Men who have sex with men#Sexually transmitted infections

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Men who have sex with men (MSM) are men who engage in sexual activity with other men, regardless of their sexual orientation or sexual identity.{{cite journal |last1=Eaton |first1=A.D. |last2=Scheadler |first2=T.R. |last3=Bradley |first3=C. |last4=McInroy |first4=L.B. |date=September 2023 |title=Identity development, attraction, and behaviour of heterosexually identified men who have sex with men: scoping review protocol |journal=Systematic Reviews |publisher=Springer Nature |volume=12 |issue=184 |page=184 |doi=10.1186/s13643-023-02355-6 |doi-access=free |pmc=10542689 |pmid=37777815 }}{{cite web |title=UNAIDS: Men who have sex with men |publisher=UNAIDS |date=2006|access-date=April 2, 2014 |url=http://www.unaids.org/en/media/unaids/contentassets/dataimport/pub/briefingnote/2006/20060801_policy_brief_msm_en.pdf|archive-date=June 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621123530/http://www.unaids.org/en/media/unaids/contentassets/dataimport/pub/briefingnote/2006/20060801_policy_brief_msm_en.pdf}} The term was created by epidemiologists in the 1990s, to better study and communicate the spread of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS between all sexually active males, not strictly those identifying as gay, bisexual, pansexual or various other sexualities, but also for example male prostitutes. The term is often used in medical literature and social research to describe such men as a group. It does not describe any specific kind of sexual activity, and which activities are covered by the term depends on context. The alternative term "males who have sex with males" is sometimes considered more accurate in cases where those described may not be legal adults.

As a constructed category

The term men who have sex with men had been in use in public health discussions, especially in the context of HIV/AIDS, since 1990 or earlier, but the coining of the initialism by Glick et al. in 1994 "signaled the crystallization of a new concept."{{cite journal |vauthors=Young RM, Meyer IH |title=The trouble with "MSM" and "WSW": erasure of the sexual-minority person in public health discourse |journal=Am J Public Health |volume=95 |issue=7 |pages=1144–1149 |date=July 2005 |pmid=15961753 |pmc=1449332 |doi=10.2105/AJPH.2004.046714}}{{cite journal |vauthors=Glick M, Muzyka BC, Salkin LM, Lurie D |title=Necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis: a marker for immune deterioration and a predictor for the diagnosis of AIDS |journal=J. Periodontol. |volume=65 |issue=5 |pages=393–7 |date=May 1994 |pmid=7913962 |doi=10.1902/jop.1994.65.5.393}} This behavioral concept comes from two distinct academic perspectives. First, it was pursued by epidemiologists seeking behavioral categories that would offer better analytical concepts for the study of disease-risk than identity-based categories (such as "gay", "bisexual", or "straight"), because a man who self-identifies as straight may nonetheless be sexually active with other men; similarly, a man who self-identifies as gay or bisexual is not necessarily sexually active with other men. Second, the concept's usage is tied to criticism of sexual identity terms prevalent in social construction literature, which typically rejected the use of identity-based concepts across cultural and historical contexts. The Huffington Post postulates that the term MSM was created by Cleo Manago, who is also credited for coining the term "same gender loving" (SGL).{{cite news |last1=Monroe |first1=Irene |title=Cleo Manago: The Most Dangerous Black Gay Man? |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cleo-manago_b_1280272 |work=HuffPost |date=18 February 2012 }}

MSM are not limited to small, self-identified, and visible sub-populations. MSM and gay refer to different things: behaviors and social identities. MSM refers to sexual activities between men, regardless of how they identify, whereas gay can include those activities but is more broadly seen as a cultural identity. Homosexuality refers to sexual/romantic attraction between members of the same sex and may or may not include romantic relationships. Gay is a social identity and is generally the preferred social term, whereas homosexual is used in formal contexts, though the terms are not entirely interchangeable. Men who are non-heterosexual or questioning may identify with all, none, a combination of these, or one of the newer terms indicating a similar sexual, romantic, and cultural identity like bi-curious.

In their assessment of the knowledge about the sexual networks and behaviors of MSM in Asia, Dowsett, Grierson and McNally concluded that the category of MSM does not correspond to a single social identity in any of the countries they studied.{{cite report |last1=Dowsett |first1=Gary |last2=Grierson |first2=Jeffrey |last3=McNally |first3=Stephen |title=A review of knowledge about the sexual networks and behaviours of men who have sex with men in Asia |date=14 May 2006 |url=https://apo.org.au/node/8811 |publisher=Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society }} There were no similar traits in all of the MSM population studied, other than them being males and engaging in sex with other men.

In some countries, homosexual relationships may be illegal or taboo, making MSM difficult to reach.{{cite web |url=http://www.aidsportal.org/News_Details.aspx?id=5208&nex=5 |title=MSM in Africa: highly stigmatized, vulnerable and in need of urgent HIV prevention |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713125016/http://www.aidsportal.org/News_Details.aspx?ID=5208 |archive-date=July 13, 2007}}{{cite web |url=http://infochangeindia.org/200801116825/Agenda/HIV/AIDS-Big-Questions/Criminalising-high-risk-groups-such-as-MSM.html |title=Criminalizing high-risk groups such as MSM |access-date=July 16, 2008 |archive-date=December 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227033643/http://infochangeindia.org/200801116825/Agenda/HIV/AIDS-Big-Questions/Criminalising-high-risk-groups-such-as-MSM.html |url-status=usurped }}

The term's precise use and definition has varied with regard to transgender and intersex people, who do not fall neatly into binary sex categories.{{cite journal |vauthors=Operario D, Burton J, Underhill K, Sevelius J |title=Men who have sex with transgender women: challenges to category-based HIV prevention |journal=AIDS Behav |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=18–26 |date=January 2008 |pmid=17705095 |doi=10.1007/s10461-007-9303-y }}

Sexual practices

{{Main|Sexual practices between men}}Historically, anal sex has been popularly associated with male homosexuality and MSM. However, many{{Clarify|date=June 2024}} MSM do not engage in anal sex, and may engage in oral sex, frotting or mutual masturbation instead.{{cite book |first1=Kaye|last1=Wellings|first2=Kirstin|last2=Mitchell|first3=Martine|last3=Collumbien |title=Sexual Health: A Public Health Perspective |isbn=978-0-335-24481-2 |publisher=McGraw-Hill International |year=2012 |page=91|access-date=August 29, 2013 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZKveuj7dLd4C&pg=PA91}}{{cite journal |last1=Goldstone |first1=Stephen E. |last2=Welton |first2=Mark L. |year=2004 |title=Anorectal Sexually Transmitted Infections in Men Who Have Sex with Men—Special Considerations for Clinicians |journal=Clin Colon Rectal Surg |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=235–239 |doi=10.1055/s-2004-836944 |pmc=2780055 |pmid=20011265}}{{cite book |title=Gay Perspective: Things Our Homosexuality Tells Us about the Nature of God & the Universe |isbn=978-1-59021-015-4 |publisher=Lethe Press |year=2008 |page=139|access-date=February 12, 2011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LPyhsuVbUlAC&pg=PA139 |author=Edwin Clark Johnson, Toby Johnson}} Among men who have anal sex with other men, the insertive partner may be referred to as the top, the one being penetrated may be referred to as the bottom, and those who engage in either role may be referred to as versatile{{cite book |author=Steven Gregory Underwood |title=Gay Men and Anal Eroticism: Tops, Bottoms, and Versatiles |isbn=978-1-56023-375-6 |publisher=Harrington Park Press |year=2003|access-date=February 12, 2011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i4wRl0_8NuUC&pg=PA4}}—with those who do not prefer/practice anal sex being referred to as side.

= Number of sexual partners =

A 2007 study reported that two large population surveys found "the majority of gay men had similar numbers of unprotected sexual partners annually as straight men and women."{{cite web |title=Sexual Behavior Does Not Explain Varying HIV Rates Among Gay And Straight Men |url=http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/82330.php |work=Medical News Today |date=September 13, 2007}}{{cite journal |vauthors=Goodreau SM, Golden MR |date=October 2007 |title=Biological and demographic causes of high HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevalence in men who have sex with men |journal=Sex Transm Infect |volume=83 |issue=6 |pages=458–462 |doi=10.1136/sti.2007.025627 |pmc=2598698 |pmid=17855487}} According to the 2013 NATSAL (a representative population study in the UK), MSM typically had 17 lifetime sexual partners (median), which included all forms of sexual contact including oral and anal sex.{{cite journal |last1=Mercer |first1=Catherine H. |last2=Prah |first2=Philip |last3=Field |first3=Nigel |last4=Tanton |first4=Clare |last5=Macdowall |first5=Wendy |last6=Clifton |first6=Soazig |last7=Hughes |first7=Gwenda |last8=Nardone |first8=Anthony |last9=Wellings |first9=Kaye |last10=Johnson |first10=Anne M. |last11=Sonnenberg |first11=Pam |title=The health and well-being of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Britain: Evidence from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3) |journal=BMC Public Health |date=December 2016 |volume=16 |issue=1 |page=525 |doi=10.1186/s12889-016-3149-z |pmc=4936006 |pmid=27386950 |doi-access=free }} An epidemiological article in The BMJ reported that national probability surveys like the NATSAL have been found to better reflect the population of MSM but are limited by their smaller samples of MSM. Convenience sample surveys recruit larger samples of MSM but tend to over-represent MSM identifying as gay and reporting more sexual risk behaviors.{{cite journal |last1=Prah |first1=Philip |last2=Hickson |first2=Ford |last3=Bonell |first3=Chris |last4=McDaid |first4=Lisa M |last5=Johnson |first5=Anne M |last6=Wayal |first6=Sonali |last7=Clifton |first7=Soazig |last8=Sonnenberg |first8=Pam |last9=Nardone |first9=Anthony |last10=Erens |first10=Bob |last11=Copas |first11=Andrew J |last12=Riddell |first12=Julie |last13=Weatherburn |first13=Peter |last14=Mercer |first14=Catherine H |title=Men who have sex with men in Great Britain: comparing methods and estimates from probability and convenience sample surveys |journal=Sexually Transmitted Infections |date=September 2016 |volume=92 |issue=6 |pages=455–463 |doi=10.1136/sextrans-2015-052389 |pmid=26965869 |pmc=5013102 |doi-access=free}}

Health issues

= Sexually transmitted infections =

Among men who have anal sex with other men, anal sex without use of a condom is considered to be high-risk for STI transmission. A person who inserts their penis into an infected partner is at risk because sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can enter through the urethra or through small cuts, abrasions, or open sores on the penis. Also, condoms are more likely to break during anal sex than during vaginal sex. Thus, even with a condom, anal sex can be risky.{{cite web |title=HIV Transmission |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)|access-date=May 3, 2014 |url=https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html}}{{cite book |first1=Werner W. K.|last1=Hoeger|first2=Sharon A.|last2=Hoeger |title=Fitness and Wellness: A Personalized Program |publisher=Cengage Learning |year=2010 |page=455|access-date = May 3, 2014 |isbn=978-1-133-00858-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0aw8AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA455}}{{Cite journal |last=Remis |first=Robert S. |date=2014 |title=HIV Transmission among Men Who Have Sex with Men due to Condom Failure |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=9 |issue=9 |pages=9 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0107540 |pmid=25211493 |pmc=4161430 |bibcode=2014PLoSO...9j7540R|doi-access=free}}

== HIV/AIDS ==

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).{{cite journal |author=Sepkowitz KA |title=AIDS—the first 20 years |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=344 |issue=23 |pages=1764–1772 |date=June 2001 |pmid=11396444 |doi=10.1056/NEJM200106073442306|doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |author=Weiss RA |title=How does HIV cause AIDS? |journal=Science |volume=260 |issue=5112 |pages=1273–1279 |date=May 1993 |pmid=8493571 |doi=10.1126/science.8493571 |bibcode=1993Sci...260.1273W}}{{cite book |last=Cecil |first=Russell |title=Textbook of Medicine |publisher=Saunders |location=Philadelphia |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-7216-1848-7 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/textbookofmedici0018unse/page/1523 1523, 1799] |url=https://archive.org/details/textbookofmedici0018unse/page/1523}} HIV can infect anybody, regardless of sex, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.{{cite web |title=2009 AIDS epidemic update |publisher=Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and World Health Organization |date=November 2009 |url=http://www.unaids.org/en/dataanalysis/epidemiology/2009aidsepidemicupdate |access-date=September 28, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928011837/http://www.unaids.org/en/dataanalysis/epidemiology/2009aidsepidemicupdate/ |archive-date=September 28, 2011}} Worldwide, an estimated 5–10% of HIV infections are the result of men having sex with men.{{cite web |url=http://www.avert.org/men-sex-men.htm |title=Men who have sex with men (MSM) and HIV/AIDS |work=avert.org |date=July 20, 2015}} However, in many developed countries, more HIV infections are transmitted by men having sex with men than by any other transmission route. In the United States, "men who have had sex with men since 1977 have an HIV prevalence (the total number of cases of a disease that are present in a population at a specific point in time) 60 times higher than the general population".{{cite web |author=Consumer Affairs Branch (CBER) |url=https://www.fda.gov/biologicsbloodvaccines/bloodbloodproducts/questionsaboutblood/ucm108186.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628121810/http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/BloodBloodProducts/QuestionsaboutBlood/ucm108186.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 28, 2009 |title=Blood Donations from Men Who Have Sex with Other Men Questions and Answers |publisher=Fda.gov |date=2013-03-18 |access-date=2013-05-17}}

In 2007, the largest estimated proportion of HIV/AIDS diagnoses among adults and adolescents in the U.S. were men who have sex with men (MSM). While this category is only 2% of the U.S. population{{cite web |title=Few Americans with HIV have virus under control |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/45478404 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924002557/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/45478404 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |publisher=NBC News News Services|access-date=November 30, 2011}} they accounted for 53% of the overall diagnoses and 71% among men. According to a 2010 federal study, one in five men who have sex with men are HIV positive and nearly half do not realize it.{{cite news |title=1 in 5 men who have sex with men have HIV, nearly half don't know it |url=https://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/medical/menshealth/2010-09-23-hiv-gay_N.htm|access-date=November 30, 2011 |newspaper=USA Today |date=September 23, 2011}}

According to a CDC study, HIV prevalence in the MSM population of the U.S. varies widely by ethnicity. "As many as 46% of black MSM have HIV" while "the HIV rate is estimated at 21% for white MSM and 17% for Hispanic MSM."{{cite web |url=http://www.healio.com/infectious-disease/hiv-aids/news/print/infectious-disease-news/%7Bd8aa870f-9596-4574-9342-beadfb911b21%7D/hiv-more-prevalent-among-black-msm-despite-fewer-risk-behaviors |title=HIV more prevalent among black MSM despite fewer risk behaviors |work=healio.com}}{{cite journal |last1=Millett |first1=Gregorio A |last2=Flores |first2=Stephen A |last3=Peterson |first3=John L |last4=Bakeman |first4=Roger |title=Explaining disparities in HIV infection among black and white men who have sex with men: a meta-analysis of HIV risk behaviors |journal=AIDS |date=October 2007 |volume=21 |issue=15 |pages=2083–2091 |doi=10.1097/QAD.0b013e3282e9a64b |pmid=17885299 |doi-access=free }}{{cite web |url=http://www.thebody.com/content/art8839.html |title=Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report Summarizes Opinion Pieces on U.S. AIDS Epidemic |work=TheBody.com|access-date=May 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917220010/https://www.thebody.com/content/art8839.html|archive-date=September 17, 2018|url-status=dead}} In the United States from 2001 to 2005, the highest transmission risk behaviors were sex between men (40–49% of new cases) and high risk heterosexual sex (32–35% of new cases).{{cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/2005report/table1.htm |title=2005 report |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention}} HIV infection is increasing at a rate of 12% annually among 13–24-year-old American men who have sex with men.{{cite news |url=http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112998.php |title=HIV Rising Among Young Gay Men In The US |date=June 27, 2008 |work=Medical News Today |first=Catharine |last=Paddock}}{{cite journal |title=Trends in HIV/AIDS diagnoses among men who have sex with men—33 States, 2001–2006 |journal=MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. |volume=57 |issue=25 |pages=681–6 |date=June 2008 |pmid=18583954 |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5725a2.htm |author1=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2007/pr079-07.shtml |title=New HIV diagnoses rising in New York City among young men who have sex with men |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409175738/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2007/pr079-07.shtml |archive-date=April 9, 2014}} Experts attribute this to "AIDS fatigue" among younger people who have no memory of the worst phase of the epidemic in the 1980s and early 1990s, as well as "condom fatigue" among those who have grown tired of and disillusioned with the unrelenting safer sex message. The increase may also be because of new treatments. In developing countries, HIV infection rates have been characterized as skyrocketing among MSM.{{cite web |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/490838 |title=HIV rates skyrocketing among men who have sex with men |last=Foley |first=Meraiah |date=July 24, 2007 |website=Taiwan News |access-date=May 21, 2021}} Studies have found that less than 5% of MSM in Africa, Asia, and Latin America have access to HIV-related health care.

===HIV prevention with PrEP===

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of medication to prevent HIV transmission in people who have not yet been exposed to the virus. When used as directed, PrEP has been shown to be highly effective, reducing the risk of contracting HIV up to 99%.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/estimates/preventionstrategies.html |title=Effectiveness of Prevention Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Acquiring or Transmitting HIV |date=2019-11-12 |website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210012105/https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/estimates/preventionstrategies.html|archive-date=10 December 2019|access-date=9 December 2019}} {{As of|2018}}, numerous countries have approved the use of PrEP for HIV/AIDS prevention, including the United States, South Korea,{{Cite web |url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/korea-just-approved-prep-can-afford-price/ |title=Korea has just approved PrEP but who can afford it at that price? |date=21 February 2018 |website=Gay Star News |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105230224/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/korea-just-approved-prep-can-afford-price/ |url-status=dead }} France, Norway,{{cite web |url=http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/norway-becomes-first-country-offer-free-prep/153487 |title=Norway becomes first country to offer free PrEP - Star Observer |website=starobserver.com.au |date=October 21, 2016|access-date=12 January 2017}} Australia,{{cite web |url=https://www.afao.org.au/our-work/policy-and-submissions/prep/ |title=Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) |website=AFAO.org.au |publisher=Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations |access-date=15 December 2017 |archive-date=December 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215110924/https://www.afao.org.au/our-work/policy-and-submissions/prep/ |url-status=dead }} Israel,{{cite news |url=https://www.poz.com/article/canada-israel-ok-truvada-prep-prevent-hiv |title=Canada and Israel OK Truvada as PrEP to Prevent HIV |date=1 March 2016|access-date=12 January 2017 |publisher=Poz}} Canada, Kenya, South Africa, Peru, Thailand, the European Union{{cite web |last1=Brooks |first1=Megan |url=https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/866524 |title=Truvada Recommended as First Drug for HIV PrEP in Europe |date=22 July 2016|access-date=15 December 2017 |website=Medscape|name-list-style=vanc}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/first-medicine-hiv-pre-exposure-prophylaxis-recommended-approval-eu |title=First medicine for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis recommended for approval in the EU |website=European Medicines Agency (EMA) |date=22 July 2016|access-date=12 January 2017}} and Taiwan.{{cite news |author=((Gilead Sciences Policy Position)) |url=http://www.gilead.com/~/media/files/pdfs/other/preexposure%20prophylaxis%20082316.pdf?la=en |title=Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention|access-date=15 December 2017 |publisher=Gilead Sciences}} New Zealand was one of the first countries in the world to publicly fund PrEP for the prevention of HIV in March 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/hiv-prevention-drug-truvada-publicly-funded-in-new-zealand |title=HIV prevention drug Truvada to be publicly funded in New Zealand|access-date=7 February 2018}}

== Other sexually transmitted infections ==

Men who have sex with men are at a higher risk of acquiring hepatitis A and hepatitis B through unprotected sexual contact. The U.S. CDC and ACIP recommend hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination for men who have sex with men.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/populations/msm.htm |title=Men Who Have Sex with Men {{!}} Populations and Settings {{!}} Division of Viral Hepatitis {{!}} CDC|date=2019-08-21|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2020-03-18}} About a third of the world's population, more than 2 billion people, have been infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV).{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs204/en/index.html |title=WHO | Hepatitis B}} Hepatitis B is a disease caused by HBV which infects the liver and causes an inflammation called hepatitis.

Syphilis (caused by infection with Treponema pallidum) is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore; these occur mainly on the external genitals, or in the vagina, anus, or rectum. Sores also can occur on the lips and in the mouth. Transmission of the organism occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. In 2006, 64% of the reported cases in the United States were among men who have sex with men.[https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/STDFact-MSM&Syphilis.htm#concern Syphilis & MSM (Men Who Have Sex With Men) – CDC Fact Sheet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627005044/https://www.cdc.gov/STD/Syphilis/STDFact-MSM%26Syphilis.htm#concern |date=June 27, 2017 }}, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention This is consistent with a rise in the incidence of syphilis among MSM in other developed nations, attributed by Australian and UK authors to increased rates of unprotected sex among MSM.{{cite journal |title=Syphilis: back on the rise, but not unstoppable |url=http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_04_150805/fai10406_fm.html#0_i1091617 |author1=Christopher K Fairley |author2=Jane S Hocking |author3=Nicholas Medland |journal=Medical Journal of Australia |year=2005 |volume=183 |issue=4 |pages=172–173 |doi=10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb06985.x |pmid=16097910 |url-access=subscription }}{{cite journal |title=Lessons from the syphilis outbreak in homosexual men in east London |author1=M Hourihan |author2=H Wheeler |author3=R Houghton |author4=B T Goh |journal=Sex Transm Infect |pmid=15572625 |doi=10.1136/sti.2004.011023 |year=2004 |volume=80 |issue=6 |pages=509–511 |pmc=1744940}}

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that most sexually active people in the U.S. will have at some time in their lives. It is passed on through genital contact and is also found on areas that condoms do not cover. Most men who get HPV of any type never develop any symptoms or health problems. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts, penile cancer, or anal cancer. MSM and men with compromised immune systems are more likely than other men to develop anal cancer. The incidence of anal cancer among HIV‐positive MSM is nine times higher than among HIV‐negative MSM, even in antiretroviral therapy. HIV-negative MSM has a higher incidence than the general population.{{cite journal |last1=Quinn |first1=Gwendolyn P. |last2=Sanchez |first2=Julian A. |last3=Sutton |first3=Steven K. |last4=Vadaparampil |first4=Susan T. |last5=Nguyen |first5=Giang T. |last6=Green |first6=B. Lee |last7=Kanetsky |first7=Peter A. |last8=Schabath |first8=Matthew B. |title=Cancer and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) populations |journal=CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians |date=September 2015 |volume=65 |issue=5 |pages=384–400 |doi=10.3322/caac.21288 |pmid=26186412 |pmc=4609168}} Men with HIV are also more likely to get severe cases of genital warts that are hard to treat.{{cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-and-men.htm |title=STD Facts – HPV and Men |access-date=August 17, 2007 |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention}}{{cite journal |vauthors=Frisch M, Smith E, Grulich A, Johansen C |title=Cancer in a population-based cohort of men and women in registered homosexual partnerships |journal=Am. J. Epidemiol. |volume=157 |issue=11 |pages=966–972 |year=2003 |pmid=12777359 |quote=However, the risk for invasive anal squamous carcinoma, which is believed to be caused by certain types of sexually transmitted human papilloma viruses, notably type 16, was significantly 31-fold elevated at a crude incidence of 25.6 per 100,000 person-years. |doi=10.1093/aje/kwg067 |df=mdy-all |doi-access=free}}{{cite journal |author=Chin-Hong PV |title=Age-related prevalence of anal cancer precursors in homosexual men: the EXPLORE study |journal=J. Natl. Cancer Inst. |volume=97 |issue=12 |pages=896–905 |year=2005 |pmid=15956651 |doi=10.1093/jnci/dji163 |name-list-style=vanc |author2=Vittinghoff E |author3=Cranston RD |display-authors=3 |last4=Browne |first4=L. |last5=Buchbinder |first5=S. |last6=Colfax |first6=G. |last7=Da Costa |first7=M. |last8=Darragh |first8=T. |last9=Benet |first9=D. J.|doi-access=free}}

Though not commonly classified as an STI, giardiasis can be transmitted between gay men,{{cite web |url=http://www.ndsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Gastroenteric/Giardiasis/Factsheet/ |title=Factsheet – Health Protection Surveillance Centre |publisher=Ndsc.ie |access-date=2013-05-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217062338/http://www.ndsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Gastroenteric/Giardiasis/Factsheet/ |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |df=mdy-all}} and it can be responsible for severe weight loss and death for individuals who have compromised immune systems, especially HIV.{{cite web |url=http://www.water-research.net/Giardia.htm |title=Giardia in Drinking Water Giardiasis Waterborne Disease |publisher=Water-research.net |access-date=2013-05-17}}

= Mental health =

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the majority of gay and bisexual men have and maintain good mental health, though research has shown that they are at greater risk for mental health problems. Stigma and homophobia can have negative consequences on health. Compared to other men, gay and bisexual men have a higher chance of having depression and anxiety disorders.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/msmhealth/mental-health.htm |title=Mental Health for Gay and Bisexual Men {{!}} CDC|date=2019-01-16|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2020-03-17}}

= Mpox =

In the United States, Mpox has been shown to disproportionately affect men who have sex with men.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7132e3.htm|title=Morbitity and Mortality Weekly Report|date=

2022-08-05|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2023-03-13}}

Prevalence

A 2024 meta-analysis in the United States of population surveys found that 3.3% of men reported having sex with another man during the past year, 4.7% in the previous 5 years, and 6.2% in their lifetime.{{Cite journal |last1=Bennett |first1=Brady W. |last2=DuBose |first2=Stephanie |last3=Huang |first3=Ya-Lin A. |last4=Johnson |first4=Christopher H. |last5=Hoover |first5=Karen W. |last6=Wiener |first6=Jeffrey |last7=Purcell |first7=David W. |last8=Sullivan |first8=Patrick S. |date=2024-06-11 |title=Population Percentage and Population Size of Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States, 2017-2021: Meta-Analysis of 5 Population-Based Surveys |journal=JMIR Public Health and Surveillance |volume=10 |pages=e56643 |doi=10.2196/56643 |doi-access=free |issn=2369-2960 |pmc=11200033 |pmid=38861303}}

MSM blood and tissue donor controversy

{{Main|Blood donation restrictions on men who have sex with men}}

Many countries impose restrictions on donating blood for men who have or have had sex with men, as well as their female sexual partners. Similar restrictions in many countries also prohibit donation of tissues such as corneas by men who have sex with men, often with far longer deferral periods than for MSM blood donors.{{cite journal |title=Association of Federal Regulations in the United States and Canada With Potential Corneal Donation by Men Who Have Sex With Men |journal=JAMA Ophthalmol |date=2020 |last1=Puente |first1=Michael A |last2=Patnaik |first2=Jennifer L |last3=Lynch |first3=Anne M |volume=138 |issue=11 |pages=1143–1149 |doi=10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.3630 |pmid=32970105 |pmc=7516798 |doi-access=free}} Most national standards require direct questioning regarding a donor's sexual history, but the length of deferral varies.

File:Map_of_blood_donation_policies_for_men_who_have_sex_with_men.svg

{{legend|#9F9|Men who have sex with men may donate blood without a deferral}}

{{legend|#FFB|Men who have sex with men may not donate blood within the deferral period}}

{{legend|#F99|Men who have sex with men may not donate blood; permanent deferral}}

{{legend|#C0C0C0|Unknown}}]]

File:Map_of_blood_donation_policies_for_female_sex_partners_of_men_who_have_sex_with_men.svg

{{legend|#9F9|Female sex partners of men who have sex with men may donate blood without a deferral}}

{{legend|#FFB|Female sex partners of men who have sex with men may not donate blood within the deferral period}}

{{legend|#F99|Female sex partners of men who have sex with men may not donate blood; permanent deferral}}

{{legend|#C0C0C0|Unknown}}]]

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20080224145753/http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/msm/resources/factsheets/msm.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: HIV/AIDS among Men Who Have Sex with Men]

Category:Male homosexuality

Category:Sexual health

Category:Sexual orientation and science

Category:LGBTQ and society

Category:1990s neologisms

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