Sex is a fun activity that most people enjoy. Besides helping with stress relief, cardio exercise, and reducing one’s chances of having a heart attack, it keeps the body active and raises dopamine levels- the happy hormone. Besides helping with stress relief, cardio exercise, and reducing one’s chances of having a heart attack, it keeps the body active and raises dopamine levels- the happy hormone.
The downside to this is the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Seen as lesions, warts, or rashes on the genital area, these infections can entirely damage the reproductive system of the body.
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is an infection that’s spread through sexual contact. This includes skin-to-skin contact.
Knowing your sexual health and protective means can help you prevent getting it
Although, Avoiding all forms of sexual contact is the only way to ensure that STIs won’t spread. It is possible to reduce the risk of STIs when having sex, though.
Here are safe ways to enjoy sex and prevent getting STIs;
Use protective barriers
I know this sounds so generic, but hear me out – protective methods like condoms and dental dams reduce the risk of getting infected by up to 99%,
Some might feel like wearing a piece of latex would reduce the pleasure but it actually protects you from a million and one microbes and Scorpio or Sagittarius in 9 months.
When wearing a condom, stick to these key facts;
- Examine the expiration date.
- Check for an air bubble, which indicates that the packaging has not been ruptured.
- Put on the condom appropriately.
- When using external condoms, always leave room at the tip and unroll the condom over the penis or sex toy once it has been applied.
- When using latex condoms, use a condom-safe lubricant and avoid oil-based lubricants.
- Hold on to the condom after sex to keep it from slipping.
- Properly dispose of the condom.
- Never try to put a condom back on after removing it.
- A condom should never be reused.
Fun ways like using lubricants–which usually come in a variety of flavours can spice up the mood while keeping you out of worry.
Ask your partner the right questions
The topic of previous sex partners is always a hard pill to swallow, but it’s essential to communicate with your partner to know their level of awareness of their sexual health and their point of view on safe sex practices.
Avoid asking them questions like “what’s your body count “, instead inquire about how often they go for routine check-ups and their personal habits in maintaining good sexual health.
Is it worth it?
Condoms and other barriers can prevent the exchange of body fluids that contain viruses and bacteria. They can also assist in reducing skin-to-skin contact, however, this is only partially eliminated.
Skin-to-skin contact is how STIs transmit, including syphilis, herpes, HPV, etc…
Although some of these illnesses can be treated with medication, the general process and emotional toll it will take on people is not quite nice to experience, so why now avoid it entirely?
The bottom line is …
Nothing spoils a good time like worry. Better sex is safer sex because it allows you to focus on pleasure and your partner without having to worry about STIs. Have transparent talks with your partner, and contact your doctor if you need more pieces of information.
Written by: Anointing C Juliu
