Safer Sex..

 

What is safer sex practices?

Safer sex is all about protecting yourself and your partners from sexually transmitted infections. A safer sex practice is also a behavior that reduces the risk of getting or spreading a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

 

How does safer sex help protect me from STIs?

STDs are infections that are passed from one person to another during sexual activity. Anybody who has oral, anal, vaginal sex, or genital skin-to-skin contact with another person can get STDs.

 

Safer sex practices can include but not limited to the following:

 

One of the best ways is by using a barrier like condoms and/or dental dams every-time  one have oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Barriers cover parts of your genitals, protecting you and your partner from body fluids and some skin-to-skin contact, which can both spread STDs.

 

Abstinence..

This refers to refraining from sexual activity. This is a sure-fire way to eliminate the risk of getting or spreading an STI. However, some STIs can be spread through non-penetrative activities such as body rubbing. Body rubbing can spread genital warts and genital herpes.

 

Solo activities..

When you help yourself there is no chance of getting an STI; these infections are spread from one person to another by microorganisms. Solo activities include watching porn, phone sex, and solo masturbation. However, you can spread an infection you already have to other parts of your body. For example, if you have herpes and touch a herpes sore, you transfer the herpes virus to your hands. If you then touch another part of your body that has a small cut, the virus will enter the cut and infect that area.

 

Negotiate sexual activity with your partner(s).

Negotiating sexual activity means talking to your partner(s) about using barriers (condoms, dental dams), about participating in activities that can spread STIs and about determining if sex outside your relationship is acceptable. If your partner(s) doesn’t wish to use a barrier, then you need to negotiate what sexual activities you will do.

  • Getting consent is part of healthy sexual communication.
  • Properly disinfect shared sex toys..
  • Limit/Reduce numbers of sexual partners…
  • Avoid sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs that would interfere with decision-making or sticking with decisions you have made about sexual activity..
  • Get tested for ST|
  • Get treated for STI if there’s any…
  • Get vaccinated against STIs…
  • Getting vaccinated will greatly reduce your risk of getting infected.

Vaccinations are available for some STI like Hepatitis.