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Playing It SafeWhile preventing pregnancy is often foremost in your mind when you engage in heterosexual intercourse, everyone, no matter what their sexual orientation or choice of sexual activities, should be concerned with sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Yes, some activities leave you at greater risk than others. And yes, there are things you can do decrease your risk. Complete abstinence from sexual activities is one of the most powerful ways you can protect yourself, but for most adults this is not realistic nor desired. This article discusses some of the other options that are available. First, let us begin with a few of the not-so-pretty statistics. According to the American Social Health Association, one in five people in the United States has an STD, two-thirds of all STDs occur in people 25 years of age or younger, less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STD other than HIV / AIDS, and at least one in four Americans will contract an STD at some point in their lives. Recent Canadian studies listed by Health Canada found nearly one-third of sexually active girls between 12 to 19 are infected with chlamydia and that the prevalence of all types of HPV (cancer and non-cancer causing) in different groups of Canadian women ranges from 20-33%. Statistics regarding the prevalence of STDs in men are less known as there is better screening and case-finding among females. However, it is being discovered that the increase in STDs among males in each age group is substantially larger than the increase among females in each age group. Men are not being left out in the transmission of STDs. Now that the gory numbers are out of the way, onwards we go with how to better protect yourself from getting STDs. If you are having anal sex, use a latex condom. If you are allergic to latex, you can use a polyurethane condom. They are said to be slightly less effective than latex condoms, but they are definitely more effective than bare-backing it. You should also use a waterbased lubricant since it can keep the anus well lubricated, helping the condom stay in good condition and avoid tears. The same goes for penis/vagina genital sex. Use condoms and lube. It can't be said enough. The latex barrier helps stop fluids from being exchanged as well as lessen the amount of skin to skin contact. Unfortunately, they don't cover you from head to toe so there is still the chance to contract such STDs as herpes and HPV. These STDs can be transmitted through skin to skin not just by fluid exchange. Open or active sores or bumps do not have to be in evidence. Many STDs can still be transmitted when symptoms don't exist. Scary, yes, I know. STDs can be transmitted to the sensitive mucous membranes found in the mouth and throat. This means of transmission is being reported more and more often as people who avoid anal and genital sexual intercourse are still being diagnosed with STDs. They are still having unprotected oral sex. Using a condom when performing oral sex on a male lessens the risk. If you are performing oral sex on a female, a dental dam (which is a flat piece of latex that you place over the vulva) can be used. Put some lube on the side that touches the vulva and lick away. Put some lube inside the condom as well. It helps make the oral sex more pleasurable. If, as the giver of the oral sex, you are concerned about the taste of the lube, use a flavoured one. Some can be too strong, but others are quite tasty. Rimming (oral to anal contact) also has its risks so using a dental dam is beneficial here as well. Manual sex, or the sexual touching of the genitals or anus by the hands, carries some risk, especially for the STDs related to skin to skin contact. Wearing latex gloves greatly reduces the risk of transmission. Used again with lubricant, it can make manual sex even smoother and more sensual than ever. This is especially the case if you fist or finger the vagina or the rectum. When it comes to sex toys such as dildos and vibrators, it is best to clean them before and after each use and to not share them with your partners or friends. If you do share them, put a condom on them and use one condom per use, per person. It is a simple as that. There are also some general health and hygiene matters to consider. While they do not take the place of anything written above, they do play a role in sexual health and well being. Number of partners. The more partners you have, the higher your risk. Basically, it is likely that not everyone in your sexual circle will be using safer sex measures consistently and getting tested regularly. The less partners you have, the less chance you have of someone messing up. Or conversely, the less partners you have, the greater the chance you have of keeping track of how well everyone is doing about playing safe. Basic hygiene. Never have vaginal sex after having anal sex unless you change condom. Bacteria from the anus can infect the vagina very easily leading to painful and serious urinary tract infections among other things. The same goes for anything else (penis, hand, finger, dildo, or mouth) that has previously been near the anus and is making its way to the vagina. Change the latex barrier being used or wash the area extremely well. Urinating after sex can help wash away some of the bacteria that may accumulate during sexual activities in the urethra. This goes for guys and gals. It is not a substitute for safer sex practices, but it does help in avoiding infections. Finally, how safe you want to be is based on your judgment and your lifestyle. If you are in a monogamous relationship and you trust your partner, you will make different decisions than if you are on the dating scene. Similarly, if you are fluid bonded but polyamourous, you will have your own set of safer sex guidelines. Whatever your choices, getting tested for STDs, while no substitute for practicing safer sex measures, can help you have peace of mind and keep you healthy. Doing so at least once a year, if not every six months, is an excellent idea. Resources Check out Lubricants for information on how to select and use water based lubricants. Buy condoms and other safer sex supplies at Come As You Are. Sources Health Canada Online (2000). STD Epidemiological Update. Bureau of HIV/AIDS, STD and TB Update Series. [online]. Available: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ The American Social Health Association. (2000). STD Statistics. The American Social Health Association. [online] Available: http://www.ashastd.org/stdfaqs/statistics.html/ |
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