| Safe sex (also called safer sex) is a term describing practices designed to reduce the risk of catching sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Sexual abstinence obviously virtually eliminates the risk of STDs, but
also the possibility of natural reproduction and the pleasure of sex.
Most attention has focused on controlling HIV, which causes AIDS, but each STD presents a different situation.
Recommended practices
- Solitary masturbation (including so-called "phone sex" and cybersex) is completely safe.
- Monogamy. However, be aware that many monogamous people have been infected with
sexually transmitted diseases by non-monogamous partners.
- Knowing your partner, especially their STD status.
- Communicating with your partner. Being assertive in saying what you want and don't want. This includes discussing beforehand
what is acceptable and what is not to avoid "heat of passion" decisions.
- Not using recreational drugs, including alcohol, in a way that increases the likelihood you will "forget" other safer sex
guidelines.
- Avoiding any contact with blood, vaginal fluid, and semen of the partner:
- Using condoms. Condoms are used to cover the penis during sexual activity. They
are most frequently made of latex, but can also be made out of polyurethane for those who have a latex allergy, or they can be made out of animal intestine. Polyurethane is thought to be a safe material for
use in condoms, since it is nonporous and viruses cannot pass through it. However, there is less research on its effectiveness
than there is on latex. Any condoms made out of animal skin or intestine, such as Trojan NaturaLamb, are not thought to be safe
because they are porous and viruses such as HIV
can pass through them. Do not handle condoms with sharp fingernails, do not use latex condoms together with oil-based lubricants,
never reuse, ensure that the condom is not past its expiration date. Never keep a latex condom in a wallet! Moreover, never
"double up" latex condoms by using two at the same time. The friction of latex against latex may cause the condoms to tear.
- Female condom. This condom is inserted into the vagina prior to intercourse. It is also sometimes used for anal sex.
- Dental dam. A sheet of latex (originally used for dentistry) for protection
when engaging in oral sex. It is typically used as a barrier between the mouth and
the vagina during cunnilingus or between the mouth and the anus during
anilingus. A piece of plastic wrap (such as Saran™ wrap) may also be used as a dental dam, but regular plastic wrap is too porous. Dental dams may
also be made by cutting up condoms or vinyl or latex gloves.
- Medical gloves. Gloves made out of latex, vinyl, nitrile, or polyurethane may be used as dental dams during oral sex, or to protect the hands
during mutual masturbation. Hands may have invisible cuts on
them that may admit pathogens that are found in semen or vaginal fluids. Although the risk of infection in this manner is thought to be low, many people use
gloves as an extra precaution. Gloves also make mutual masturbation more comfortable by preventing sharp fingernails from
accidentally scratching the genitalia.
- Another way to avoid contact with blood and semen is outercourse, which
is sexual activity not involving penetration. Despite that the method is effective it is only sometimes mentioned by safer-sex
educators.
Note that most methods of contraception (birth control) other than the
barrier methods mentioned above are not effective at preventing the spread of STDs.
The spermicide Nonoxynol-9 has been claimed to reduce the likelihood of STD transmission. However a recent study by the
World Health Organisation [[1] (http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/rhr_03_8/Nonoxynol_9.pdf)] has shown that
Nonoxynol-9 is an irritant and can produce tiny tears in mucous membranes, which some may increase the transmission by offering
pathogens more easy points of entry into the system. As a result condoms with a
Nonoxynol-9 lubricant are not to be promoted. However it is better to use a condom with Nonoxynol-9 than no condom at all
"Pulling out," in which the penis is removed from the vagina, anus, or mouth before ejaculation, is not safe sex and can result in STD transmission. This is because of the formation of pre-ejaculate, a fluid (which may contain sperm) that oozes from the urethra before actual ejaculation. In addition, open sores on either partner can permit
transmission.
Change in terminology
With the realization that risk of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases in various sexual activities is a continuum rather than a simple dichotomy of risky/safe, US health workers began to talk of "safer sex" rather than "safe sex." However,
in most other countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, the term "safe sex" is still mainly used by sex educators, perhaps in the
recognition that with the strict adherence to these techniques the risks of catching the more dangerous STDs are quite low.
Controversy
Some conservatives object to the "safer sex" movement on the grounds that it promotes what they hold to be immoral and
high-risk behavior, namely promiscuous sex outside of marriage. This, they argue,
increases rather than decreases the risk of contracting STDs. They believe that the best way to avoid sexual disease is
abstinence before marriage followed by lifelong mutual fidelity thereafter.
In the US, some have claimed that condoms are ineffective against HIV transmission,
particularly during anal sex,. These claims have been disputed by many medical researchers, who view correctly used condoms as
effective protection. Some studies have shown that, even with the best of intentions, condom users can often use condoms
improperly, so that the transmission rate remains disturbingly high. Advocates of safe sex education point out that it has to
start at an early age to be effective, a notion which arouses even heavier opposition from conservatives given the taboo of child sexuality.
External links
- "Guide to Safer Sex" from the Society for Human Sexuality's sexuality.org site. Very explicit information on making various
sexual practices safer:
- "Safe
Sex" (http://mindprod.com/safesex.html) by Roedy Green. Introduction (with personal comments) by a HIV-positive gay man.
|
