What is safe sex? |

Overview

Practicing safe sex, or safer sex, can prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STDs are usually passed on through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Some STDs, however, can be spread through genital skin-to-skin contact by sharing needles (for drugs, tattoos, or piercings), from a woman to her baby during childbirth, or through breastfeeding. STDs cannot be spread through casual contact, such as holding hands, hugging, or sharing drinks or clothes. Common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, HIV/AIDS, human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and viral hepatitis. These STDs all have different symptoms. For example, chlamydia can cause fever, abdominal pain, and unusual discharge of the penis or vagina while genital herpes causes painful skin blisters on or around the genitals or anus. Many people with an STD, however, do not experience any symptoms. These people will often spread the STD because they do not even know they have it. About half of all people in the United States will have an STD at some point in their life. People between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four are at the highest risk of contracting an STD.

Vaginal sex and anal sex are the types of sex that are most likely to spread STDs. Oral sex and other sexual encounters, such as mutual masturbation, are not as likely to spread them. Regardless of the type of sex a person engages in, using condoms is a very effective way to practice safe sex. When used properly, condoms protect against STDs. Condoms form a barrier between the penis and the vagina, anus, or mouth, prevent bodily fluids from entering a sexual partner’s body, and reduce the amount of skin-to-skin contact between sexual partners. Both male and female condoms are available. The male condom is a thin sheath, usually made of latex, polyurethane, or lambskin, that covers the penis. Male condoms come in many different shapes, sizes, and thicknesses and are available with or without lubricant. Prior to sexual activity, the male should place the condom over his erect penis. The condom should be left in place during the entirety of the sexual activity, whether it is vaginal sex, oral sex, or anal sex. The female condom is a soft pouch with a ring on each end that prevents sperm from entering the uterus. One ring goes into the vagina and holds the condom in place while the other ring stays outside the vagina. The female condom should be inserted prior to sexual activity and should be left in place during the entire sexual act. Female condoms may offer better protection against STDs than male condoms because they partly cover the labia. In addition to protecting against STDs, male and female condoms also help prevent pregnancy.

Dental dams are similar to condoms and can also be used to practice safe sex. A dental dam is a small, thin piece of latex that is placed on the vulva or anus when a sexual partner’s mouth comes in contact with those areas. Dental dams form a barrier between the mouth and vulva or anus and, like condoms, prevent bodily fluids from entering a partner’s body and also reduce the amount of skin-to-skin contact between partners.

Using
birth control
, which is a method a female can use to prevent pregnancy, does not prevent STDs. Both males and females are still at risk for STDs if they use birth control without also using condoms or dental dams. Therefore, a female who is on birth control should also use condoms or dental dams to prevent STDs.

Another way of practicing safe sex is by having only one sexual partner who is free of STDs. A person can ask his or her partner questions such as “Do you always use protection?” or “When was the last time you got tested for STDs?” But to be completely sure a person and his or her partner are free of STDs, both partners should get tested. To get tested for STDs, a person must see a doctor. The doctor will perform a physical exam to check for symptoms and also take a urine, blood, or tissue sample. Sexually active people should be tested for STDs once a year.

Avoiding drugs and alcohol is yet another way to practice safe sex. Drugs and alcohol often impair a person’s judgment. Therefore, consuming drugs or alcohol may lead to unprotected sex.

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Mayo Clinic. “Female Condom: Why It’s Done.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/female-condom/basics/why-its-done/prc-20014435>

Mayo Clinic. “Male Condoms: Definition.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/condoms/basics/definition/prc-20014118>

Merriam-Webster. “Safe Sex.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safe%20sex>

National Institutes of Health. “What Are Some Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs/STIs)?.” National Institutes of Health. National Institutes of Health. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/stds/conditioninfo/Pages/types.aspx>

Planned Parenthood. “Safer Sex.” Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/teens/sex/safer-sex>

Planned Parenthood. “Safer Sex (‘Safe Sex’).” Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-info/stds-hiv-safer-sex/safer-sex>

Planned Parenthood. “STDs.” Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/teens/going-to-the-doctor/stds>