How To Practice Safe Sex: Protection Against STDs & Pregnancy
There are a variety of potential consequences with having unprotected sex, including STIs and pregnancy. Here's what to know about how to have safe sex.
Hands on, practical experience – this is our expertise
Safe, or at least safer sex, is the practice of protecting one’s self from STIs and unwanted pregnancy during sexual activities that include semen, vaginal fluids, or blood.
How to have safe sex
Safe sexual practices are a part of physical, mental, and sexual health. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to have the safest sex possible.
الواقيات
Condoms are a barrier device used to reduce the chances of pregnancy and STIs. They can be bought over the counter or at a corner drug store.
In some cases, they can even be found at vending machines on college campuses and nightclubs.
Male condoms
Male condoms are typically made of latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene and worn over the penis as a barrier.
If put on correctly and worn consistently during intercourse, a male condom has a success rate of 98%.
Some condoms are made to make sex even better, such as ones with ribbing and special cooling and warming lubricants.
They come in a variety of sizes, from snug to large. Men concerned with sensitivity can find premium ultra-thin condoms to increase penis sensation.
Female condoms
Female condoms are made from polyurethane and fit inside the vagina or anus to prevent pregnancy and STIs. It comes pre-lubricated and only has one size.
A diagram is another type of female condom. It fits inside the vagina as a barrier that blocks the womb's entrance. It is only meant to protect against pregnancy.
Birth control medication
Birth control pills or an IUD are the most common and effective ways to avoid getting pregnant. But they are not the only birth control medications on the market.
Birth control medication does nothing to prevent the transmission of STDs, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections.
Dental dams
Dental dams are made of latex or polyurethane sheet and used during oral sex to reduce the spread of STIs such as:
herpes
gonorrhea
syphilis
Hepatitis
The dental dam is laid over the vagina or anus and blocks mouth-to-genital contact.
Get tested for STDs
Most people that are sexually active should get an STD test at least once a year to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases and infections.
Keep an open line of communication with your healthcare provider to discuss risk factors and STD testing.
Engage in lower-risk sexual activities
One of the safer and lowest-risk sexual activities one can engage in is outercourse. Outercourse is any sexual activity that excludes penis-in-vagina (PIV) penetration, such as:
massage
kissing
mutual and manual masturbation
oral sex
sex toys
While low-risk sexual activities such as outercourse can be safer, there is still a chance of transmitting STDs.
The use of a dental dam during oral sex significantly reduces the chances of catching herpes or gonorrhea.
Risks of unprotected sex
STIs & STDs
Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex can lead to contracting an STI. The most common sexually transmitted diseases are gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and genital warts.
It's important to talk to your partner about STI testing and status.
Unintended pregnancy
Nearly half of all pregnancies are mistimed or unwanted. And many of those are due to unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
You must consistently and correctly use condoms and contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Whether it's a broken condom or a missed birth control pill, accidents happen. But you can take steps to take care of yourself and your partner in the case of a mishap.
It's recommended that a woman urinates within the first 30 minutes after sex and drink plenty of water.
ECP (emergency contraceptive pill) works for up to 3 days after unprotected sex. ECP is available over the counter and is 98% effective.
Get tested for STIs, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases two weeks after unprotected sex.
If pregnancy is suspected, take an at-home pregnancy test
Safer sex tips
Don't wear more than one condom, as it increases the chance of it breaking.
Use a new condom every time you engage in sexual activity.
Check the expiration dates on any condom packaging. An out-of-date condom is far more likely to break.
Don't open condom packaging with your teeth, fingernails, or sharp objects. It can cause a hole that's too tiny to see but big enough for semen to sneak through.
Do your best to use only water-based lubricants. There are some lubes that can damage condoms and cause them to break.
Pre-ejaculate can transmit STIs and HIV and can lead to pregnancy. You want to start condom usage at the beginning of the sexual activity.
Takeaways
Safe sex does not guarantee the prevention of STIs, HIV, and pregnancy. Even kissing can transmit diseases such as herpes.
But there are ways to make sex safer, such as condoms, birth control medication, and low-risk sexual activity like outercourse.
Keep an open line of communication with your partner to discuss STI testing and what birth control works for both partners.
If an accident does happen, you can take action to avoid the potential consequences of unprotected sex.
Our team has over a decade of experience in the sexual wellness field and are experts in sexual dysfunctions, like premature ejaculation. We help couples and individuals better understand treatment options available for different types of sexual needs and educate the public on all things related to intimacy. All of our authored content is medically reviewed for accuracy and reliability.
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