
#3: Depending too much on the “pull-out method”
Many teens and young adults believe that pulling the penis out before ejaculation is effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy and STIs. However, experts emphasize that this is extremely high-risk sexual behavior. The things that make the pull-out method one of the worst unsafe sex practices are:
It’s hard to pull out in time. Men need to pull out just around the time when the pleasure is reaching its peak. For this reason, many plan to pull out but can’t in the heat of the moment.
Premature ejaculation is possible. Premature ejaculation happens when a man ejaculates before he’s ready or realizes that it’s happening.
“Precum” is not risk-free. Pre-ejaculate or “precum” can transmit the bacteria and viruses that cause STDs like syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV. Male reproductive organs can sometimes leak a bit semen into the precum, thus increasing the chances of unwanted pregnancy during unsafe sex.
For these reasons, experts encourage people to stop employing the pull-out method and to use either an internal or external condom during sex.
#4: Not getting your vaccines
One of the more surprising unsafe sex practices is engaging in sex without vaccinations against STIs. While there’s no vaccine that can protect you from all sexually transmitted diseases, some vaccines can safely and effectively prevent Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and HPV infections.
Hepatitis A and B cause liver inflammation and can produce symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness, and fever. When left untreated, it also increases the person’s risk of developing liver scarring (cirrhosis). HPV, on the other hand, is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women and is linked to genital warts.
Talk to your doctors about the following:
HPV vaccine. Pre-teens aged 9 to 12 years old can start with their HPV vaccinations. If you missed it during that time, you could get it through the ages of 13 to 26.
Get Hepatitis A and B vaccines. Most of us got our Hepatitis A and B vaccines when we were still babies. But if you haven’t received it yet, consult your doctor. There are available Hepatitis A/B combination vaccines given in 3 doses over 6 months.
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