Making Sex Safer
While the only safe sex is no sex, practicing abstinence does not mean that safer sex, risk reduction, and disease prevention information are not necessary. Practicing safer sex can mean deciding to abstain from sexual intercourse, or it can mean finding other forms of sexual expression that do not involve exchange of bodily fluids. However, if you do decide to have anal, oral, or vaginal intercourse, the following risk-reduction information may be helpful:
- Condoms should always be used during foreplay and sexual intercourse as they minimize the amount of semen or vaginal fluid that is exchanged. During oral sex on a man, use a condom without lubrication. View the condoms page for tips on proper condom use.
- Dental dams/latex squares should be used during any oral-vaginal or oral-anal contact. View the dental dam page for information on proper use of dental dams.
- Lubricant should always be used during penetrative intercourse to increase sensation and reduce the risk of condom breakage and tissue tearing. It is best to use water based lubricant, such as KY Jelly, Astroglide, Wet, etc. Oil based lubricants such as Vaseline, Crisco, or butter will make microscopic holes in latex condoms.
- The greater the number of sexual partners, the higher is the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. When you engage in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with a person, you expose yourself to all of the diseases or infections from his/her previous sexual partners. Abstinence is a Choice page helps you examine your motives for having sex.
- Urinate before and after sexual intercourse. Voiding helps to eliminate bacteria and other microorganisms that may be in the urethra. Also, wash the genital/anal area with soap and warm water before and after intercourse. This minimizes the number of infectious microorganisms that cause STDs.
- Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of STDs. Condoms are not 100% effective in protecting you against STDs. Early detection is important in treating STDs.
- Contraceptive methods can be combined with condoms for a higher pregnancy prevention success rate. The list of over-the-counter and prescription-only contraception methods is available on the Contraception page.
- Avoid using alcohol or other drugs before and during sexual intercourse. Use of these substances severely depresses the immune system and decreases the likelihood of practicing safer sex.
- Get vaccinated for Hepatitis B. The Centers for Disease Control recommends this vaccine for adolescents and young adults to protect them before they become sexually active. Hepatitis B vaccine page provides information on the details of obtaining the vaccine at YUHS.
- Abstinence is always an option.
