Sex can be fun, but it should also be safe. Without trying to sound too much like a high school Sex-Ed class, when it comes to safe sex, abstinence is the only real guarantee you have for being 100% safe. There are however, a lot of helpful safe sex tips you can use to keep yourself, and your partner, as safe as possible when sex is part of your relationship.
Safe Sex Tip - Limit Your Sexual Partners
Every time you have sex with someone, you are exposing yourself to certain risks. By limiting your sexual partners you are reducing the chances of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This can mean only being sexually active with one person at a time in a monogamous relationship, or just taking some extra time getting to know someone before deciding to go to bed together.
The fewer partners you have, the fewer risks there are. So before you decide to have sex with someone, make sure it's really worth it.
Safe Sex Tip - Discussing Your Sexual History
It might not sound very romantic, but discussing sexual history with your partner is important. Ideally, this would take place before you decide to have sex. If your partner refuses to discuss their sexual history, you might want to reconsider engaging in any sexual activity that could put your health and life at risk.
Hopefully, your partner respects you enough to be honest about their sexual past. Likewise, it's also your responsibility to be honest about your sexual history and tell your partner any information about prior STDs or related issues you have experienced
Don't be afraid to ask (and answer) questions such as:
- How many people have you had sex with?
- Have you ever had an STD? If so, what was it and how was it cured?
- If you have an STD that is incurable, what steps do I need to take to protect myself?
- Have you ever had unprotected sex?
Hopefully your partner is willing to answer these questions truthfully. If your partner answers these questions in any way that concerns you, you might want to reconsider having sex or ask them if you can both go for STD tests together. If your partner agrees but you both don't want to wait for the results, use a condom until you receive the results from your tests.
Safe Sex Tip - Using Protection and Safe Sex Supplies
By using protection, you can still have sex while feeling assured you are doing your best to protect yourself and your partner. While nothing is 100%, barriers, such as condoms, provide you the best possible protection from acquiring an STD during intercourse.
Condoms can be made from different materials, so it is important to know which material works best. Condoms made from animal skin will not protect you from spreading or acquiring sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms that are made from latex or polyurethane are the only ones that can stop STD viruses from passing through.
If you use a condom, it is also important that you use it properly. An improperly fitted condom can be torn, making it ineffective in preventing STDs or an unwanted pregnancy. When purchasing condoms, be sure to check the package to ensure it's not ripped or torn as well as checking the condom's expiration date.
Another type of barrier you might wish to consider is one that is used for oral sex, usually called a dental dam. A dental dam is a square or rectangular piece of latex you or your partner can put over your mouth when engaging in oral sex. This will prevent fluids from passing between you and your partner.
Another form of protection that women should use is a water-based lubricant. Products such as K-Y Jelly will help prevent the tearing of skin during sexual intercourse, which can also help prevent you from acquiring an STD. When there is a lack of lubrication, the delicate tissue inside the vagina or anus is at risk of being torn. Even small tears during sexual intercourse can allow an STD to enter your bloodstream.
Women should also avoid douching. This process can cause the organisms in the vaginal area to become unbalanced, increasing the risk of contracting an STD.
You can also protect yourself by avoiding sexual contact if you or your partner are showing symptoms of an infection or are being treated for an STD. If either of you has herpes, then sexual intercourse should be avoided whenever a blister is present or if you feel like an outbreak is coming on. STDs like herpes can be spread even without any physical symptoms, so if you or your partner has genital herpes, you'll need to use a condom every time you have sex.
Protecting yourself means you need to be prepared ahead of time. By keeping safe sex supplies like condoms, dental dams, and lube on-hand, you will always be ready for an intimate encounter.
Risks of Having Unprotected Sex
There are many risks to having unprotected sex. Remember, it is much easier to prevent a sexually transmitted disease than it is to treat one. Infections can often be permanent or difficult to treat. Some sexually transmitted diseases can even be fatal, especially if they go untreated. STDs not only carry health risks but emotional ones as well.
Acquiring an STD is often accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame. The same is true if your partner acquires an STD. Negative feelings are bound to happen and could really damage your self-esteem and your relationship. It's important to remember that you should always take care of yourself by engaging in safe sex whenever possible. In the event that you do acquire an STD, seek treatment immediately and understand that just because you've been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease does not mean you are a "bad" or less-worthy person.
Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Some STDs are caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotic medicines.
They include:
- Syphilis (produces an ulcer on the genitals and if untreated can lead to further serious health problems)
- Chlamydia (can damage a woman's reproductive organs, leading to infertility if left untreated)
- Gonorrhea (bacteria from this disease can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes and anus)
If these diseases are left untreated, you can develop further complications. Females in particular can develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which could also lead to infertility.
Other STDs are caused by viruses. These can lead to more life-threatening ailments. They include:
- Genital warts (which in women can develop into cervical cancer)
- Hepatitis B or C (may eventually result in liver failure and eventually, the need of a liver transplant)
- Herpes (non-curable with breakouts occurring throughout your lifetime)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV (non-curable and can lead to AIDS, which can be fatal)
Besides acquiring an STD, women are also at risk of becoming pregnant if they have unprotected sex. If you are not ready to have a baby, you can avoid the many problems that will result from an unwanted pregnancy-including making difficult decisions, and living with the results-by always using a condom. It's important to note that birth control pills, shots, rings, etc. will not prevent the spread of STDs, so you'll need to use a condom every time you have sex, even if you are currently on birth control.
Some people think that by practicing safe sex you are taking away the thrill and excitement-and spontaneity-of having sex in the first place. What's important to remember is that safe sex is just as fun as unprotected sex, and afterwards you won't have to worry about diseases, unwanted pregnancies, and the emotional effects of unprotected safe.
Plus, there are all kinds of creative ways to incorporate condoms and other safe sex items into your sexual play to keep the excitement going. After all, being able to enjoy sex without worrying about all the dangerous stuff that can go along with it really makes safe sex the best sex you can have.
