Safe Sex Tips and Guidance

Posted on November 12, 2007 in Health-Sex

If you want to practice safer sex it does not mean you have to eliminate sex from your life. Safer sex means being smart and staying healthy. It means you have to show love, concern, and respect for your partner and for self.

Safer sex, in the right sense means enjoying sex without transmitting or acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Some sexually transmissible diseases like HIV and syphilis may even cause death. These diseases are caused by micro-organisms which pass between sexual partners during sexual activities.

Safer sex is a set of practices which help in reducing the risk of transmitting STDs. These practices started gaining importance in late 1980s because of AIDS epidemic. Remember that safe sex is about risk reduction, and not complete risk elimination.

Safe Sex Practices
Abstinence

The best way to avoid the risks of getting STDs is to abstain from sex. It eliminates the chances of getting STDs. But it is a difficult practice.

Masturbation

Solitary masturbation is a safe form of sexual activity. It is safe as long as no contact is made with discharged body fluids.

Approaching Sex With Caution

The following methods minimize the risks of STD transmission and unwanted pregnancy.

Monogamy or polyfidelity is very safe when your partner or partners are non-infected. But many monogamous people have been infected with STDs by partners who are sexually unfaithful or have used infected needles.
Discuss with your partner on what activities you will and will not engage in, and also what precautions you have to take. This also reduces the chances of risky decisions during sexual intercourse.
For those who are not monogamous, the best way to reduce the risk of STDs is reducing the number of sexual partners, particularly anonymous partners. The best way is to restrict sexual contact to a community of trusted individuals.
Don’t use of recreational drugs, including alcohol, before and during sexual activity. It protects you against risks such as lowered inhibitions, impaired judgment, and loss of consciousness.

Preventing Fluid Exchange

By using various devices you can avoid contact with blood, vaginal fluid, and semen during sexual intercourse.

Use condoms. It is the best option. Female condoms are also available. They can also be used for anal sex, though they are less effective.
Use dental dam for protection during oral sex. It can be used as a barrier between mouth and vagina during cunnilingus and also between the mouth and the anus during anilingus. It prevents the transmission of virus-sized particles
Medical gloves can be used as an ersatz dental dam during oral sex. It also protects hands during mutual masturbation. Sometimes hands may have invisible cuts on them which may admit pathogens in the semen or in the vaginal fluids of STD infectees.
Outer course forms of penetrations that do not involve a penis can also help have safer sex.

Safe Sex Tips and Guidance

Leave a Reply

Categories

Latest Additions