When you have sex with someone, you want it to be enjoyable and satisfying. But let's talk safe Sex: Broadly speaking, this means preventing sexually transmitted diseases and preventing unwanted pregnancies. Being informed and talking about safe sexual practices with your partner can give you peace of mind. again To sex itself.
Speaking of communication, did you know that most people report that they have the best sex when their partner feels comfortable? In this way, safe sex practices can tell you a lot about a person. When they're mature enough to have these conversations and have shown that they respect your body and prioritize your pleasure, that's a big green flag. Now let's talk about the basics of safe sex and smart practices you can adopt.
What is the best STI?
The first thing you need to know is that sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STDs) are preventable. Here are the key things to know and how it affects people.
- HPV: The most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. In fact, human papillomavirus (HPV) is so common that, according to the CDC, almost all sexually active men and women will contract the virus at some point in their lives if they are not vaccinated.
- In most cases (9 out of 10), HPV goes away on its own within two years without causing any health problems.
- However, if HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems such as genital warts and cervical cancer.
- Symptoms are less common, but if left untreated, they may result in genital warts or abnormal Pap smears.
- There is a higher percentage of both penis owners than vulva owners.
- herpes: It's a very common sexually transmitted disease, so most people don't know they have it.
- There is no cure, but medications are available to reduce symptoms and minimize the chance of spreading the disease to others.
- This presents as oral herpes (cold sores around the mouth) or genital herpes (one or more blisters around the genitals or anus).
- There is a higher percentage of vulva owners than penis owners.
- syphilis: It is a relatively common sexually transmitted disease. If left untreated, it can cause health problems, but is easily treatable in the early stages.
- However, if you contract syphilis during pregnancy, it can cause serious problems for your baby.
- It appears as hard, painless sores around the genitals, anus, or mouth and progresses to a rash.
- If left unmanaged, they can remain in your system for years and eventually (fatally!) damage your internal organs.
- The incidence is higher among penis owners than among vulva owners.
- gonorrhea: It is a very common sexually transmitted disease. Interestingly, there are often no symptoms.
- You may feel a burning sensation when urinating, which is why many people mistake it for a UTI (urinary tract infection).
- The disease is treatable with the right drugs, but drug-resistant strains are on the rise.
- The incidence is higher among vulva owners than among penis owners, especially among younger people aged 15 to 24 years.
- chlamydia: It is a relatively common sexually transmitted disease. Like gonorrhea, it often has no symptoms.
- The most common symptoms are a burning sensation when urinating or abnormal genital discharge.
- With the right treatment, chlamydia can be cured, but if left untreated, it can make it difficult for owners of a vulva to get pregnant.
- There is a higher percentage of vulva owners than penis owners.
- HIV/AIDS: It is certainly the most promoted STI of the past few decades. You will be happy to know that great advances have been made in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.
- A groundbreaking medicine could help people with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) live long, healthy lives and even prevent HIV from progressing to the much more deadly disease AIDS.
- However, there is still no cure, and once you contract HIV/AIDS, it can take a huge toll on your immune system. However, in its early stages, HIV has few symptoms.
- Most people infected with HIV receive antiretroviral treatment to suppress the virus to prevent transmission and maintain a high quality of life.
- Today, rates vary, but tend to be evenly spread between vulva and penis owners.
Note: STIs are not the same as sexual death sentences! Listen to my episode”Hot sex with Dr. Ina Park and STD” Hear about having sex with your partner when you have an STD.
Now that you're familiar with STIs and how they manifest in the body, let's talk about what you can do about it. ~ no Get it.
How can I prevent STIs?
A few ways. These include:
- Penis Owner's Condom: When used perfectly, penis owner condoms are estimated to be 98% effective. SKYN has tons of options.
- Vulva owner's condom: When used perfectly, the vulva owner's condom is estimated to be 95% effective. Check it out at FC2. It is currently the only FDA approved female condom brand.
- Condom + Lubricant: The use of lubricant is highly recommended as it helps prevent tearing of the delicate skin of the genitals and tearing of the condom. This goes a long way toward reducing your risk of STIs, and when it comes to lubricants, we recommend: Playground To everyone I know.
- Dental Dam: Prevents the spread of STIs from oral sex. Harmony is a popular option.
- different forms of sex: As we expand our definition of “sexual intercourse” beyond penile insertion into the vulva, we can also have a lot of sex that doesn’t involve the transaction of sexual fluids (which is how STIs are transmitted). Mutual masturbation, phone or video sex, sensual massage, finger stimulation: the list goes on! I have a lot of ideas about 'alternative sexual practices'. In this episode.
- Talk to your partner: Another easy way to prevent STI transmission? Talk to your partner and ask if he or she has been tested. Or is it better yet? Test it out together!
How do I know if I have an STD?
You can check yourself regularly for symptoms (i.e. suspicious bumps around the genitals, anus, or mouth). But the only sure way to know is with targeted STI testing. For this you can choose:
- In-Office Testing: Because many STIs have no symptoms, it is recommended that you get a complete exam every year from your health care provider.
- At-home testing: At-home testing for sexually transmitted diseases is becoming increasingly available. Something like this from Everlywell.
Here's more information about STIs: Now let's talk about another important element of safe sex: preventing pregnancy (if you don't want to have children).
How do unplanned pregnancies occur?
Perhaps it seems obvious. The sperm fertilizes the egg. But it's worth reviewing the basics.Be careful, unplanned pregnancies happen all the time. here's the deal:
- Eggs live in the ovaries, but only a few eggs mature each month.
- About halfway through the menstrual cycle, a single mature egg leaves the ovary (called ovulation) and travels through the fallopian tubes toward the uterus.
- The egg stays there for 12 to 24 hours and moves slowly through the fallopian tubes.
- Sperm enters the vagina, swims up the cervix, and, with the help of the uterus, travels toward the fallopian tubes.
- Once the mature egg and sperm are together in the fallopian tube, fertilization can begin.
- The fix is ~ no It happens immediately. Sperm can remain in the uterus and fallopian tubes for up to six days after sex, so there can be up to six days between sex and fertilization.
- Most penis owners have the ability to become pregnant during their lifetime.
- Most vulva owners stop becoming pregnant as they approach menopause (usually in their late 40s to early 50s).
No form of birth control can be 100% effective, but most are very close! So let’s look at the options.
How can you prevent unplanned pregnancy?
There are many different methods of contraception available today. Here is a complete list of Planned Parenthood alliances:. Below are some of the most common, including some that are not yet common (such as birth control pills for penis owners) but are noteworthy in their own right.
Condoms (for penis owners + vulva owners)
How does it work? On the penis, the condom rolls like a tight glove, with a thin outer ring around the base of the shaft. A condom is inserted into the vagina and held in place by a thin outer ring around the vaginal opening.
Advantages: Very effective when used correctly. Listening Gabrielle Stanley Blair and Dr. Wednesday Episode with Martin Hear more about condoms, pleasure, and pregnancy prevention.
disadvantage: It may be torn, allowing sperm to come into contact with the egg.
Hormonal contraceptives for vulva owners
How does it work? This usually stops ovulation. No ovulation = no egg available for sperm to fertilize.
Advantages: It is very effective in preventing pregnancy with a prevention rate of 93% to 99.9%. For owners of a vulva, there are few or no menstrual periods. Sometimes hormonal acne decreases.
disadvantage: There may be mood changes. Possibility of decreased libido. Breast tenderness and fullness may occur.
Popular Options:
- Birth control pills (taken daily, taken by mouth)
- Contraceptive implant (lasts up to 5 years after vaginal insertion)
- Hormonal IUD (lasts 3 to 12 years after vaginal insertion)
- Contraceptive injection (every 3 months, in the upper arm or buttocks)
- Vaginal ring (inserted and removed once a month)
- Contraceptive patch (replaced weekly, applied next) Hips, upper outer arms, lower abdomen, or upper body)
Non-hormonal contraceptives for those with a vulva
How does it work? Methods vary, but typically involve killing sperm on contact or immobilizing them by changing vaginal pH.
Advantages: No changes to the hormonal system and are often easy to use.
disadvantage: Non-hormonal IUDs are more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy, but insertion may be uncomfortable, and in some cases, menstrual bleeding may temporarily become worse. Spermicides or prescription vaginal gels such as Phexxi are great options, but they are not effective in preventing pregnancy. Spermicide alone Pregnancy prevention effectiveness is about 70%Phexxi is about 86% effective in preventing pregnancy. Blocking methods such as diaphragms, cervical caps, and sponges can also be used, but their effectiveness varies.
Popular Options:
- Spermicide (self-inserted into the vagina before intercourse)
- Copper IUD (inserted by a health care provider and can last up to 12 years)
- Vaginal gel, such as Phexxi (self-inserted into the vagina before sex)
Less popular but still viable:
- Diaphragm (self-inserted internally before intercourse)
- Cervical cap (self-inserted internally before intercourse)
- Sponge (insert yourself before sex)
Contraceptive pills for penis owners
How does it work? It's hard to say because the science is still researching it. But the most promising option is Gel applied to shoulders once a day.
Advantages: Penis owners can also use contraception!
disadvantage: Not yet available. Stay tuned.
natural way
Lastly, “Natural Pregnancy Prevention”method of pulling out” As the name suggests, it is entirely user-based when it comes to execution and efficiency. Because 'user error' occurs, the removal method is not a panacea for preventing pregnancy.
“There is also.rhythm method,' Vulva owners track their menstrual cycle to determine when they are most likely to become pregnant (around ovulation). Here are some great resources Look for a cycle tracking app that doesn't share your data.
safe sex Here are practices that can help everyone dive deeper into pleasure and ease the stress of STDs and pregnancy. Sign up for our weekly newsletter Check out today for more sex tips, new podcast EPS + articles, and news delivered straight to your inbox.