A lot of people think that safe sex means using a
condom during the sexual intercourse, but the truth is that this term is much
broader.
When someone mentions safe sex or sex by using
protection, the first thing that crosses our minds is sex where we use proper
protection in order to avoid getting some sexually transmitted disease such as
AIDS, Syphilis, Gonorrhea etc. In most cases this protection is usually
mechanical, which means primarily using male or female condom that physically
prevents contact between the mucosa and bodily fluids that are secreted during
the sexual intercourse and which can ultimately lead to various infections and
diseases. However, safe sex can also mean sexual intercourse that we don’t to
result in unwanted pregnancy. On the other hand, the protection that we use in
this case does not always protect us from sexually transmitted diseases. There
are of course methods that can protect us from both situations (unwanted
pregnancy and STDs) like condoms for example. Coituis interruptus (pull out
method) is a method where the man pulls out the penis from the vagina right
before he reaches orgasm and this method is of course not effective against
sexually transmitted diseases.
One of the most dangerous STD today is HIV, the main
cause of AIDS. If we want to protect ourselves from this incurable virus we
should always use condom during the sexual intercourse, especially when it
comes to vaginal sex. HIV is “transferred” to the other partner when the mucosa
gets in contact with bodily fluids although this is not the only way to get
this virus. HIV can also be transmitted via blood contact too, so avoiding
rough sex that can lead to small bruises and wounds is always a good idea. The
risk of infection is a little bit greater when it comes to anal sex. Anal
tissue is very sensitive and it is prone to ruptures and bruises making it much
easier for the virus to enter the body. This situation can be avoided by using
condoms. People usually use lubricants when they have anal sex so it is
important to remember to avoid lubricants based on oil because they can damage
the condoms. There are many lubricants based on water that are perfectly safe.
STDs can be transmitted by oral sex too, although the risk is lower it is
recommended to use a condom when having oral sex too especially with partners
that we don’t know that well.
Sex that involves penetration (vaginal or anal) is
always risky. That’s why you can choose some safer types of sex where
penetration can be avoided. The risk of getting a disease in some types of sex
is minimal or even nonexistent. Masturbation, for example, is the safest type
of sex at least when we are talking about satisfying ourselves. The risk is
still present if we are practicing mutual masturbation. You can also practice
phone or cyber sex where the sex is actually virtual and there is no risk of
STDs.
