Sex is pretty fun, right? Actually, not just fun....sex is GREAT! It’s exciting, it feels good, and it can help us grow closer. And in the context of a deepening relationship, sex can be a very important part of falling in love, meaning that you need to know what to do properly to make sure that your sex life thrives, especially if you are doing it for the first time.
But only by learning how to have safe sex can we have a truly great time. Of course, when it comes to sex we’re all aware there’s something important we need to factor in: protection. Staying safe is a must, regardless of how caught up in the moment you and your partner are, but how well do you know the ins and outs of a fun, safe sexual experience?
You should definitely learn how to have safe sex to maximize the sexual enjoyment that you will get out of the opportunity of being naked with another person. Are you interested in getting all the details when it comes to learning about how to have protected sex? Read on now for the complete overview with our safe sex tips.
Read on to learn:
- What Is Safe Sex
- Is It Bad to Have Unprotected Sex?
- Safest Way to Have Sex: Condoms
- How to Have Safe Sex Without Condom: Take The Pill
- How to Have Protected Sex: Consent
- Conclusion
What is Safe Sex?
If you are wondering what is safe sex, then you are in the right place, as this guide has been created to let you know all about it. Protected sex or safe sex includes three things: prophylactics, communication, and consent. However, you define safe sex as naturally dependent on context as well. For example, if you are both tested clean and you are trying for a baby, safe sex would be unprotected sex without contraception. In other contexts, it’s making sure that both of you are protected from the possibility of STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Therefore, if you are wondering if it is OK to have unprotected sex, then this is something that depends on personal circumstances.
Is It Bad to Have Unprotected Sex?
You may be wondering: is it bad to have unprotected intercourse? This is also a question that depends on context. It is certainly a bad idea to have unprotected sex if you are having a one-night stand, as you have no idea what your new partner might be carrying. Nonetheless, if both you and your partner tested negative for STDs, you are on the pill, past or menopause, etc, then unprotected sex is not a problem. It’s also, obviously not a problem if you are trying for a child. It’s all about understanding your body and what you need to do to protect it. It also depends upon the type of sex you are having. This is why it’s important to have consent and communication with your partner to have the best sex for you.
With that said, if you have had unprotected sex with a stranger, then this could potentially be bad, because they might have an STD, or you or they could get pregnant, meaning that, in the case of unprotected sex with someone that you do not know, you definitely need to head straight to a facility and get yourself tested.
Safest Way to Have Sex: Condoms
When it comes to protecting against pregnancies and STDs at the same time, there is still only one thing that you can use to do both: condoms. Condoms are considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) because of their ability to help protect you during sexual intercourse. This is why they remain one of the safest ways to have sex, as well as affordable and easy-to-use. But did you know that there are many different types of condoms out there?
When you think of condoms, which remain the safest way to have sex, it’s probably male condoms that first come to mind - these help protect against STIs and pregnancy and are the most commonly used. But did you know about female condoms? Women put these inside their vaginas before sex (or their partners put it in for them) and just like the male equivalent they can also create a barrier to prevent STIs and pregnancy.
Tell me more about how to have protected sex with condoms…
Both male and female condoms help you with sex protection, especially if you’re enjoying an encounter but aren’t aware of your partner's sexual health. Choosing the right condom is essential. Men’s condoms come in a bunch of shapes, sizes and thicknesses, so you can explore and find one that works for you. It also means that you can’t make the excuse that you don’t like condoms and therefore don’t want to wear one, because the different types mean that you can find a condom that doesn’t lead to a loss of sensation.
How to Have Safe Sex Without Condom: Take The Pill
The pill is a daily tablet taken by females all over the world. It contains hormones that prevent pregnancy in a variety of ways, depending on the type of pill (there are loads of different ones). Other forms of contraception for women are growing in popularity and availability, like the IUD (or coil) and the implant. The pill is the most common, but all require consistency of use as directed for it to work effectively. This is also a great option if you are scared about condoms breaking. That’s why it’s essential to learn why condoms break as well, so you can be best prepared against this eventuality.
Don’t forget though…
The pill doesn’t protect against STIs like condoms do, and sometimes it can cause side effects that aren’t so great, including nausea, tenderness, bleeding between periods, and mood changes — if you have any uncomfortable symptoms or worries, talk it over with your doctor or local sexual health clinic. The pill is currently only available for females, though a male version is being tested.
There are also other options to have sex without condoms that are safe. For example, the man can get a vasectomy, which means that he is unable to produce sperm, or the woman can wear the coil, which prevents her from becoming pregnant. Additionally, when it comes to sex itself, it is worth bearing in mind that sexual intercourse is not the be-all and-end-all of intimacy. Instead, you might want to invest in other forms of sex, such as mutual masturbation or oral sex, instead of having sexual intercourse.
How to Have Protected Sex: Consent
While not a form of contraception, consent should be at the center of any sexual experience. Make sure you and your partner are on the same page, are both explicitly excited about doing it, and feel comfortable… hot!
Bear in mind…
Drinking and drugs can affect consent – if you or your partner(s) are drunk or high then you might not have the capacity to consent. It’s always better to wait until everyone’s in the right state of mind. Always make sure you have consent from the person you’re with before sex, and likewise never do anything you don’t feel comfortable with. There’s nothing more attractive than a resounding ‘yes!’ from the person you’re with.
If you want to learn more about your contraception options, talk it over with your doctor or local sexual health clinic to determine what would be the best fit for your body and your life.
The Safest Way to Have Sex: Communication
Consent and communication come from a similar desire to make sure that everyone is comfortable when it comes to having sex. But communication can get you on the same page in a very important way and avoid any crossed wires when it comes to responsibility with regards to safe sex. This is why, if you are looking to have safe sex, it’s important that you and your partner have a long and deep conversation together about which forms of contraception that you want to use and what you want to do sexually. By communicating in this fashion, then you will make sex much safer.
This is because safe sex is not just about preventing pregnancies or protecting against unwanted STDs, but the type of sex that you are having. For example, while some people might want to have rough sex, this is only OK if both partners are on the same page. If you are looking into BDSM or kinky sex, then one way that you can keep it safe is by having a safe word that you can use if you don’t feel secure anymore!
Conclusion
We hope that by reading this guide, you will have a better understanding of how to practice safe sex and why having safe sex matters. If there is anything that you are still in doubt about however, then it is definitely important for you to consult the services of your local sex clinic or planned parenthood. They are trained in the ins and outs of all things protection, giving you key insight into what you need to know about protecting against unwanted STDs or pregnancies.
If you ever feel like you are being pressured into sex, or you are not sure that you want to do it, then this is perfectly fine. Sex is an important part of life, but staying safe is also about knowing when to have it and when to decline it. It’s also worth bearing in mind that not having sex at all is the ultimate form of protection as without intercourse itself, there is simply no way that either you or your partner can get pregnant, or have STDs. Only have sex when you feel you are ready and you understand exactly what you need to do to stay safe in the process.
Remember, safe sex is the best kind of sex, because it means that you don’t have to worry about any kinds of side effects, freeing you up to get freaky in the bedroom and enjoy it to the absolute best of your ability. So, whether you choose a male condom, female condom, or use the pill, make sure you are protected to be able to fully enjoy yourself when you get down to sex.
FAQ:
I had protected sex, should I be worried?
You might be asking yourself: I had protected sex, should I be worried? If you have protected sex, you shouldn’t be worried about getting pregnant or most STDs. However, some STDs spread from skin-to-skin contact, such as herpes, genital warts, syphilis, and mpox, that condoms might not protect against. If in doubt, test both you and your partner in advance.
Is it okay to have unprotected sex?
You might be wondering about how to have safe unprotected sex. Or you might be asking yourself, is it okay to have protected sex? The general rule is that the more protection you invest in the better, as this will minimize your chances of contracting an unwanted disease or becoming pregnant. But you can learn how to have safe sex without condom if your partner or yourself is on the pill and you are both tested for STDs. If you follow these steps, then it is OK to have unprotected sex.
