem that way. Also interesting that there was a whimsical poster up about the importance of calling transpeople by their preferred pronouns (how few countries one would see that!)

[Canadianbtmguy]

Incidentally generic truvada is available at pharmacies without a prescription and for less than the cost of a “program” (I believe it was around R$150)

[Novarunner]

23 hours ago, BobBudenbender said:

Going to Rio and I will have  a lot bareback sex with many men. As to prep, recent studies I have seen indicate it does not always work and some have come down with HIV. For me I have always done it raw as both top and bottom. In recent times i have been total bottom wanting not just the cock but the load inside me. I take all cum loads and if by misfortune I turn HIV POZ, so be it. Right now  I am HIV neg. So go figure its like a crap shoot to a degree. I do agree that most places in South America and Europe do not use condoms and most are not of prep. I know one cum dump who takes many loads and takes prep, swears by it, but I feel it’s still unprotected sex and he is taking the loads all the time. For me I prefer to take the load. To me you either go for it or become a priest or nun, whatever you prefer. One one issue I agree with the the men here, be careful and stay safe. Saunas are safest but sometimes you just need to do it, but be careful. 

Huh….?  PrEP most definitely works (attached).  Also, I suspect your message was posted with inflammatory intent but, ignoring that, I think you will find that the percentage of the population interested in going sem camishina corresponds directly to the amount of time and accessibility of PrEP in the locality.  Have you used Grindr recently in an American city recently?  I have and it’s been quite a while since it connected me with someone that thought using condoms was a good idea.

[BobBudenbender]

I only expressed my own thoughts and what I have seen and read. I believe tat prep does indeed work for most people or at least it does for a while. I think the entire stigma of AIDS is not what it once was and treatments exist today that never existed when it hit the population. I have never used Grindr or other such apps so to those that do God Speed. For me I have made my personal choice, I like my choice and am fine with it. Other may do exactly what they wish.

[Riobard]

2 hours ago, Novarunner said:

Huh….?  PrEP most definitely works (attached).  Also, I suspect your message was posted with inflammatory intent but, ignoring that, I think you will find that the percentage of the population interested in going sem camishina corresponds directly to the amount of time and accessibility of PrEP in the locality.  Have you used Grindr recently in an American city recently?  I have and it’s been quite a while since it connected me with someone that thought using condoms was a good idea.

Well of course there is a dose response effect. This has been known since early PrEP trials. Cohorts taking PrEP are better protected whether they are subgroups within randomized control trials or consist of individual state populations. New York is closest to drug assignment while West Virginia more approximates placebo. You wouldn’t have needed Sullivan’s The Lancet paper to substantiate that the lower uptake among the cluster of 10 states with poorest need:get ratio results in poorer infection rate outcomes, given that the overall national “get”, access to PrEP, among those deemed at risk had risen over a decade to only 26%. 

Sullivan’s group reveals a “modest” [sic] 10-year national reduction in HIV infection deemed attributable to PrEP rollout and TasP combined. The small reduction per capita is downplayed, understandably, because the point of the analysis was to position the PrEP advocacy argument in the context of funding cut threats. You want to be equitable across regions but, more importantly, increase the numbers of at-risk folks acquiring the protection. People starting on PrEP also get tested, and subsequently more regularly. Catching seroconversions adds to the numbers streamed into TasP, the second essential prong for reducing case incidence.

Case reduction is not statistically significant at the per 100K level; it’s merely a drop of 2.4 cases. It only approaches significance at about a denominator threshold of 1,600,000. 

It’s nothing short of naïve to not assume that a substantial proportion of hook-up app users is not represented within the numerical majority of HIV-negative and sexually active, for whom PrEP is indicated but not consumed. 

[gsurfer]

On 11/16/2025 at 3:01 PM, Canadianbtmguy said:

Incidentally generic truvada is available at pharmacies without a prescription and for less than the cost of a “program” (I believe it was around R$150)

Could you please name any Pharmacy in Sao Paulo or Rio selling PrEP without prescription and without required tests?

[Riobard]

21 minutes ago, gsurfer said:

Could you please name any Pharmacy in Sao Paulo or Rio selling PrEP without prescription and without required tests?

I realize you addressed this to another poster, but Imma chime in anyway.

For a few years now pharmacists in Brazil are authorized to test and prescribe HIV PrEP and PEP if they have completed the required educational module. 

I am going to try to attach here the link of several settings doing this, including pharmacies.

https://www.gov.br/aids/pt-br/assuntos/prevencao-combinada/prep-profilaxia-pre-exposicao/onde-encontrar-a-prep

[Riobard]

On 11/16/2025 at 9:53 AM, Canadianbtmguy said:

“The new automated dispenser provides free medication for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP) against HIV, as well as HIV self-tests. To use the service, those interested must schedule a teleconsultation on the SPrEP platform, available in the e-saúdeSP app, and use the generated QR code to pick up the kit directly from the machine.”

translated from  https://www.metro.sp.gov.br/2025/04/11/estacao-consolacao-recebe-maquina-automatica-de-prevencao-ao-hiv/

There is also a full service PrEP center in Metro Republica. 

I find that generally GPs are aware of PrEP and those who identify as gay/have men as their partners in their “leisure time” take it. Those who identify as straight, particularly those in relationships with women (who do not know of their dalliance) are unlikely to be on it, for fear of discovery. The coming rollout of semi-monthly injectable caboteglivir could well change that … 

Cabotegravir PrEP (APRETUDE) is bimonthly. It might not get much critical mass because several months ago Lenacapavir semi-annual injectable was submitted to ANVISA for authorization review. The HIC-based costs … exorbitant! … are fairly comparable and Lenacapavir (YEZTUGO) continuity of uptake may be more favourable. Both require additional oral and/or injected lead-in dosing. 

[Canadianbtmguy]

 

gsurfer said: "Could you please name any Pharmacy in Sao Paulo or Rio selling PrEP without prescription and without required tests?"

Maybe I should be more detailed: I didn't just walk in and say "one bottle of Truvada please". I had the bottle from the old one and I explained that I needed more because I was running out. I also didn't say its purpose, one way or the other; she may have assumed it was for HIV. In fact, the prime topic of conversation (other than how well she thought I spoke Portugues, which I really don't--I have a vocabulary of about 100 words that I latch onto my pre-existing Spanish--but I think a lot of Brazilians think I learned the whole lot as Portugues) was whether fumarato de tenofovir desoproxilia was the same thing. I spoke with authority and that may have been a factor too.

In Brazil, like many countries, there are different levels of requirements for different prescription medications (e.g. Adderall). At the lowest levels, a prescription in Brazil may be technically required but rarely is. The GLP-1 injections (e.g. ozempic) passed into a tighter category earlier in the year; before that, I would get them without a prescription (and later I had an American prescription but it attracted little interest).