How to Have Safer Sex

When it comes to the subject of safe sex, most people will tell you the best way is to abstain until marriage, or if you have sex wear protection. This will vary with different communities. In some cases, all these rules being imposed on a person can make the situation worse.

Abstaining from sex is the most likely way to avoid catching sexually transmitted disease or unwanted pregnancies. However, not all societies will abide by this concept. Therefore, the responsibility lies with one’s self in order to take the necessary measures to avoid any problems.

Having safe sex is the responsibility of all parties involved. Always use a condom in any circumstance. To ensure you have the best experience during sex, knowledge and practice is a must.

Oral Sex

Having oral sex can carry the same risks of infection. Although considered to be less risky than having unprotected vaginal or anal sex. This is because the mouth is less permeable than the vagina or anal canal. There is also less chance of a tear occurring in the tissue. However, caution should be taken if you have any cuts in the mouth.

Sexually transmitted diseases affect over 40 million people worldwide every year. With these figures, it is surprising to know that one half of sexually active teenagers in the US admitted to not using condoms the last time they had intercourse.

Here are 10 points to remember when having sex with anyone;

Always use condoms made from latex.

Even if you use birth control, always use a condom for backup.

Use condoms to keep sex toys clean when penetrating different areas of the body or having multiple partners.

To prevent cuts during finger penetration, use Latex gloves.

During oral sex, use dental dams to prevent fluid transfer from cuts on the mouth.

Oil based products will destroy latex. Only use water based lubricants.

If you see anything suspicious, don’t go ahead and wait until a doctor gives the all clear.

Keep your mouth clean by brushing and flossing.

When you are with a new partner, avoid ejaculating in their mouth.

Get yourself checked regularly to help protect others.

HIV and AIDS

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It is spread when a person infected with HIV passes it to the bloodstream of another. This can be through semen, vaginal fluid or blood. If there are any breaks in the skin or tissue in the mouth, vagina or rectum, it can enter the bloodstream. It is also known to enter via the tip of the penis.

Once a person is infected, the virus breaks down the body’s immune system. When this happens, the body can no longer fight infections. At this stage, what would be considered as normal and harmless bacterial or viral infections, become life threatening.

In 1997 it was estimated that 2.7 million people worldwide died from the AIDS virus. In the US AIDS is the primary killer of people aged 25-44, and over the last 20 years, half a million people have died as a result of the disease. Every 14 months the number of HIV positive teenagers doubles.

The rapid increase in these numbers stems from the fact that 80% of Americans infected with the virus don’t even know they are carrying it.

During the next century, the first 5 years will see half of all new infections around the world occur in ages 15-19, with the fastest growing infection rates from young women. This is according to information from the World Health Organization.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

While HIV/AIDS poses one of the biggest threats of our time, other sexually transmitted diseases should not be overlooked. If left unchecked, STDs can cause a wide range of medical problems such as birth defects, cancer, infertility or miscarriages, and in many cases, death.

There is also very strong evidence that a person infected with an STD is at a greatly increased risk of sexual transmission of HIV.

Even though treatment for STDs is readily available and accessible in the US, the amount of sexually transmitted infections are 10 to 50 times more than in other developed countries. This is mainly due to a lack of knowledge about how these diseases are transmitted, and the risks involved when contracted. 

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