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5 Safe Sex Practices for Sexual Responsibility.

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Key Points

  • In this new age of liberty, safe sex practices and sexual responsibility are quickly eroding.
  • Safe sex practices include being faithful to one (uninfected) partner, always using a condom, getting regularly screened for sexually transmitted infections, practicing low-risk sexual activities, and being in control of your sexual decisions.
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections can also be gotten orally.
  • With telemedicine, couples/partners can learn about safe sex practices and how to be sexually responsible.
  • Talk to a Doctor on how you can enjoy safer sex with your partner today.

Safe sex practices and sexual responsibility simply implies protecting yourself and your partner from unintended pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

In the new age of liberty, we are fast normalising a world where anything goes. From social connections down to sexual relationships, the rules of safety keep getting fluid.

However, the dire consequences of sexual carelessness far outweigh the temporary pleasure of unsafe sex.

In this article, the ways in which safe sex can be practiced are explored.

Be Faithful to one Uninfected Partner:

Sexual irresponsibility is one of the fastest ways to get or spread sexually transmitted infections. The reason is as simple as it is glaring; having unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners puts you at risk of contracting different diseases as you scarcely know who those partners are equally having unprotected sex with.

Truth is, there’s a high tendency for someone who engages in unsafe sex with another, to do so with every other person. It is therefore in your best interest to focus on an exclusive sexual relationship.

Always Use a Condom:

Safe sex practices
Source: Canva

The most common way to practice safe sex is through the use of condoms. When used appropriately, condoms serve as a physical barrier that hinders the exchange of vaginal fluid, blood or semen during sex, hence, reducing the risk of STI to a bare minimum.  Using a condom appropriately involves:

1. Checking the expiry date before use.

2. Avoiding re-usage

3. Resisting the urge to use your teeth or fingers to open the condom packet.

It is super risky to have penetrative sex without a condom. Matter of fact, 70% of STIs are contracted when partners fail to make use of the protection that a condom offers. Ergo, unprotected sex is simply bad practice.

These are pleasant times as there’s an abundance of different kinds of condoms in circulation, both for males and females. Find the one that suits your needs and stick to it. There is nothing to be ashamed of in staying safe.

Get Regularly Screened for Sexually Transmitted Infections:

Getting routine medical checks helps you to know your status at every point in time. Consequently, early diagnosis makes you start treatments on time should you be infected.

Practice Low-risk Sexual Activities:

You can also enjoy safe sex by engaging in sexual activities that do not necessarily involve the exchange of body fluids with your partner. For instance, masturbation, dry humping or the use of sex toys can give great sexual pleasure without risking getting pregnant or contracting an STI.

Be in Control of Your Sexual Decisions:

Safe sex practices
Photo credit: Canva

Avoid situations that can spur you into making poor sexual decisions. At the top of such situations is getting drunk. Alcohol and sex drive are very unhealthy combinations. Since you are not in full control of your senses, it may be easy for you to be sexually reckless while damming the consequences.

Furthermore, do not play down the fact that certain Sexually Transmitted Infections can be gotten orally.

Yes. You read right!

Some STIs that can be contracted from oral sex include Hepatitis B, Syphilis, Herpes and Gonorrhoea.

Therefore, if you are not certain of your partner’s STI status, kindly use a mouth condom or dental dam during oral sex.

With the teeming population of youngsters, it is imperative that attention is drawn to safe sex practices and advocacy. Don’t be carried away by youthful exuberance. There is nothing boring about safe sex if it is sufficiently spiced up. You can enjoy satisfying and pleasurable sex while still playing safe.

It is important to note that the aforementioned ways of practicing Safe Sex are NOT 100% guaranteed. This is why most experts prefer to use the term “safer sex” methods to describe them.

Abstinence remains the surest way to be free from Sexually Transmitted Infections and unintended pregnancy.

But truth be told, practicing abstinence will not work for a vast majority of the population because a greater percentage of young people are sexually active. Hence, the best bet is to take effective precautionary measures to protect yourself and your partner.

What if you Already Contracted a Sexually Transmitted Infection?

Safe sex practices
Source: Canva

You can still practice safe sex to avoid spreading it to your partner.

With the advancement in medical science, most STIs are now curable. Therefore, endeavour to Get the Services of a Physician, and have yourself treated.

Furthermore, if you have an STI that is incurable like herpes or HIV, be open with your partner about it as well as follow your medications duly to reduce your viral load and other chances of spreading it to your partner.

However, if you have a chronic STI with visible warts or sores around your pubic regions, desist from having sex (whether protected or not) till you are through with treatment.

The earlier you know your STI status, the safer for you.

Talk to a Doctor on how you can enjoy safer sex with your partner today.

How Telemedicine Can Help

Telemedicine can be a great way to learn about safe sex practices. It makes it easy to talk to a doctor or nurse about sexual health without having to visit a clinic. You can ask questions about using condoms, birth control, or any other safe sex practices, all from the privacy of your home. This can help you feel more comfortable and confident in making safe choices.

Another benefit of telemedicine is getting quick and reliable information. If you’re unsure about something, like how to properly use a condom or what to do if you miss a birth control pill, you can get answers quickly. This immediate access to professional advice helps prevent mistakes and reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned/unwanted pregnancies.

Lastly, telemedicine can provide easy access to testing and prescriptions. If you need an STI test or birth control, a doctor can arrange for these online. You can get tested without having to wait long or travel far, and if you need medication, it can be sent directly to your pharmacy. This makes it simpler and faster to take care of your sexual health responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are 5 ways to have safe sex?

  • Use condoms every time you engage in sex
  • Have your partner discuss about his/her past partners, history of STIs (if any), and drug use
  • Use a male condom made of polyurethane or latex
  • Use a female condom made of polyurethane
  • Use polyurethane only if you are allergic to latex

2. What are the safe sex practices?

Safe sex practices include the following:

  • Be faithful to one (uninfected) partner
  • Always use a condom. Having (vaginal or anal) sex without a condom is very risky
  • Get regularly screened for sexually transmitted infections
  • Practice low-risk sexual activities
  • Be in control of your sexual decisions

3. What is good sexual behaviour?

Good sexual behaviour involves having a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships. It involves the responsibility to adopt safe sex practices with a faithful partner. Good sexual behaviour is free of violence, coercion, or discrimination.

4. What are unhealthy sexual behaviours?

Unhealthy sexual behaviors typically include having sex at a young age, unprotected sex without a condom, having unprotected mouth-to-genital sexual contact, having multiple sex partners, and having a sexual partner who also has multiple sex partners.

5. What are the responsible sexual practices?

  • Sexual abstinence
  • Using condoms and birth control during sexual intercourse.
  • Confirming consent before having sex with a partner.
  • Stick to one sexual partner

If you found this article interesting, also read our post on Knowing Your HIV Status

References

Zainab Alimoradi, P. C., Nourossadat Kariman, P., Masoumeh Simbar, P., & Fazlollah Ahmadi, P. (2016). Contributing Factors to High-Risk Sexual Behaviors among Iranian Adolescent Girls: A Systematic Review.

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Safer Sex Guidelines

MedicalNewsToday (2022). What to know about safer sex practices

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Ginika Oluchi Okeke

Ginika is the Lead health writer at KompleteCare. She also doubles as an editor and proofreader for everything that concerns content. When she's not writing content for KompleteCare, you might find her copy-editing works for authors before publication.

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