What Is Safe Sex?

“It is confusing!”

So the medical community may have confused the general public when in the heights of the HIV/AIDS epidemic the prevention message was “practice safe sex. Perhaps we stopped short of describing was safe sex is”.

In a world where persons feel more liberated to expressed themselves and are willing to try “something different” to reignite libido and stamina, the advice to practice safe sex is loss on some and is understood but utterly ignored by others.

To compound matters, the popularity of the little blue pills has given middle age and aging men a new lease on life. To my horror, I was told anecdotally that young men are also using these pills. Why?

Types of sexual activities:

Coitus or sexual intercourse is the penetration of the erect penis into the vagina.
Oral sex is using the mouth (lips and tongue) to stimulate the genitals of the partner.
Anal sex is the use of the erect penis to penetrate the anus

Unprotected sex

Unprotected sex can lead to:

Unplanned and unwanted pregnancy ( in the case of sexual intercourse)
Sexually transmitted infections STIs

Some may argue that there is really no safe sex and only abstinence or celibacy can guarantee full protection from unplanned pregnancy, unwanted pregnancy, and STIs. There are those who defend masturbation for self-gratification while avoiding the risky behavior or seeking sex in the wrong places and with less than ideal individuals. You cannot tell by looking at a person to know their STI status.

Safe Sex

Practice safe sex by:

Having one faithful sex partner
Using a condom all the time for penetrative sex
Refusing to engage in oral sex and if this is your preference then use be sure to use a condom on the penis and the dental dam over the vagina
Refusing to engage in anal sex and if this is your preference then be sure to use a condom on the penis and water based lubricant to prevent pain and injury
Knowing your HIV/STI status by being screened annually for:
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Trichcomoniasis
- Candida
- Herpes
- Genital warts
- Cervical cancer (women)
- Prostate cancer (men)
Getting treatment promptly for any unusual symptoms of the genitals, mouth, or throat

Sex has different dimensions as it involves engaging mentally, emotionally, and physically with your partner. Practice safe sex to protect you both. Be responsible.