Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this app made for?
The Bigger Blacker Book is made for men who have sex with men — and for anyone who wants a more thoughtful, sex-positive way to manage their sexual health. It’s designed around real lives, real choices, and real experiences. Everyone’s sexual health looks different, so the app is intentionally flexible and customizable to fit you, not the other way around.
What does the Bigger Blacker Book do?
At its core, the app helps you keep track of encounters, partners, STI screenings, and medications — all in one private place. You can log dates, locations, activities, notes, and patterns over time. The goal isn’t to judge or restrict you — it’s to help you stay informed, prepared, and confident in your choices.
Why do you let me customize so much?
Because sexual health is deeply personal. What matters to you might not matter to someone else — and vice versa. The Bigger Blacker Book lets you customize activities, ratings, displays, and workflows so the app reflects your priorities. We believe better tools come from flexibility, not rigid rules.
What’s the difference between a Screening and a Treatment?
A Screening usually means you got tested and received results — and possibly treatment. A Treatment is for times when you received medication or care without a formal test. Both matter for understanding your health history, so the app supports tracking each one clearly and separately.
Why do some activities show up in red text?
Activities commonly understood to carry higher risk are highlighted visually to make them easier to spot. This isn’t about shame — it’s about awareness. You can fully customize these risk indicators in Settings > Configure Database > Activities if your understanding or preferences differ.
Can I duplicate an encounter or screening?
Yes. If you have similar encounters or repeat screenings, duplication saves time. Just tap the “…” menu on an encounter or screening and select Duplicate. Many users rely on this to keep logging quick and painless.
How do I merge activities if I’ve tracked the same thing twice?
If you’ve accidentally created duplicate activities, you can merge them. Go to Settings > Configure Database, tap the “…” next to an activity, and select Merge Activity. Your historical data stays intact — it just gets cleaner.
What do the activity counters mean inside an encounter?
The counters track how many times an activity happened during an encounter — but there’s no “correct” number. Some people count condom use per encounter, others per act. The important thing is consistency. The app adapts to how you think.
What is a Challenge Rating?
Challenge Rating is a customizable field you can use however you like — for example, to note emotional intensity, physical difficulty, or personal boundaries. It defaults to a 1–20 scale, but you can create your own rating systems in Settings > Configure Database.
Questions New Users Often Ask
Is this app judging me or telling me what I should do?
Not at all. The Bigger Blacker Book is built on harm reduction and sex positivity. It doesn’t score you, shame you, or tell you what’s “right.” It simply helps you understand your history and make informed choices — on your terms.
Do I have to log everything?
Nope. You log what feels useful to you. Some people track every encounter. Others only log screenings, medications, or certain partners. The app works whether you’re detailed or minimal.
Is my data private?
Yes — privacy is foundational. Your sexual health data belongs to you. The app is designed so you stay in control of what’s stored, what’s shared, and what stays private. We use strong encryption to keep your data safe on the device. We don't have any personal or identifying information on our servers. If you opt-in to sending anonymous, aggregate data to public health agencies, we will ensure that only basic information about your sexual behavior is sent, such as the city, state and country your encounters were in, how many people you were with, age ranges (not specific ages), and whether or not protection or prophylactics were used.
Can I use this even if I’m in a relationship?
Absolutely. Many users are partnered, open, poly, or somewhere in between. The app isn’t about how many people you’re seeing — it’s about staying aware, healthy, and honest with yourself and your partners.
What if I’m not great at remembering details?
That’s literally why this app exists. Notes, photos, timelines, and patterns help fill in the gaps when memory fades. You don’t need perfect recall — just a place to put things when they happen.
Is this only about HIV?
No. HIV is important, but it’s not the whole picture. The Bigger Blacker Book supports tracking STI screenings, medications, prevention tools like PrEP, and broader sexual health patterns. It’s about the full context of your health.
Will this replace my doctor?
No — and it’s not meant to. Think of it as a companion. It helps you arrive at appointments informed, prepared, and confident — with your history already organized.
Is this app only useful if I’m very sexually active?
Not at all. Whether you’re very active, occasionally active, or somewhere in between, understanding patterns over time can still be valuable. The app adapts to your life, not the other way around.
What if my needs change over time?
That’s expected. Your sexual health evolves, and the app is built to evolve with you. You can change what you track, how you track it, and what matters most — anytime.
Why should I choose this app over notes, spreadsheets, or memory?
Because sexual health deserves better tools. Notes get messy. Memory fades. Spreadsheets don’t understand context. The Bigger Blacker Book is built specifically for real sexual lives — with care, nuance, and respect.
Is this app really for me?
If you care about your health, your partners, and your community — and you want tools that respect your autonomy and privacy — then yes. This app was built by someone who lived it, for people living it now.