SAFE SEX & CONTRACEPTION

Although abstinence may be a viable option for someone, they may also choose to have sex at some point in their life. This can be for a variety of reasons: to reproduce, as part of a relationship, as a form of pleasure, or many others! When or why a person decides to have sex is completely personal, but it is important to know how to have sex safely and responsibly in order to avoid complications such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or unplanned pregnancies, and to make the experience as comfortable and pleasurable as possible for everyone involved.

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Sexual intercourse may involve the exchange of sexual fluids, skin-to-skin contact, etc, and sometimes, this can lead to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. However, there are steps that can be taken to better protect ourselves when we engage in sexual activities. There are products like condoms, dental dams, and more that can help minimize the exchange of sexual fluids or skin-to-skin contact, which may help prevent the spread of STDs. Since these methods can prevent the exchange of sexual fluids (like condoms, for example), they can also play a role in contraception (preventing pregnancy). Methods to make sex safer and better for one’s personal goals are an important part of the conversation that needs to be had when having sex. Talking to your partner about what your family planning goals are, and about how to be safe while have sex is a necessary step to make sure that all concerns are addressed. Here are some ways to make sex safer: 

 

Barriers: One way to make sex safer is through the use of products that act as barriers and prevent the exchange of sexual fluids or skin-skin contact with your partners genitals. 

 

• Condoms are thin pouches made of latex, plastic, or sometimes other materials that cover the penis while having penetrative intercourse. They limit the skin-to-skin contact between the genitals, which can help prevent the spread of STDs. They also catch sexual fluid like semen, which can prevent pregnancy. However, it is important to note that condoms are not 100% effective in preventing STDs or pregnancy, so it is still important to stay alert and monitor one’s sexual health. 

• Internal condoms work similarly to external condoms, but instead of going on the penis, they go inside of the vaginal cavity or anal cavity. They still limit the skin-skin contact and transfer of sexual fluids, so they are a great option for having safe sex!

• Dental dams are thin sheets of latex that can be placed over the vulva or anus when engaging in oral sex to prevent the contact of sexual fluids or genital skin. This can help to prevent STDs. 

• Using latex or nitrile gloves can also limit skin-skin contact and prevent STDS!

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Although these methods are all great ways to have safer sex, they are not completely foolproof. So it is still important to practice other habits to keep yourself healthy:

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• Wash your hands/sex toys/etc to prevent the transfer of sexual fluids! 
   

• Get regularly tested for STDs, and have regular visits with your doctors, whether you are showing symptoms or not. Sometimes an STD may not present symptoms, but it can still be spread, so it’s important to stay cautious to prevent the spread. 
   

• Perform sexual acts that don’t require contact or don’t involve the transfer of fluids like mutual masturbation, dry humping etc. This can also be a great way to explore and express your sexuality. 
   

 

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