All sex workers have the right to feel safe at work. However, because sex work is not legally recognized as a profession in Portugal, many sex workers face greater exposure to violence, discrimination, and abuse, and often have fewer protections and support mechanisms available to them.
Violence does not have to be part of your work. For this reason, we consider it important to address some strategies you can adopt to reduce the risks of violence in your work, whether it is performed indoors (apartments, hotels, etc.) or on the street.
If you experience any situation involving violence, do not hesitate to seek help to ensure your safety and to report the situation you went through.
Any client can become violent at any time.
Even if you have known them for a long time, you should never let your guard down.
It's important to show that you're in control of the situation, doing so in the most politically correct, assertive and pleasant way possible.
Don't wear anything that could be used against you:
Leading health organisations emphasise that the first line of treatment for disorders such as anxiety and depression should be psychological support from a qualified professional.
However, we still see the indiscriminate use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, often as self-medication, which can make the situation even more dangerous.
Any professional activity can affect your mental health, and sex work is no exception. In fact, the prejudice and discrimination that sex workers often face can take a toll on mental health, so it’s important to pay attention to early signs and seek help as soon as possible.
If you feel anxious or depressed, the best option is to seek help from a professional who can provide you with the necessary support. Most teams that support sex workers also offer psychological support.
Sex workers may sometimes use stimulants or aphrodisiacs, as sexual performance is a key part of their work. Before using these substances, it’s important to understand both their potential benefits and the risks involved.
Sexual stimulants are commonly used by cis and trans people of all genders. The goal is always the same: to sustain sexual activity for longer and with greater intensity.
Both male and female genitals are vascularised organs and depend on circulatory health to function properly. An erection occurs through physical or mental sexual stimulation and results in increased blood flow to the penis or clitoris. It's true! The vagina also experiences an erection similar to that of the penis.
Erection can be affected by several factors, and anything that causes a decrease in blood flow in the arteries that supply the penis can cause erectile dysfunction:
If you experience erectile difficulties or want to maintain sexual performance, you can use sexual stimulants. However, it’s important to consult a doctor to ensure the treatment is effective and carries minimal risk.
In general, the side effects associated with taking sildenafil are:
Exceeding the recommended dose can cause prolonged erections lasting more than 4 hours, along with rapid heartbeat and cold sweats.
For people with heart or vascular conditions, or those taking coronary vasodilators, this medication is not recommended, as it can cause more severe effects.
The use of Viagra and similar medications is not yet recommended for cis women, although some recent studies suggest that sildenafil may help improve female sexual dysfunction, such as low arousal or difficulty reaching orgasm.
Natural sexual stimulants
There are several natural supplements on the market that may improve sexual performance, but some of these products can contain traces of compounds similar to those found in Viagra.
Here are some natural substances that can enhance sexual performance with fewer risks:
Peruvian Maca – has a vasodilating effect and improves blood circulation in the pelvic area.
Ginseng – helps with erections and increases libido. This root promotes blood vessel dilation and circulation, helping to reduce symptoms of sexual dysfunction.
Tribulus Terrestris – has a vasodilating effect and can support longer-lasting erections. It is also a natural option for boosting libido in both sexes, as it may support testosterone production.
Why do we exercise our whole body but not our sexual organs? These organs are made up of muscles that can be trained, strengthened, and improved just like any other muscle group.
Pelvic exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, can improve sexual performance for both men and women.
To locate your pelvic muscles, try this test:
While urinating, try to hold your urine for about 10 seconds. Repeat three times. The muscles you use to stop the flow are the same ones you will exercise.
To strengthen these muscles:
Perform about 30 contractions per session.
Alternate slow sets with faster sequences.
Always pair each contraction with relaxation.
Repeat for 5 to 10 minutes per day.
The penile muscles can also be exercised by practising delaying orgasm during masturbation. These techniques do not cure erectile dysfunction, but they can complement the use of stimulants.
Transgender people are often familiar with hormone treatments and should have access to clear information about the benefits and risks of self-medicating with high doses of hormones.
Through hormone treatments, both trans men and trans women can achieve the appearance they consider most appropriate for their gender.
In Portugal, you can access consultations for gender reassignment at private clinics or through the National Health System, where the process may take longer but is free of charge.
Estrogen and testosterone are sex hormones that regulate sexual characteristics, but they also have psychological effects.
Testosterone increases libido, and the desire to have sex will be greater and the experience more intense.
If you are a trans woman and a sex worker, taking estrogen can cause complications. It may reduce the intensity of erections and decrease penis size. You may also experience stronger emotional reactions, such as increased crying or mood swings. Avoid taking high doses of estrogen alongside sexual stimulants, as this can lead to liver problems.
A trans woman, taking oestrogen, may experience the following changes:
Oestrogen can be taken by injection, transdermally through patches, or orally.
The main side effects associated with the use of this hormone include:
In general, we can say that testosterone in trans men has the following effects:
Testosterone supplements can be taken by injection, transdermally through patches or gel, or orally.
The main side effects associated with the use of this hormone include:
Taking steroids to tone the body can cause health problems. Steroids may lead to:
Any injections must be administered by specialised personnel using sterile equipment and within the prescribed time frame. Do not share injectable equipment due to the risk of infection with HIV, hepatitis C and B.
You can make appointments at Júlio de Matos Hospital and Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon, at the Psychiatry Service of Coimbra Hospitals, and in Porto at São João Hospital, Santo António Hospital, or Magalhães Lemos Hospital. Check our map to see which associations can also offer support.
Working during your period can be difficult in any industry, but as a sex worker, this time of the month can be especially complicated because, in addition to the pain, you need to hide the blood loss and avoid staining your bed and sheets.
Find out how you can overcome these challenges.
As a sex worker, if you experience very painful periods with heavy bleeding, it’s best to take a few days off work — although this is not always possible. Without social support, many workers cannot afford to stop working for a couple of days each month..
To get around this situation, you can try to adapt your work pace and take fewer bookings to make this phase as comfortable as possible. You can also take bookings that do not include vaginal sex.
It is always important to respect your body and mind and maintain your health.
One of the most common methods to prevent blood loss during sexual intercourse is the use of sponges.
An alternative is to use a diaphragm. This is a less common method, but it carries fewer risks and may even be more effective.
One of the most common ways to manage blood flow is by using sponges that can be inserted into the vagina before a session with a client. These sponges absorb the blood and make it virtually undetectable.
Avoid using body or household cleaning sponges, as they are unsafe and can cause serious infections. Sponges come in different brands, shapes, and sizes, but the most important thing is that they are sold sterile and preferably contain some lubrication.
Whenever possible, take certain precautions when using sponges. Namely:
This method can carry some risks. Sponges are designed to absorb menstrual blood, but they end up absorbing the natural moisture from the vagina, which becomes drier and more sensitive, increasing the risk of irritation. Vaginal dryness can also cause condoms to tear or burst. To reduce this risk and make intercourse more comfortable, you should increase your use of lubricant during this phase, reapplying it whenever necessary.
The sponge can be difficult to remove because after intercourse it tends to be pushed further up.
Do you usually have difficulty removing the sponge? Try these tips:
If this does not work, try relaxing in a bathtub filled with water. This will cause the sponge to absorb water and become heavier. With a little help from gravity and by pushing with your pelvic muscles, the sponge will eventually come out. If you don't have a bathtub, try the same thing in a bidet or basin. Avoid inserting the shower head into your vagina as this can cause wounds and infections.
If you try these techniques and the sponge still won't come out, you should go to an emergency service to have it removed by a gynaecologist. Keeping the sponge inside the vagina for long hours or days increases the risk of infections or even toxic shock syndrome.
Toxic shock syndrome is a group of serious and rapidly developing symptoms, including fever, rash, very low blood pressure, and multiple organ failure. It is caused by toxins produced by bacteria. Using tampons or other sanitary products or having an infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus or group A streptococcus increases the risk of toxic shock syndrome.
The diaphragm is a non-hormonal barrier method of contraception consisting of a silicone disc that is inserted into the vaginal canal to cover the cervix.
This small disc can be adapted so that you can retain your menstrual flow while you work. Contact your gynaecologist to purchase a diaphragm and find out which size is best for you.
With practice, you will get to know your body and it will become easier to insert and remove the diaphragm.
This option is safer than sponges because:
Like the sponge, you should insert the diaphragm before sexual intercourse and remove it immediately afterwards so that blood does not remain in the uterus. After each use, it should be cleaned with soap and water and stored in its carrying case.
The diaphragm can last up to 3 years.
During the menstrual period, many sex workers try to use black or red condoms to better hide any blood loss. When the client withdraws his penis, you should use a tissue or wipe to quickly clean up any blood that has escaped.
Using an internal/female condom can also be a good alternative, as it works a bit like a tampon by preventing blood from flowing down. Just keep in mind that when you remove the internal condom, it no longer contains blood, so you should be in a place where you can clean yourself up.
One way to avoid menstruating is to take hormonal contraceptives such as the pill, ring or patch continuously. This method is effective if the goal is to stop menstruation for a few months. The pills used must be monophasic, otherwise some tablets may not contain oestrogen or progesterone, which can lead to slamm blood loss.
In either case, a risk assessment should be carried out to determine the best option.
The use of alcohol or other drugs affects our conduct, and therefore it is advisable that sex workers refrain from consuming them during working hours.
However, we also know that many sex workers opt to do so in an effort to avoid losing money with certain clients. For this reason, we consider it important to provide you with some tips regarding the consumption of certain substances. If you require further information on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Like anyone else, and for many different reasons, some sex workers use alcohol and other drugs. It’s important to be aware of the risks of using these substances while working:
There are always strategies you can use to reduce the risks of substance use at work:
Some tips are more specific to certain substances, which we explain below.
Eat well before drinking.
Alternate alcohol with water or other non-alcoholic, hydrating drinks.
Avoid mixing different types of alcoholic beverages.
Do not mix alcohol with other substances, whether depressants (such as cannabis or hashish) or stimulants (such as cocaine or sexual stimulants).
Avoid mixing alcohol with antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications.
Measure doses carefully using a syringe or spoon to reduce the risk of overdose. Start with a small dose and wait at least two hours before taking more.
Never mix GHB with other depressants, such as alcohol, heroin, other opioids, or anti-anxiety medications. This combination can be fatal.