Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMeaningRisksPerceived BenefitsTalking About SexHow to Have Safer Bareback SexPreventionExposure
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Meaning
Risks
Perceived Benefits
Talking About Sex
How to Have Safer Bareback Sex
Prevention
Exposure
“Bareback sex” is a term mostly used to describe men having unprotected (condomless) anal intercourse with men, but it is also sometimes used to refer to any kind of penetrative sex without a barrier.
Bareback sex increases the risk of gettingHIV(human immunodeficiency virus) and othersexually transmitted infections (STIs), so it is important to learn what precautions you may need to take if you wish to have it.
Steve Prezant / Image Source / Getty Images
What Is Bareback Sex?
The term “bareback sex” or “barebacking” refers to having penetrative sex without the use of a condom. This term was originally used to refer to men who had condomless sex with men—with an awareness of the potential risk of HIV exposure.It’s slang commonly used in the LGBTQ+ community and relates to riding a horse without a saddle, also known as riding bareback.
The term “bareback” may also be used to refer to condomless vaginal sex.
Risks of Bareback Sex
Condomless sex increases the risk of human immunovirus (HIV) infection and several sexually transmitted infections.
HIV
Since no protective barrier, such as a condom, is used during bareback sex, there can be a higher chance of getting HIV. This is especially true for men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2021, MSM made up 81% of HIV cases in the United States.
Because the rectum’s lining is thin and easily injured, it’s easier for cuts and tears to develop during anal sex, which makes foreasier transmission of HIV.Because of this, there is a higher risk of getting HIV from bareback sex than other types of sex, especially for the receptive (bottom) partner.
The inserting (top) partner is also at risk, as HIV can enter the body through the opening of the penis (urethra) or through cuts, abrasions, and sores on the penis.
Women are also at risk of getting HIV from condomless anal sex. Although only 18% of new HIV cases in 2018 were among women, the risk of getting HIV increases for women who have condomless anal sex, especially if they do so with MSM.
Other Sexually Transmitted Infections
Bareback sex can also lead to other types of STIs, such as:
Women and Bareback SexBareback sex increases the risk of getting HIV and other STIs for women too.The rectal lining is more delicate than the vagina, making it easier to transmit HIV through cuts oranal fissuresthat can happen during anal sex.Like men, women should be cautious if they plan to engage in bareback sex, especially if their partner is a man who has sex with other men.
Women and Bareback Sex
Bareback sex increases the risk of getting HIV and other STIs for women too.The rectal lining is more delicate than the vagina, making it easier to transmit HIV through cuts oranal fissuresthat can happen during anal sex.Like men, women should be cautious if they plan to engage in bareback sex, especially if their partner is a man who has sex with other men.
Bareback sex increases the risk of getting HIV and other STIs for women too.The rectal lining is more delicate than the vagina, making it easier to transmit HIV through cuts oranal fissuresthat can happen during anal sex.
Like men, women should be cautious if they plan to engage in bareback sex, especially if their partner is a man who has sex with other men.
There is a lower risk involved in barebacking if consenting adults know that they are not infected with HIV or other types of infections. Many people find bareback sex to be more pleasurable and exciting than protected sex. They enjoy the skin-to-skin contact and feel that they can bond more closely with their partner.
Barebacking may also provide an incentive to remain monogamous when both partners are committed to the relationship.
Can condoms allow for full sensation?Finding the right condom may allow you to experience full sensation. Some condoms are designed to make sex more pleasurable; textures like ribbing and studs, colors, flavors, ultra-thin materials, and special lubricants can all increase pleasure and sensation for both partners.
Can condoms allow for full sensation?
Finding the right condom may allow you to experience full sensation. Some condoms are designed to make sex more pleasurable; textures like ribbing and studs, colors, flavors, ultra-thin materials, and special lubricants can all increase pleasure and sensation for both partners.
Talk With Your Partner Beforehand
Although it may seem that talking about your sexual and medical histories before barebacking can be dull or ruin the mood, a frank conversation can keep you and your partner safe from infection.
The “hookup culture” sometimes seen in dating apps and late-night clubbing is risky if precautions aren’t practiced. People infected with HIV can appear symptom-free, so thoroughly talking with your partner before engaging in bareback sex is essential.
Communication is a key component of safer bareback sex. This includes getting tested for STIs, communicating openly about STI status, and setting expectations with your partner.
STI Testing
Unless you and your partner have never engaged in any type of sex act, then STIs are a possibility and a talk about status and testing needs to happen before having unprotected sex.
It is important toroutinely get tested for STIsand share your status with your partner.It can be difficult to talk about such things with somebody you may not know well, but it is important for the safety of everyone involved.
Also, even if you and your partner are both HIV positive, bareback sex may still cause further infection. There are different strains of HIV. If your partner has a detectable load of an HIV strain that is resistant to HIV medication, there is a possibility of you getting it.Be sure to discuss your HIV status and treatment thoroughly with your partner.
While most STI tests are highly accurate, false results can happen. It’s possible to get a negative test result and still have an STI. This can also happen if you test too soon after exposure to an STI or if you were re-exposed after you were tested.That said, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the types of STI testing you may need, and how often you should be screened.
While most STI tests are highly accurate, false results can happen. It’s possible to get a negative test result and still have an STI. This can also happen if you test too soon after exposure to an STI or if you were re-exposed after you were tested.
That said, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the types of STI testing you may need, and how often you should be screened.
Setting Expectations
Discuss boundaries and expectations with your partner, especially if it is your first time together. Clarify if either of you:
Remember, you and your partner have the right to change your minds about having unprotected sex at any time, regardless of STI results.
There are several ways to lower your risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
Abstinence:The only sure way of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV or other STIs is through abstinence—avoiding anal, vaginal, and oral sex altogether.
Condoms:If you want to engage in sex, the safest way is to use a condom. Whenused correctly, condoms can significantly reduce the risk of getting HIV and other STIs. In addition, using lubrication, especially for receptive partners in anal sex, may reduce friction and irritation, which can lessen the risk of getting a tear inside the rectal lining.
Medications:You can consider taking preventive medications, especially if you don’t have HIV and plan to have bareback sex with someone who has or may have been exposed to HIV.
If you have HIV, it’s important to get treatment. By maintaining an undetectable viral load with antiretroviral therapy, there is “almost zero” risk of transmitting the virus to a sex partner.
What to Do If You’ve Been Exposed
If you had bareback sex and think that you may have been exposed to HIV or other STIs, see a healthcare provider as soon as you can. For HIV,postexposure prophylaxis (PEP)uses medications to prevent HIV infection if an HIV-negative person is exposed to HIV, and it requires a prescription.
PEP is usually given within 72 hours after exposure to HIV, as HIV can develop quickly within 24–36 hours after infection.
Your healthcare provider will probably recommendSTI testingto see if an infection has occurred. If so, they will provide a treatment plan for the specific type of infection.
For example, in the case of an HIV infection, antiretroviral drugs are used to stop the virus from multiplying, which can lessen the viral load to a point at which it is undetectable in the body.
Summary
Bareback sex can be a pleasurable form of sex. But with any type of condomless sex, the risk of getting HIV and other STIs increases greatly. To ensure the safety of you and your partner, talk with your partner about your sexual history and current HIV and other STI infection status before engaging in bareback sex.
You can also consider and discuss the use of PrEP and doxyPEP to reduce the risk of bareback sex and STI transmission. Your healthcare provider can explain your treatment options.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Brisson J.Reflections on the history of bareback sex through ethnography: the works of subjectivity and PrEP.Anthropology & Medicine. 2019;26(3):345-359. doi:10.1080/13648470.2017.1365430
Department of Health and Human Services.HIV: U.S. statistics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ways HIV can be transmitted.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HIV and women: HIV incidence.
National Health Service UK.Sex activities and risk.
Planned Parenthood.What are the disadvantages of condoms?.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Asymptomatic HIV infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. Screening recommendations and considerations referenced in treatment guidelines and original sources.
World Health Organization.HIV drug resistance.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.PrEP effectiveness.
Bachmann LH, Barbee LA, Chan P, et al.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2024;73(2):1-8. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7302a1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Protecting others.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
