All forms of sexual contact carry risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or diseases (STDs).
Safe sex (sometimes called ‘safer’ sex) is about protecting oneself and partners from STIs. Safe sex allows one to stay healthy and in some cases, it can make the sexual experience better.
Sexual activity with one partner is generally believed to be safe, especially when neither party has an STI. But there are a number of medical experts and professionals that believe that ‘safe sex’ does not exist.
They believe that not having sex altogether is the only way to prevent contracting infection. Here are the best tips for safe sex.
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Best tips for safe sex: What should one keep in mind to practice safe sex?
Get to know your partner
Do not jump into sexual relations with a new partner before talking about past partners, history of STIs and/or drug use.
Prioritize consent and communication
The key factors in safe sex are consent and communication. It is important to remember that consent is ongoing, mutual, and free from coercion. Consent can only be obtained through communication.
Use condoms
Condoms are largely believed to protect against STIs. It is important to note that while condoms are preventive for certain diseases like genital warts, syphilis, or HIV, they are not 100% protective.
Proper Vaccinations
Vaccines are effective in preventing diseases such as hepatitis B and HPV.
HPV vaccination is encouraged for children as young as 9 years up to 26 years old. Adults aged 27 to 45 who have not gotten vaccinated before may choose to get it after speaking to their physician regarding their risk for HPV infections.
Vaccination for hepatitis B is also recommended if it had not been done before.
- Have your partner use a condom if engaging in oral sex.
- Ingesting alcohol and/or drugs is strongly discouraged as it increases the odds of participating in high-risk sex.
- Post-intercourse, women should not douche. Douching does not protect against STIs. Instead, it could spread an infection further up the reproductive tract and can destroy the vagina’s natural spermicidal protection.
- Get Pap tests, pelvic exams, and STI tests regularly.
- Be aware of your body and your partner’s. Check for sores, blisters, rashes or abnormal discharge.
What types of risk-free intimacy are there?
For those who opt not to engage in vaginal, oral or anal sex, there are a few risk-free ways to gain sexual pleasure and intimacy with a partner.
One is masturbating. Self-pleasure as it is otherwise called, is touted as a healthy way to experience sexual stimulation and achieve stress and tension relief.
There is also “dry humping’, also known as grinding, with clothes on.
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Some low-risk activities include kissing, touching a partner’s genitals with hands and using sex toys with a partner, and oral sex.
However, as it is still possible to contact STDs through these methods, it is important to use condoms and dams in order to avoid skin and body fluid contact.
Penetrative safe sex
Penetrative sex, or sexual intercourse, is the insertion of a body part or toy inside a person’s front hole, vagina, or anus.
The following are some best tips for safe sex:
- Use a barrier, such as condoms. Barriers are meant to be used only once per sexual activity and per partner. Note that condoms should be placed on an erect penis, otherwise there is a risk of it sliding down. Additionally, be mindful of latex allergies.
- The condom must be worn correctly. Pinch the reservoir tip before rolling the condom over the penis to leave space to collect semen. The condom should be rolled down to the base of the penis such that the barrier is covering the entire organ.
- When removing the condom, make sure that the base ring of the condom is secure to avoid bodily fluids from spilling out and making contact with one’s partner.
- Use only one condom at a time. Using two or more on the same penis at the same time will increase friction and increase the chances that one or both condoms will break.
- Use water-based lubricant. Lubrication lessens the amount of friction on a condom, thus lessening the likelihood of breakage.
- When using a condom for penetrative sex, it may help to apply lube on the front hole, vagina, or anus before insertion. This should decrease pain and friction while increasing pleasure.
Safe sex using toys
Another method of self-pleasure is by using toys, like vibrators and anal beads. They help stimulate body parts internally and externally.
The following are best tips for safe sex using toys.
- Always use a barrier (i.e., latex condoms).
- Toys should not be shared if they have been exposed to bodily fluids like semen, vaginal fluids, saliva, or blood. This is to avoid getting infected with an STI.
- If the toys are indeed for sharing, they must be thoroughly sanitized. Due to the many different materials toys are made from, they need different cleansing methods, whether it be washing with soap and water or boiling in hot water for a period of time.
Key Takeaways
Unprotected sex is highly risky. It is easy to get STDs or STIs this way. Among the best tips for safe sex when engaging in vaginal or anal sex is to use a condom each time.
Lubricant is also a good option for both vaginal and anal sex. Oral sex has a very small possibility of transmitting HIV, but it can pass on a variety of other STIs such as herpes, syphilis, hepatitis B, gonorrhea and HPV.
Some healthcare professionals still vote for abstinence as the foolproof way to avoid STIs, while vaccinations for various viruses and infections are also available.
Learn more about sexual wellness, here.
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