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| Don't Leave Home Without It | ||||||||||||||
| BE PREPARED. Not only Boy Scouts need to practice the motto, but so do sexually active adults. If you are going out and feel that you may spend the night somewhere with a lover, take a small cosmetic or fanny pack with condoms, lubricant packets, toothbrush, toothpaste, and anything else you might need. All of these items come in small sizes or individual packages. This way you will always BE PREPARED. Please remember that sexually transmitted diseases are everywhere. Just because you are on vacation, don't mean you leave your common sense at home. STDs occur worldwide and that cute stranger you meet on the beach may give you something to take home that you WILL remember the rest of your life. | ||||||||||||||
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| Birth Control | ||||||||||||||
| Make sure you and your partner have discussed the issue of birth control. Condoms break - so if you want to be sure of not getting pregnant, use a back-up method. | ||||||||||||||
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| Intercourse | ||||||||||||||
| Using latex condoms for any intercourse (whether vaginal or anal) is the most important safe sex practice you can have. Always use a male condom and use it correctly. See correct usage. (See the STD Section for more information on sexually transmitted diseases.) However, not all condoms are made equal. Only latex condoms protect from sexually transmitted diseases and viruses. (STD's). Your partner and/or you may want to try a variety of condoms to find the ones that work for both of you. Remember to use it properly as shown on the Male Condom Page. At one time it was believed that nonoxyl-9 protected against HIV infection when used with a condom. However, that may no longer be the case as more research is being done. Some women and men have an allergy to the spermicide, so look for condoms and spermicides without nonoxyl-9 if you do. If the condom breaks, however, using a small amount of nonoxyl-9 won't hurt. You should also immediately wash the genital area with anti-bacterial soap. Always, always use a new condom for each act of intercourse, including changing from vaginal to anal and vice versa. If you are a woman, avoid having sex during your period. HIV-infected women are considered more infectious during their period, and HIV-uninfected women are more susceptible to becoming infected during that time. | ||||||||||||||
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| Oral Sex | ||||||||||||||
| Some STD's, such as herpes,
hepatitis and condyloma, can be transmitted orally to your partner.
If you have a cold sore or chancre - you have oral herpes and can give
it to your partner. If you have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis
A and B, you should do so now. SEE
THE STD SECTION FOR MORE INFORMATION.
HIV is a major concern with oral sex. There are still conflicting reports. However, no clear cut case has been reported when the person had been the RECEIVER. There are reports of infection if you are the GIVER. If your mouth is in healthy condition, the possibility is very small, however. There appears to be an inhibitory factor in saliva against the HIV virus. This may be the reason for the low transmission rate of the disease through oral sex. You should still take precautions. If you are performing fellatio you can reduce the risk by not allowing your partner to ejaculate in your mouth, using a condom, or not putting the head of the penis into your mouth. Men should not perform cunnilingus on their partner if she is menstruating. These acts will significantly reduce your risk of exposure with oral sex. Use some sensible precautions for oral hygiene. Do not brush or floss your teeth at least 2-4 hours prior to engaging in oral sex. Brushing and flossing can leave micro-cuts on the gums and be a perfect entry point for the HIV virus if your partner is infected. You can use a mouthwash or breath mints for a clean smelling breath. Do not perform oral sex if your lips are chapped or cut, nor if you have a sore throat. |
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| Anal Sex | ||||||||||||||
| Avoid anal intercourse, but if practiced, ALWAYS use a male LATEX condom. | ||||||||||||||
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| Your Skin | ||||||||||||||
| Wash you hands and other
exposed areas of skin with a good anti-microbial soap if your partner has
ejaculated on the areas or if you have been engaging in manual stimulation
vaginally or anally. If that is part of your love-making, keep a
warm, wet cloth with soap and water on it, rapped in aluminum foil on your
night stand. Then you can use it when needed.
Never use your hands for sexual stimulation of your partner if you have any cuts on them. If that is an integral part of your sessions, wear latex gloves. |
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| Getting Vaccinated | ||||||||||||||
| If you have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, see your health care provider. A few simple vaccinations against both of these strains will protect you for life. They will also protect you from acquiring them from any sexual encounter, either oral, genital or anal. That doesn't mean that you don't have to continue to practice Safe Sex. There are still many STD's for which there is no vaccine. | ||||||||||||||
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| More Information | ||||||||||||||
| There is more information available in the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Section of the Contraceptive Guide. | ||||||||||||||
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