Safe Sex: A way to avoid unwanted consequences
By: Dr. Renee Lang*/TRT Health Columnist
Practicing safe sex applies to anyone of any age. Recent statistics indicate that rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increased in youth over the last 20 years. Genital herpes occurs five times more frequently now in adolescents than two decades ago. Chlamydia infection mainly affects those aged 15-24years old and the highest rates of gonorrhea occur in 15-19 year old women and 2-24 year old men. Rates of Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis increased for gay and bisexual men over the last year.
Clearly these increasing numbers indicate that unsafe sex is happening a lot in the youth population. If you’re having sex you’re at risk for an STI. Maybe you’ve gotten away without an infection thus far, but statistically speaking, you’ll get an STI at some point if you continue to practice unsafe sex. Maybe you don’t know that you’re already infected. Some infections present without symptoms. You need to get tested to know for sure.
Couples in long-term monogamous relationships may also benefit from regular testing; yearly or every two years. Unfortunately, sometimes one partner engages in sex with someone outside the relationship and doesn’t inform their partner. Safe sex practices, at any stage of a relationship, provide protection until both partners test negative for STIs. Additionally, if either partner experiences an outbreak of Herpes, genital warts, or other infection, resume safe sex practices until the infection clears.
If you feel old enough to have sex, you’re old enough to talk about it. Before swapping fluids with another person, talk to them about their previous sexual partners and experiences. If you feel uncomfortable discussing sex and STI risks practice having the conversation with a friend or safe family member.
If your current partner doesn’t want to talk about their past, ask them to get tested. If they resist getting tested, it’s time to rethink your decision about getting sexually involved with someone who doesn’t respect your health choices. Sometimes a person uses anger, fear or other manipulative tactics to encourage another person to have sex with them. If you feel pressured to have sex or unsafe sex by another person you may be experiencing sexual abuse.
Talk to your doctor, counselor, friend or safe family member about what’s going on. They may be able to provide an objective opinion about the situation. You may also try imaging what you would say to your friend if they told you the same story. What advice would you give that person? Then think about listening to your own advice.
Symptoms of STIs vary but include the presence of warts or painful sores on the lips and genitals, foul smelling discharge from the vagina or penis, itchiness and/or burning of the genitals, burning with urination (men), vaginal bleeding (not menstrual), painful intercourse, and pelvic pain. Hepatitis B symptoms include fatigue, dark urine, light stools, abdominal pain, and nausea and vomiting. HIV symptoms include vaginal yeast infections, unexplained weight loss, night sweats or fevers, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, and mental disorders. HPV symptoms may present as an abnormal pap smear so get one every year especially if you have multiple partners.
If you experience any of the above symptoms especially after beginning a new relationship, GO GET TESTED! Go to your regular doctor, to the local free clinic, or the local Planned Parenthood but GET TESTED. If left untreated, some of the STIs cause long-term effects including liver damage, infertility, neurological problems, cancer (HPV), and in the case of HIV, death.
How to practice Safe Sex:
1. Always use a latex condom or dental dam with vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Make sure it’s not expired.
2. Use lubricant to decrease condom breakage. Always use a water-based lubricant (KY Jelly, Astroglide, Aqua Lube, Wet, Foreplay, or Probe) because oil can breakdown the latex.
3. Only use a condom once and then throw it away.
4. When pulling out, hold on the condom so that it doesn’t fall off and expose your partner to semen.
5. Change the condom before inserting a toy or penis, into a different person or from anus to vagina.
6. Use a condom in oral sex because small cuts in the mouth or throat may provide allow an STI (HIV, Hep B esp.) access to the bloodstream.
7. Limit the number of sexual partners.
8. Get tested- both of you.
9. Talk to your partner about sex and STIs.
10.Avoid the use of drugs or alcohol in conjunction with sex.
11. No means “No” and being passed out doesn’t mean “Yes”.
12. Pay attention to symptoms and get treated quickly.
13. Set your limits ahead of time and then stick to them.
14. Remember that you deserve to be healthy and to stay healthy.
By: Dr. Renee Lang*/TRT Health Columnist
Practicing safe sex applies to anyone of any age. Recent statistics indicate that rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increased in youth over the last 20 years. Genital herpes occurs five times more frequently now in adolescents than two decades ago. Chlamydia infection mainly affects those aged 15-24years old and the highest rates of gonorrhea occur in 15-19 year old women and 2-24 year old men. Rates of Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis increased for gay and bisexual men over the last year.
Clearly these increasing numbers indicate that unsafe sex is happening a lot in the youth population. If you’re having sex you’re at risk for an STI. Maybe you’ve gotten away without an infection thus far, but statistically speaking, you’ll get an STI at some point if you continue to practice unsafe sex. Maybe you don’t know that you’re already infected. Some infections present without symptoms. You need to get tested to know for sure.
Couples in long-term monogamous relationships may also benefit from regular testing; yearly or every two years. Unfortunately, sometimes one partner engages in sex with someone outside the relationship and doesn’t inform their partner. Safe sex practices, at any stage of a relationship, provide protection until both partners test negative for STIs. Additionally, if either partner experiences an outbreak of Herpes, genital warts, or other infection, resume safe sex practices until the infection clears.
If you feel old enough to have sex, you’re old enough to talk about it. Before swapping fluids with another person, talk to them about their previous sexual partners and experiences. If you feel uncomfortable discussing sex and STI risks practice having the conversation with a friend or safe family member.
If your current partner doesn’t want to talk about their past, ask them to get tested. If they resist getting tested, it’s time to rethink your decision about getting sexually involved with someone who doesn’t respect your health choices. Sometimes a person uses anger, fear or other manipulative tactics to encourage another person to have sex with them. If you feel pressured to have sex or unsafe sex by another person you may be experiencing sexual abuse.
Talk to your doctor, counselor, friend or safe family member about what’s going on. They may be able to provide an objective opinion about the situation. You may also try imaging what you would say to your friend if they told you the same story. What advice would you give that person? Then think about listening to your own advice.
Symptoms of STIs vary but include the presence of warts or painful sores on the lips and genitals, foul smelling discharge from the vagina or penis, itchiness and/or burning of the genitals, burning with urination (men), vaginal bleeding (not menstrual), painful intercourse, and pelvic pain. Hepatitis B symptoms include fatigue, dark urine, light stools, abdominal pain, and nausea and vomiting. HIV symptoms include vaginal yeast infections, unexplained weight loss, night sweats or fevers, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, and mental disorders. HPV symptoms may present as an abnormal pap smear so get one every year especially if you have multiple partners.
If you experience any of the above symptoms especially after beginning a new relationship, GO GET TESTED! Go to your regular doctor, to the local free clinic, or the local Planned Parenthood but GET TESTED. If left untreated, some of the STIs cause long-term effects including liver damage, infertility, neurological problems, cancer (HPV), and in the case of HIV, death.
How to practice Safe Sex:
1. Always use a latex condom or dental dam with vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Make sure it’s not expired.
2. Use lubricant to decrease condom breakage. Always use a water-based lubricant (KY Jelly, Astroglide, Aqua Lube, Wet, Foreplay, or Probe) because oil can breakdown the latex.
3. Only use a condom once and then throw it away.
4. When pulling out, hold on the condom so that it doesn’t fall off and expose your partner to semen.
5. Change the condom before inserting a toy or penis, into a different person or from anus to vagina.
6. Use a condom in oral sex because small cuts in the mouth or throat may provide allow an STI (HIV, Hep B esp.) access to the bloodstream.
7. Limit the number of sexual partners.
8. Get tested- both of you.
9. Talk to your partner about sex and STIs.
10.Avoid the use of drugs or alcohol in conjunction with sex.
11. No means “No” and being passed out doesn’t mean “Yes”.
12. Pay attention to symptoms and get treated quickly.
13. Set your limits ahead of time and then stick to them.
14. Remember that you deserve to be healthy and to stay healthy.
