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Can I Get HIV If I’m a Top?
Is it safer or is that a myth?
Diane Anderson-Minshall is CEO and editorial director of Pride Media, the parent company of PRIDE, Out, The Advocate, Plus, and Out Traveler.
Diane Anderson-Minshall is CEO and editorial director of Pride Media, the parent company of PRIDE, Out, The Advocate, Plus, and Out Traveler.
Actually, there’s some truth to the assumption that “tops” (that is the insertive partner in anal or vaginal sex) get HIV less. The insertive partner in both anal and vaginal sex is indeed less likely to contract HIV. In the case of two men having anal sex, “tops” have 86 percent reduction in HIV transmission, according to a 2012 study.
But, even if you're much less likely to get HIV by being on top during anal sex, that means men who top can still get HIV from condomless sex unless they are on PrEP or their partner is HIV-negative or HIV-positive and virally supressed by medication.
