How to Have Safe Sex?

What Does Safe Sex Mean?

Sexual activity or contact that involves the use of contraceptives and barriers to reduce the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy is referred to as safe sex.

What Sexual Practices Are Unsafe?

• Unprotected insertive sex.

• Unprotected receptive sex.

• Unprotected oral intercourse.

• Unprotected anal sex.

• Unprotected sex with sexually transmitted infections.

• Withdrawal of the penis before ejaculation instead of using a condom, pre-ejaculate is potentially infectious and also it carries sperm that can lead to pregnancy.

• Sex with multiple partners.

• Sex Under Influence: Having sex when inebriated is potentially dangerous as it could lead to risky sexual behavior.

Who Is Responsible for Engaging in Safe Sexual Activity?

Men and women are equally responsible for remembering to use protective barriers such as male and female condoms, oral contraceptives, latex gloves, and dental dams.

How Can Safe Sex Be Practiced?

1. Use Protection:

• Oral Sex: Use a condom, plastic wrap, or a dental dam.

• Vaginal Sex: Use a male or female condom.

• Anal Sex: Use a male or female condom.

2. Abstinence: When the sexual history of one's partner is questionable or unknown, or condoms are unavailable, it is better to avoid having sex altogether.

In such cases, safer intimacy can be established by:

• Kissing.

• Nonsexual massages.

• Masturbation of oneself or each other.

• Phone sex.

3. STI Screening: Undergoing regular check-ups and screening for STI.

4. Avoid Sex After Substance Use: Avoid having sex when drunk or on drugs - condoms may be forgotten, or risky sexual behavior might be engaged in.

What Is a Condom?

Condoms are physical barriers worn to prevent the exchange of bodily fluids, including blood, semen, and vaginal fluids, between sexual partners. They are usually made of either latex or polyurethane. Condoms must be used from the beginning to the end of sexual activity since even pre-ejaculate can cause STI transmission. Every sexual encounter or activity requires a new, lubricated condom. If using extra lubricant, ensure that water-based lubricant is used, particularly with latex condoms. All other lubricants (oil-based, petroleum-based) can damage latex condoms and cause breakage. Exercise caution when tearing off the condom wrapper and handling the condom, as accidental tearing of the condom with long nails or teeth can render the condom ineffective.

What Are the Differences Between Male and Female Condoms?

Should Condoms Be Used During Non-penetrative Sex?

Condoms or other specifically-designed barriers should be used for all forms of sex:

• Oral Sex: Use a dental dam (a latex sheet) to cover the genital area in females during oral sex.

• Penetrative Digital Sex: Use a latex glove when penetrating the vagina or anus with the fingers.

• Sex Toys: Use condoms on penetrative sex toys and other barriers or sheets on non-penetrative sex toys.

Are Condoms Effective?

No barrier is 100 % effective, including condoms. This is why safe sex is also often referred to as safer sex. This implies that safe sex using condoms or other barriers is relatively but not wholly safe. Condoms do not provide complete genital coverage. Unfortunately, this means that certain infections are still transmissible due to intimate skin contact. These include herpes, genital warts, and scabies.

Certain practices can decrease condom effectiveness.

These include:

• Reusing a condom - condoms are meant for single use only.

• Using expired condoms.

• Improper storage of condoms.

• Using the wrong lubricant (oil-based instead of water-based).

What Is a Diaphragm and How Effective Is It?

A diaphragm is a barrier worn by women - it is available as a cap placed high in the vagina and covers the cervical area. Diaphragms can prevent pregnancy but are not quite so effective at preventing STIs.

Is It Safe to Have Sex During Pregnancy?

Sex during pregnancy is entirely safe and allowed unless otherwise specified by the doctor or nurse. It does not increase the risk of early labor or miscarriage. However, when engaging in sex during the later stages of pregnancy, orgasms may cause contraction of the womb muscles. These are called Braxton-Hicks contractions and are not a cause for worry. They usually pass after a while. However, if there are complications in the pregnancy, the doctor may advise abstinence from sex.

Some of the contraindications to having sex when pregnant could include:

• Heavy bleeding during pregnancy.

• Being pregnant with twins may increase the risk of early labor if sex is attempted.

• Previous history of early labor and delivery.

• Being in the third trimester of pregnancy.

• Cervical Incompetency: Premature opening of the cervix.

• Placenta Previa: When the placenta wholly or partially covers the cervical opening.

How to Have Safe Sex While Pregnant?

Protected sex during pregnancy is essential if:

• One or both partners is not monogamous.

• One chooses to have sex with a new partner during pregnancy.

Complete abstinence from sex is recommended if:

• One's partner is actively affected by a sexually transmitted infection.

How to Have Safe Sex When Affected With a Sexually Transmitted Disease?

• Get Tested: Both partners must get tested for STIs before getting sexually involved or becoming sexually active.

• Be Honest: Honest discussions on STIs and sexual histories or other information relevant to sex are essential.

• Good Hygiene: Wash hands before and after sex, and urinate after sex to avoid urinary tract infections.

• Use Protection: Always use protective barriers during sexual activity, particularly if affected with STIs.

What Is PrEP?

PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis refers to medications that can be taken by people who are not affected by HIV but may be at risk of contracting it. Drugs approved by the FDA for PrEP include:

• Emtricitabine or Tenofovir alafenamide.

• Emtricitabine or Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.

These drugs reduce the risks of contracting HIV from both sexual contact and needles.

Side effects of PrEP:

• Nausea.

• Diarrhea.

• Stomach pain.

• Headache.

• Tiredness or fatigue.

Is It Safe to Have Sex While Menstruating?

• Having sex when menstruating does not actively pose any direct risks. Period blood is not infectious by itself. However, it is possible to transmit infections through menstrual blood. Sexually transmitted diseases like hepatitis and HIV are caused by viruses that live in the blood. These viruses can be transmitted to partners through menstrual blood. Use a condom to prevent transmission of STIs through menstrual blood.

• Another aspect of sex during menstruation that might be unsafe is tampons. Tampons can get pushed up too far into the vagina during sex and may require a doctor's intervention for removal.

When Is It Safe to Have Sex After Giving Birth?

The recommended waiting period for sex after birth is about 4 weeks to 6 weeks. This gives the body time to heal and prevents post-delivery complications that are likely to occur in the first two weeks. Sex after delivery may cause pain and tenderness, in that case pain relief, lubrication, and alternatives to vaginal sex may be helpful.

Possibility of Pregnancy: Although sex immediately after delivery is relatively safe, especially in breastfeeding women who have not resumed menstruating, it is still advisable to use birth control.

Recommended birth control methods include:

• Contraceptive implants.

• Contraceptive pills containing only progestin.

• Copper or hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs).

What Strategies Are Required to Prevent Unsafe Sex?

Unsafe sex can only be prevented if knowledge about what constitutes unsafe sex exists and if this knowledge encourages people to switch to safer sex practices.

Some considerations to prevent unsafe sex include:

• Preventive Strategies: Encourage the use of condoms and other protective methods.

• Educational Strategies: Create awareness through educational talks, counseling sessions, and discussions.

• Public Health Strategies: Community interventions and empowerment activities, group workshops.

• Social and Behavioral Support: Relationship support, educating peers, providing information and support through media such as videos and audios.

What Are the Consequences of Unsafe Sex?

Unsafe or unprotected sex can lead to:

• Pregnancy.

• Sexually transmitted infections.

• Stress.

• Anxiety.

• Increased susceptibility to other STIs in people with HIV.

• Drug resistance in people with HIV.

What to Do in Case of Unsafe Sex?

• Immediately After Sex: Urinate immediately after sex to flush out bacteria and toxins - this may lower the chances of developing a urinary tract infection.

• Up to 72 Hours After Sex: Take an emergency contraceptive pill if there is a chance that pregnancy may occur.

• Within Five Days: Getting a copper intrauterine device (IUD) inserted can prevent pregnancy after unsafe sex. This may be the preferred option if the 72-hour window has passed or if the woman is on the heavier side.

• After Two Weeks: Get tested for STIs 2 weeks after engaging in unprotected sex.

• After Three Weeks: Get a pregnancy test done in 3 weeks, it will provide enough time for the hCG hormone that helps detect pregnancy to build up in the body.

What Are Some Myths Regarding Safe Sex?

• Condoms provide 100 % effective and safe protection: Condoms do not cover the entire genital area, hence there is no assurance that they do prevent all STIs. They may also break or tear, leading to an increased risk of STI transmission and pregnancy.

• Douching prevents pregnancy and STIs: Douching increases pregnancy and STI transmission risks since it pushes semen and microbes farther into the vagina.

• Emergency contraceptive pills will prevent pregnancy: Contraceptive morning-after pills do not prevent pregnancy but they delay ovulation. If pregnancy has already occurred, they are ineffective.

• Pulling out before ejaculation is an effective safe sex method: Pulling out rather than wearing a condom is ineffective and unsafe. Pre-ejaculate can cause infections and pregnancy. In addition, pulling out too soon or in haste can cause pain and hurt one or both partners.

• Reusing a condom is an acceptable practice: Condoms are designed only for single-use and may break due to friction if used for sexual intercourse multiple times.

Conclusion:

Despite established patterns and rules to safe sex, many people are unaware of these. Understanding the importance of safe sex and learning how to practice safe sex is necessary for a good sex life. It is quite easy to understand. Safe sex not only protects partners but will also improve the quality of sex.