Sexual health is essential to your overall well-being – and understanding how to practice safe sex can help you avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies.
Engaging in sexual activity without protection can expose you to infections that may have long-term consequences on your health. But there are various strategies you can use to minimize risks. You and your partner can then enjoy intimacy safely.
We’ll start with the basics as a gentle reminder, though you probably know this already.
How to Practice Safe Sex: The Basics
Practicing safe sex involves a combination of habits that prioritize health and consent. Here are key practices to follow:
Consistent use of barrier protection, such as condoms and dental dams. This is one of the best ways to prevent STDs, as they’re highly effective at reducing the risk of exposure to bodily fluids that can carry STDs. Always check the expiration date and integrity of the condoms before use!
Get tested regularly. Any STDs, like chlamydia and HIV, can remain asymptomatic for long periods. Routine testing ensures that you’re aware of your status and can seek treatment if necessary.
Communicate openly with your partner about sexual health history, boundaries, and protection preferences. This strengthens trust between you and prevents misunderstandings.
Avoid sharing sex toys without proper cleaning. That’s because STDs can spread through contaminated objects. Use condoms on sex toys and clean them with soap and water or an appropriate disinfectant between uses.
By developing these safe sex practices, you can significantly reduce your risks and also benefit from fostering a respectful and enjoyable sexual relationship.
Best Way to Have Protected Sex
The best way to have protected sex is to use a combination of methods that provide both physical and emotional security.
The first step is using a barrier method such as condoms or dental dams. So –
- Use condoms from start to finish; don’t wait until halfway through intercourse to apply a condom. Use it before any genital contact occurs.
- Apply lubricant, as friction can cause condoms to break. Using a water- or silicone-based lubricant reduces the risk of tears while enhancing comfort. Avoid oil-based lubricants, as they can degrade latex.
- After intercourse, check the condom for any signs of breakage. If a condom breaks, consider emergency contraception and seek advice on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV if applicable.
- Discuss your partner’s comfort levels, boundaries, and protection preferences to ensure that both of you feel respected and safe.
Female Sex Protection
While condoms are widely used, there are additional ways for women to take control of their sexual health.
Here are a few options designed to protect against both STDs and unintended pregnancies:
Female condoms (internal condoms) are worn inside the vagina, offering similar protection as male condoms against both pregnancy and STDs, and they can be inserted up to eight hours before intercourse.
Diaphragms and cervical caps are placed inside the vagina to block sperm from reaching the uterus. When combined with spermicide, they’re effective for pregnancy prevention but do not provide comprehensive protection against STDs.
Dental dams are thin sheets of latex or polyurethane used during oral sex to reduce the risk of STD transmission. Dental dams are especially important for preventing infections like herpes and gonorrhea.
Women also have access to hormonal birth control methods, such as pills, patches, and intrauterine devices (IUDs). However, these methods do not protect against STDs, so combining them with a barrier method offers the best protection.
How to Practice Safe Sex: Questions We Get Asked
Many people have specific questions about sexual health and protection. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get asked at Stella Mattina.
Can You Have Protected Sex with Chlamydia?
The answer is complicated. While using barrier protection can reduce the likelihood of transmission, it’s not advisable to engage in sexual activity while infected. Chlamydia is highly contagious, and even with a condom, there’s still a risk of transmission if the infection is present in areas not covered by the barrier.
If you or your partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia, it’s crucial to complete the full course of antibiotic treatment before resuming sexual activity. Your healthcare provider may recommend retesting after treatment to ensure the infection has cleared.
Does a Condom Prevent STDs?
Condoms are one of the most reliable tools for reducing STD transmission. They create a physical barrier that prevents the exchange of bodily fluids, which is how many infections, such as HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia spread.
However, condoms are not 100% effective. Misuse, such as failing to apply the condom correctly or using expired products, can reduce their effectiveness. Additionally, condoms offer limited protection against STDs transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, like herpes and HPV.
What STDs Do Condoms Not Prevent?
While condoms are highly effective at preventing many STDs, some infections can still be transmitted even when a condom is used correctly. These include:
Genital herpes – which shows up with sores appearing in areas not covered by a condom, such as the inner thighs or buttocks.
Certain strains of HPV (human papillomavirus) – which can infect areas around the genitals that condoms do not cover. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, but vaccination can provide significant protection.
If syphilis sores appear outside of the condom-protected area, the infection can still spread through direct contact.
Stella Mattina Offers Help on How to Practice Safe Sex
At Stella Mattina, we are passionate about your sexual health and well-being. Whether you need testing, counseling, or advice on how to practice safe sex, our healthcare professionals are here to guide you every step of the way.
Talking about sexual health can be sensitive, but we’re really easy to talk to, and it’s an essential part of maintaining your overall well-being.
Our goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where you feel empowered to take control of your sexual health. We offer same-day appointments – citas el mismo día. Y hablamos español.
Contact us today at a location of your choice.
Dr. Krum is currently in practice in Arlington, TX. He received his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University, then attended UTMB Galveston for medical school, finishing in 1986, completing his residency there in 1990. Providing a full range of obstetrical and gynecological care, he specializes in the treatment of endometriosis and robotic surgery. He arranges his schedule so that same-day appointments are usually available.