sexual
health

safer sex

We are all used to the term safe sex, but here’s the problem… there is no such thing. When it comes to sex, it is impossible to eliminate all risk, but there are ways to reduce your risk and be safer, even if you can’t be completely risk free.

REDUCING STD RISK

Condoms are readily available, relatively inexpensive, and now even come in latex free options. When used correctly, every time, for the whole time, condoms can greatly reduce transmission of some STD’s.

There are some limitations worth mentioning. The first, is that condoms are not capable of eliminating skin to skin transmission of infections including Syphilis, HPV, and Herpes. Occasionally condoms can malfunction and break or slip off. In this case there is no protection against fluid-based transmission of infections, which would include HIV, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Trichomoniasis (or “trich”), not to mention pregnancy.

But, the most common reason that a condom fails is that it was never used at all. Maybe it wasn’t available, it would break the mood, or it was too embarrassing to bring it up with a partner.

Whatever the reason, it’s usually not a good enough excuse. Even though they aren’t perfect, they work much better when you use them.

Most commonly, STD testing is damage control and not prevention. People get tested to see if they have already been infected. The better way to approach screening is for both partners to get tested before they have sex.

There are a few limitations here. Timing is everything. It takes weeks to even months after an exposure before STD’s can be identified on a test. So testing too soon can give a false negative result. In addition, typically only the reportable diseases are screened for. HPV, Herpes, and Trichomoniasis are not reportable and generally excluded from routine STD screening. Just because someone has been tested there are no guarantees that they free from all infections

A mutually monogamous, long term relationship greatly reduces risk, because it comes with a significant decrease in number of exposures compared to casual, short term, open, or unfaithful relationships.

There is a wide range of commitment levels and relationship durations, but marriage generally is the highest level of commitment because of the forever intention and the willingness to be legally bound.

Impairment from drugs and alcohol contribute to a significant amount of STD transmission. Even with good intentions, overuse of substances makes it difficult to follow through with healthy decisions about who, why, when, where and how we go about having sex. Sadly, drugs, alcohol and date rate rape drugs are often factors in sexual assault situations. Moderation and safety are critical.

Abstinence simply means, not having, or abstaining from sex. You simply cannot get something you aren’t exposed to. Keep in mind, however, this means abstaining from all types of sexual contact, not just intercourse. All STD’s can be spread through oral sex and people tend to be more at risk during oral sex because barriers are rarely used.

Abstinence is the only 100% method of preventing not only STD’s, but pregnancy too.

what are the other risks

Having sex definitely comes with physical risk of STD’s and pregnancy, but have you ever considered how sex can impact your emotional, mental and spiritual health?

Sex will always be a vulnerable place in your life. It opens your heart to the possibility of immense hurt as you seek to love and be loved. It can leave you feeling depressed or devalued because of how a partner treated you or anxious and overwhelmed because of the physical consequences that might come after. As you think about making healthy sexual decisions, remember to consider not just your body, but also your heart, mind, and soul.

Call 865-525-4673 to request a cost-free appointment at Hope Resource Center today.