How to Practice Safer Sex

Practicing safer sex is not only prudent for reducing the risks of getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV or unwanted pregnancy, it is also very important in maintaining optimum health, quality lifestyle, and even save your life!!! The only 100% effective way to prevent getting infected is abstinence from engaging in sexual intercourse or activities with another sexual partner. This article will give you ways to practice safer sex and to communicate and prevent the risks of being infected or infecting others.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. If you decide to become sexually active and want to engage in sex it is better to educate and equip yourself and your sexual partner about the ways to practice safer sex methods. REMEMBER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARTNERS IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR especially on potentially life changing consequences of contracting infectious diseases from unsafe sexual practices. Our society places so much emphasis and pressures on sex and the pursuit of sex and being the most basic "urge" to satisfy our sexual libido most people find it very difficult to practice abstinence or to stay in monogamous relationships nowadays. Since this is a fact that holds true in our "modern" civilization , then it is more important now to become knowledgeable and to empower ourselves with the tools to protect not just ourselves from acquiring infectious diseases but also to prevent infecting others. Nowadays, there is an abundance of resources where one can obtain information about these subjects. Sites made by organizations such as Planned Parenthood, ASHA and The CDC are filled with safe sex information as well multiple online sites.
2. What is SAFER SEX?.... well it the practice of engaging in sexual contact with your partner that includes using ways and methods, ie, condoms, to reduce the risks of contracting or infecting others with infectious diseases, reduce the risks of unwanted pregnancies, is emotionally safe, respectful and consented to by both consenting partners, and there is no pressure on any one partner to engage in sex if uncomfortable. Safer activities can include kissing, touching, cuddling and using condoms for sexual intercourse. REMEMBER that you are still not 100% protected even if you not engage in direct sexual intercourse because even kissing, petting, or any contact with mucus membranes that line parts of the body with an infectious person will place you at risk for becoming infected or infecting others. For example, genital warts, genital herpes and other STDs can also be passed on during protected sex , ie, using a latex condom, because the condom does not always cover the affected area. Also, Scabies or pubic lice can be passed on just by very close contact.
3. When there is no exchange of bodily fluids from one partner to the other then that can be considered safer sex interactions. Some of these activities can be simple cuddling, closed mouth kissing, hugging, masturbation or sexual fantasies. utilizing sex toys or internet software are also ways to satisfy one's sexual desires. Safer sex is also includes consensual sex and saying NO to "unsafe" sex is your right and your power. NEVER ENGAGE IN SEX IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT IT< OR FEEL PRESSURED, OR COERSED INTO THE ACT... especially if it also involves UNSAFE practices.
4. Sexual activities that are definitely unsafe are engaging in unprotected sex and not using a condom, having anal or vaginal oral sex without a dental dam(dams are latex sheet used for mouth/vagina oral sex) or plastic film covering the exposed area of the genitalia or anal region. Also, having contact with any open lesions or sores and coming into direct contact with bodily fluids, ie, saliva, semen, urine, sweat, and blood in the vagina or open sores or cuts.
5. Our society places so much emphasis and pressures on sex and sexual performance, and we are constantly striving to attain physical "perfection" in order to attract a sexual partner, that we as a society spend millions of dollars each year on pills, cosmetic surgeries, clothes, diets, etc. We have forgotten how to REALLY communicate with each other, to be intimate, close, caring and compassionate people. We have forgotten how to be loving to ourselves and, therefore, unable to truly love another human being. Sex is trivial, superficial, emotionally "baron", cold and meaningless without closeness, caring, compassion and communication. That is why it is so important to ask yourself and your sexual partner questions before engaging in sexual activities, especially for young adults and for those individuals who are contemplating about becoming sexually active for the first time.
   Here some questions to ask yourself ..
   Do you feel ready in yourself to engage in sex? why you want to have sex ?... How does your partner feel? What are your partner's reasons for having sex? Can you talk openly to your partner about your feelings about sex? and vice versa?...do you want to know more about your sexual partner's sexual history ?... sometimes people LIE about their sexual history and will not let you know the truth that they have an STD or HIV/AIDS... the only way to be absolutely sure is to go and see a medical doctor and have the appropriate testing done.
6. If both partners decide they want to engage in sex then be prepared for safer sex...do you have condoms ready ?... are you prepared ?... respect each other? ...REMEMBER you have the power to make your own choices when it comes to your body and to sex. ..NEVER GIVE IT AWAY AND BE PRESSURED INTO HAVING UNSAFE SEX!!!!!

Tips & Warnings

• If the condom breaks during intercourse and you have n=been exposed to semen then become educated about the Emergency contraceptive pills (the 'morning after pill') to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy. Speak with your medical doctor about this to obtain more information.
• Have an STD or HIV testing before having sex with anyone else to avoid passing it on. If you feel like you have been exposed to an infected person then go and seek medical attention and get a check up as soon as possible.
• Take the Sex-Fu challenge : a fun game brought to you by the sexualityandu.ca website from Canada. Learn all about reproductive systems, safer sex and STDs. http://www.sexualityandu.ca/multimedia/games/sexfu/index_e.asp
• Anyone can get HIV/AIDS.
• DO NOT ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY IF YOU HAVE AN STD AND Infections see a medical doctor and get treatment and wait till the doctor tell you are clear to become sexually active again.
• Using a condom is NOT 100% protection against STDs and HIV/AIDS infections
• This article is written to educate and inform the reader and is not a substitute or replacement for seeking professional medical care and attention from your own medical doctor or healthcare professional.