Safe Sex

 

Sexual intimacy does not necessarily include sexual intercourse. In deciding whether to engage in intimate sexual relations, including intercourse, you may consider cultural, ethical, religious, moral, and psychological factors as well physical ones. Many people choose to abstain from sexual intercourse. People may choose varying levels of sexual intimacy. You should not feel pressured to engage in sexual intercourse or any other sexual activity; what is right for you is the level of sexual intimacy with which you feel comfortable, whether than means none, holding hands, intercourse, or any of a mind-boggling variety of other forms of sexual activity.

Deciding to become sexually intimate with a partner can be a big step to take in a relationship, especially since, for many people, having sex involves an emotional commitment as well as a physical one. The decision to become sexually intimate with another person must also be considered in light of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that are prevalent among college students; many times infections may be asymptomatic, so someone may transmit the disease to another person unknowingly.

Becoming pregnant is also a fear in heterosexual relationships. Only a barrier method, like condoms or dental dams, can reduce the likelihood of the transmission of HIV and certain other STDs. Abstinence is the only completely effective method of preventing STDs, HIV and pregnancy. If you do choose to be sexually active, practicing safer sex, along with maintaining open communication with your partner, can reduce the risks discussed here. Engaging in sexual intercourse can potentially be scary or dangerous ; discussing both the emotional and physical risks of sex and deciding with your partner how best to minimize those risks can be empowering and can make for an even more intimate sexual experience.

Practicing safer sex doesn't mean eliminating sex from your life. What safer sex does mean is being smart and staying healthy. It means showing love, concern, and respect for partners and for self. Safer sex means enjoying sex to the fullest without transmitting, or acquiring, sexually related infections. There are numerous sexually transmissible diseases; the consequences of some, like HIV and syphilis, may be deadly. All of them are caused by micro-organisms which pass between partners during particular sexual activities.  Safer sex means reducing the chance of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

One of the most common reasons of sexual dysfunctions and low sexual desire is fear. The fear can be related to getting hurt, becoming pregnant, or getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD).Practicing safe sex, can help you protect yourself from an unwanted pregnancy or an STD.

General Tips to Safe Sex

Practice sex only in a monogamous relationship. Switching partners frequently will put you more at risk of contracting an STD.

Know your partners sexual history before engaging in sexual activity with this person.

Avoid sexual encounters if you or your partner have been exposed to risky sexual activity and resume sexual encounters only when the potentially infected person has been medically tested.

Wash your genitals after sexual contact to reduce STD risks.

Urinate immediately after intercourse to help flush out germs.

Do not have sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs since this may lead you to practice risky unsafe sex.

Use condoms for vaginal and anal intercourse and oral sex, making sure to follow the correct condom instructions.

General Condom Tips

Use a condom every time you have a sexual encounter.

Check the exipry date on the package of your condom.

Open the condom packaging with care and beware of long nails.

Use a spermicide with the condom or buy a condom that has already been treated with spermicide. Spermicide helps protect against both pregnancies and STD's like like HIV, chlamydia, herpes and gonorrhea.

Put the condom on during foreplay to avoid forgetting it and to avoid contact with any pre-ejaculatory fluid.

Leave about half an inch of space at the condom tip and roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis.

After ejaculation and just before the penis relaxes, remove the condom holding it firmly around the base to avoid spillages.

Use a fresh condom every time sex is repeated. Never ever reuse a condom.

Store your condoms in a cool place and do not expose to sunlight.

Do not use oil based lubricants on condoms (eg: vaseline, massage oils) since this can corrode the condom. Go for water based lubricants like KY jelly instead

Please have fun & stay safe at the same time!! Hugs~~Echo