There really is no such thing as “safe sex”…sexual activity of any type (oral, vaginal, anal, genital-to-genital contact without penetration) can put you at risk for contracting an STD (or STI, the terms are used interchangeably)...even if you wear a condom.
The only 100% way to protect yourself from becoming infected is to practice complete abstinence from all types of sexual activity.
However, the concept of “safer sex” is that a person can practice certain behaviors in order to help reduce the risk of contracting an STD/STI.
Here are 10 tips that may help reduce your risk…
1. Use a condom (or dental dam). Always. For any type of sex.
Using condoms will help reduce your risk of contracting (or passing on) an STD. Condoms must be used correctly (know how to put one on!) and consistently (every time!) in order for them to be effective. Keep in mind that condoms are less effective in preventing diseases such as herpes and HPV, but they do reduce the risk of transmission.
Using condoms will help reduce your risk of contracting (or passing on) an STD. Condoms must be used correctly (know how to put one on!) and consistently (every time!) in order for them to be effective. Keep in mind that condoms are less effective in preventing diseases such as herpes and HPV, but they do reduce the risk of transmission.
2. Realize that you can contract an STD/STI from any type of sex.
Yes, we all know that you can get an STD from vaginal sex (penetration of the vagina by the penis). However, you can also contract STD from anal sex (penetration of the anus by the penis), oral sex (oral-genital contact), and by having genital-to-genital contact without penetration. Also, if you use sex toys during foreplay, make sure to wash them thoroughly after sex.
Yes, we all know that you can get an STD from vaginal sex (penetration of the vagina by the penis). However, you can also contract STD from anal sex (penetration of the anus by the penis), oral sex (oral-genital contact), and by having genital-to-genital contact without penetration. Also, if you use sex toys during foreplay, make sure to wash them thoroughly after sex.
3. Use your condom sense.
You shouldn’t be embarrassed if you don’t know everything about condoms…including how to put them on. The website Teen Wire has an informational video that will demonstrate how to put on a condom correctly. Also, remember that condoms should not be used past the expiration date, should only be used with water-based lubrications, and should not be reused!
You shouldn’t be embarrassed if you don’t know everything about condoms…including how to put them on. The website Teen Wire has an informational video that will demonstrate how to put on a condom correctly. Also, remember that condoms should not be used past the expiration date, should only be used with water-based lubrications, and should not be reused!
4. Talk to your partners!
Don’t be afraid to talk to your partner about his/her and your sexual health. If you want to know how many partners your partner has had, whether or not your partner has been tested, and what your partner wants to do to prevent STD transmission…talk!
Don’t be afraid to talk to your partner about his/her and your sexual health. If you want to know how many partners your partner has had, whether or not your partner has been tested, and what your partner wants to do to prevent STD transmission…talk!
5. Don’t fall into the “he/she looks clean” trap.
A lot of STDs don’t show symptoms. You most likely will not be able to tell by looking at your partner if he/she has an STD. Keep in mind that anybody can contract an STD, so judging your partners on their looks, background, wealth, or group of friends will not tell you whether or not they have an STD.
A lot of STDs don’t show symptoms. You most likely will not be able to tell by looking at your partner if he/she has an STD. Keep in mind that anybody can contract an STD, so judging your partners on their looks, background, wealth, or group of friends will not tell you whether or not they have an STD.
6. Limit your number of partners.
Research indicates that your risk of contracting an STD increases if you have a higher number of partners. Remember that when you have sex with someone, you are “having sex” with every person that they had sex with, and every person that they had sex with, and so on. If you are going to have more than one partner, however, make sure to reduce your risk for STD transmission by using condoms!
7. Get tested.
As stated before, a lot of STDs don’t show symptoms. You may not know that you contracted an STD unless you actually get tested. To make an appointment for testing, call the Student Health Service front desk at 412-383-1800.
Research indicates that your risk of contracting an STD increases if you have a higher number of partners. Remember that when you have sex with someone, you are “having sex” with every person that they had sex with, and every person that they had sex with, and so on. If you are going to have more than one partner, however, make sure to reduce your risk for STD transmission by using condoms!
7. Get tested.
As stated before, a lot of STDs don’t show symptoms. You may not know that you contracted an STD unless you actually get tested. To make an appointment for testing, call the Student Health Service front desk at 412-383-1800.
8. Be careful when mixing sex with alcohol and other substances.
Using alcohol and other substances can lower your inhibitions, because you to make decisions you aren’t comfortable with, and maybe even cause you to black out. If you choose to party, avoid drinking too much, communicate with your friends what your plans are, and don’t leave a party with somebody you don’t know well.
Using alcohol and other substances can lower your inhibitions, because you to make decisions you aren’t comfortable with, and maybe even cause you to black out. If you choose to party, avoid drinking too much, communicate with your friends what your plans are, and don’t leave a party with somebody you don’t know well.
9. Birth control is just that- birth control.
Birth control methods, such as the pill, patch, ring, Depo, diaphragm, spermicides, etc, DO NOT PROTECT YOU from STDs. The only thing that can reduce your risk for BOTH pregnancy and contracting STDs is the condom. In order to maximize both pregnancy and STD/STI protection, consider using both.
Birth control methods, such as the pill, patch, ring, Depo, diaphragm, spermicides, etc, DO NOT PROTECT YOU from STDs. The only thing that can reduce your risk for BOTH pregnancy and contracting STDs is the condom. In order to maximize both pregnancy and STD/STI protection, consider using both.
10. Respect your self and your partners.
Your body is yours. If you don’t want to have sex, that is OK. Your partner’s body belongs to your partner. If your partner doesn’t want to have sex, that is his/her decision. It is up to you to decide sexual decisions for yourself, such as whether or not you want to be sexual, whether or not you want to stop being sexual, whether or not to use birth control, etc. Make sure to examine your own sexual beliefs, values, and priorities without letting others influence them.
Your body is yours. If you don’t want to have sex, that is OK. Your partner’s body belongs to your partner. If your partner doesn’t want to have sex, that is his/her decision. It is up to you to decide sexual decisions for yourself, such as whether or not you want to be sexual, whether or not you want to stop being sexual, whether or not to use birth control, etc. Make sure to examine your own sexual beliefs, values, and priorities without letting others influence them.
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