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Put on your party hats
When in doubt, go for safer sex
The wake-up call to use safer sex methods came in the 1980s. People realized that unprotected sex could give you HIV/AIDS and kill you. In a nutshell, safer sex means using techniques to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some of these methods, such as using condoms, can also prevent pregnancies, but the main goal is to prevent STIs.
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Why do you need to concern yourself with safer sex? Because the
United States
has the highest rate of STIs of any industrialized nation. Sexually
active young people account for about half of all new cases of annual
infections here. More than half of all Americans will get an STI at some
point in their lifetime (more on this at
ashastd.org).
What to do depends on whom you have sex with and what sexual practices
you engage in.
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Get tested |
If you are in a mutually monogamous sexual relationship with a trusted
partner who is free of any STI, and the same goes for you, you obviously
have nothing to worry about. There is no risk of passing any type of
infection on between you.
STIs are transmitted through exchange of body fluids (blood, semen and
vaginal fluids). Be clear: You cannot get an STI from an infected toilet
seat nor from an insect that stung you after stinging another person who
has an STI. Nor have saliva, tears, or sweat ever been shown to result
in transmission of HIV.
If you don't know a person's STI status, the safest option is to not to
have sex with him or her. The second best thing to do is to use safer
sex methods. Keep in mind, too, that limiting the number of sexual
partners reduces your risk of exposure to STIs.
If in doubt about your status or your partner's, it's really important
to get tested, because some STIs are silent and do not show any
symptoms, but nevertheless can be passed on. Talk openly about this
before you start having sex. And ladies, bring your own condoms! There
is no excuse to not take charge of your own health. You need condoms for
vaginal as well as anal intercourse. Try flavored condoms for oral sex;
"kiss of mint" or chocolate anyone?
Avoid condoms that use nonoxynol-9, because this spermicide has been
shown to cause irritation and actually may increase the risk of an
infection with a virus. Silicone lubricated condoms are fine to use.
Don't forget about the female condom, new variants of which are just
coming out now, and then there are dental dams. These are sheets of
latex or silicone used not just by dentists but for oral sex on women.
They provide a mechanical barrier between the tongue and whichever
orifice is being licked. Be sure to keep track of which side is which!
Some people complain about safer sex techniques, but many have
discovered that it's cool to know about and to practice. Putting on a
condom can be turned into a fun and sexy part of lovemaking! If he
fumbles around with it, just help him out. And remember that even after
midlife you need to use safer sex methods when with a new partner.
Viruses don't check your age before they invade you.
12/04/2007-12/10/2007
Reprinted from C-Ville Weekly
