How to
practice safer sex.
Deciding to
have sex is a big step. It can be scary, nerve-wracking, and--most of
all--super exciting. Practicing safe sex means that you can more easily enjoy
having sex with a new partner, confident in the knowledge that you're
protecting your body and your health, and that you'll be able to have fun
exploring your sexuality with a partner you trust. You need to learn to stay
safe against STDs, unwanted pregnancies, and how to avoid other risky sexual
behaviors.
Staying Safe
Against STDs
1-Get tested
regularly. Go to your doctor or a free clinic
regularly to get screened for HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections or
diseases. Get tested together before entering into a new relationship, and get
tested regularly while you're in relationships, to be on the safe side.
Go with your
partner and do it together if you're nervous. It's not lame to request that
your partner do this enthusiastically and willingly. If your partner is not
willing to practice safe sex, find another partner,
2-Use latex
condoms. Male condoms should be used for any kind
of sex, including vaginal, anal, and oral contact. The male latex condom is
easy to use, efficient, cheap, and widely available for free at Planned
Parenthood locations and other counseling services. Consistently and correctly
using latex condoms during sexual intercourse can reduce the risk of STDs and pregnancy
with up to 99% reliability.
If you’re
allergic to latex, you can also use polyurethane condoms, which offer some
protection against STIs. Natural or lambskin condoms offer reliable protection
against pregnancy, but the material isn’t fine enough to prevent the
transmission of some infections, making them less reliable for that purpose
3-Consider
using a female condom for penetrative vaginal sex. They are effective against most STIs and can help reduce the
chances of pregnancy, though the failure rate is higher than with hormonal
contraception.
You should
never use a female and male condom at the same time, which can cause friction
that will tear one or both of the condoms, making them ineffective.
4-Use a
dental dam for oral sex. Dental dams are latex
sheets, or condoms that have been cut open to form squares, used to reduce the
risk of passing blood and other fluids to the mouth from the genitals. These
are effective in preventing STIs and HIV.
To use a
dental dam, first make sure the latex doesn’t have any holes, tears, or other
damage. Rinse off any cornstarch if necessary, as this can promote vaginal
infection. Cover the genitalia or anus while performing oral sex.
Never switch
back and forth between the vagina and anus without first replacing the dental
dam. Discard after use. Never reuse a dental dam.
5-Understand
that oral and anal sex are also risky. The risk
of infection when having intercourse anally is greater because the skin of the
anus is thinner, making infection and disease transmission more of a
possibility. Likewise, sexually transmitted diseases and infections are transmittable
between the mouth and the genitals, making unprotected oral sex also a risky
behavior.
Preventing
Unwanted Pregnancies
1- Consider
using hormonal birth control. Hormonal
contraception methods regulate a woman’s fertility cycles to prevent pregnancy.
The most common type of hormonal birth control is often referred to as
"the pill" and is taken orally every day. When taken correctly and
regularly, hormonal birth control is 99% effective. If you're interested in
hormonal birth control, talk to your gynecologist about a prescription.
Other
hormonal methods are also available and quite reliable, up to 99% effective.
Hormonal patches and implants can last for several weeks and are quite
effective. Injections of estrogen, progestin or Depo-Provera are also used in
some cases, administered every few months, making them less prone to misuse
than other forms of hormonal contraception. Vaginal hormone rings are typically
worn during the month and removed during menstruation, offering a similar 99% efficiency.
2-Always
take hormonal birth control correctly. Hormonal
birth control is incredibly effective, but only when taken appropriately and
consistently. You need to take your pill at the same time each day, and avoid
smoking, which can increase your blood-pressure and cause dangerous health
concerns.
Pay
attention to how your body responds to the hormones, and discuss any concerns.
It sometimes takes some experimenting to get the right medication.
Set an alarm
on your phone to remind you to take your pill and do it at the same time each
day.
Never skip
your period purposefully by going straight to another pack of birth control.
This can have extremely negative effects on your health and reproductive
system.
3-Consider
other varieties of barrier contraception. The
following methods offer no protection against the transmission of HIV and other
sexually-transmitted diseases, but are somewhat effective at preventing
pregnancy. Diaphragms, contraceptive sponges, and cervical caps contain
spermicidal gel and are placed over the cervix. These methods of contraception
are typically worn for at least 6 hours after intercourse.
At most,
these methods are about 90% effective, on average, making them somewhat less
reliable than other methods of birth control. The fact that they offer no
protection against STDs and are typically more difficult to obtain than condoms
makes them a less recommended, but still a useful method
4-Make use
of emergency contraception as a last resort.
Drugs like Plan-B, Next Choice, and Ella can decrease the possibility of
pregnancy by causing a short but strong burst of hormones that prevent
ovulation. Most don’t require a prescription, though some do have age limits
that vary depending on the country and state.
Emergency
contraception is not the same thing as an abortion. Basically, it acts like a
super-charged dose of regular hormonal birth control, and it effects your body
in the same way. It's pregnancy prevention.
5-Use both
birth control and condoms to reduce the risk of pregnancy. Condoms prevent both pregnancy and infections, it's true, but
they're also prone to mistakes, tears, and other accidents. Using other kinds
of contraceptives in addition to condoms is the best way to practice the safest
kind of sex, so you can have fun with your partner in a more worry-free
environment.
Acting Safely
1-Always
take time to talk with your partners before and after sex. Each time you enter into a new sexual relationship, it's
important to take time to talk to your partner before jumping between the
sheets. Be honest about your own sexual experiences and your own desire to
practice safe sex. If your partner doesn't want to practice safe sex, or isn't
forthright with you about their sexual history and experiences, don't have sex
with them.]
You don't
need to have the "numbers" talk, necessarily, but you do need to find
out if your partner has regularly engaged in risky sexual behaviors. Get tested
together before you decide to have sex.
2-Always
make sure sex is consensual. Make sure your partner
is capable of consenting to sex and that both people in the relationship agree
to the sexual activity each and every time. Consenting once doesn't mean consenting
to future sexual encounters, and likewise consenting to one activity in no way
suggests the consent of another. Never assume consent
3-Limit your
number of sexual partners. Try to avoid hook-ups
and one-night-stands with people, especially people you don't know and won't
have contact with. Choose sexual partners smartly to avoid risks, and avoid sex
with anyone who doesn't practice safely and respect your wishes.
When
spontaneous nights happen, you don't need to feel guilty as long as you remember
to be responsible and practice the safe sex you want to have. Carry a few
condoms with you and stay on birth control, even if you're between partners.
It's true
that the only 100% effective method of birth control and preventing diseases
and infections is abstinence. Only have sex with committed, monogamous partners
that you trust.
4-Keep sex
toys clean. Sex toys are lots of fun, but they must
be kept clean and hygienic. Always wash them between uses, and never use one
that you're not sure is clean. A weak solution of disinfectant in a bowl of
water is a cheaper option. Rinse the toys well and be sure to dry them before
storing them in a sealed bag in a clean and dry environment.
5-Know your
body. Learn to recognize the symptoms of sexual transmitted diseases
and infections, and pay attention to your body if you're sexually active.
Boys should
have regular physicals and examinations by a doctor, aside from regular tests.
Make sure you're in good health and nothing is preventing you from enjoying and
exploring your sexuality.
Girls should
schedule regular check-ups with their gynecologists, especially if taking
hormonal birth control. An examination and pap-smear is generally required
every few months to get the prescription renewed
6-Avoid
mixing drugs and alcohol with sex. Having sex
under the influence of drugs or alcohol is never a safe idea. Your safe sex
practices can be compromised and less effective if you're not in your right
mind, and you also put yourself at risk of making poor decisions. Stay safe.
Go to
parties with sober friends who'll be able to monitor you if you plan on getting
a little tipsy. Remember they've got your best interest at heart and listen to
what they say.
Tips
ü Do not use petroleum- or oil-based products, as these will
weaken the condom. There are lots of good water-based lubricants on the market.
ü You should wear a condom to prevent the transmission of STDs and
to prevent pregnancy.
ü Carry condoms with you just in case, but try to avoid keeping
them close to your body (e.g. in your wallet), as heat will accelerate the
breakdown of latex.
ü Sex includes other options besides vaginal and anal sex. Manual
and oral sex also allow for sexual activity without the need for contraception.
Bear in mind that diseases like HIV can still be transmitted over the smallest
injuries in your mouth, for example. Use a condom to be totally safe,
especially if your partner has not been tested for HIV recently.
ü It is a good idea to put on a condom as soon as possible. While
traces of sperm in Cowper's Fluid ("pre cum") are believed to be
unlikely to cause pregnancy, this is essential to prevent the spread or
contraction of STIs.
ü In India condoms are available free of charge from Government
General Hospital and AIDS awareness centers .
ü Before sex, make sure you use a condom for if you don't you
could get pregnant!
For more details & Consultation
Contact us.
Vivekanantha Clinic Consultation
Champers at
Chennai:- 9786901830
Panruti:- 9443054168
Pondicherry:-
9865212055 (Camp)
For appointment please Call us or Mail Us.
For appointment: SMS your Name -Age – Mobile Number -
Problem in Single word - date and day - Place of appointment (Eg: Rajini- 30 -
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