Dating Advice

7 Safer Sex Tips
by DatingBetter.com

Safe sex is the responsibility of all parties involved. Knowledge and application are the best tools for keeping time under the sheets fun, positive, and safe...

1. Contraception:
   No form of contraception is bullet proof against unwanted pregnancy and most offer little to no protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Combining condoms and the pill when having intercourse provides a backup in case one of these birth control methods fail. Remember that the condom must be put on properly, otherwise it does not provide reliable protection. Some additional contraceptives are IUDs, the birth control patch, Depo-Provera injections, female condoms, spermicides, the sponge, cervical barriers, vasectomy, and sterilization. Of these methods, only condoms offer some level of protection against STDs. Effectiveness of each method in preventing pregnancy varies significantly. 100% protection against unwanted pregnancy is only offered by abstinence.
2. Protection against STDs:
   Again, no method of safer sex promises guaranteed protection against contracting an STD, though physical barriers like condoms, when used properly, do offer significant protection. Guarding against STDs does not end at intercourse. Infections can be transmitted by small, even unnoticeable, cuts and abrasions that may transfer minute amounts of blood. This can be a factor during finger insertion oral stimulation of any kind, as well as during direct genital to genital contact. Saliva is another method of disease transmission. Consider using dental dams during cunnilingus, male condoms during fellatio, and medical latex gloves for finger penetration or mutual masturbation. Condoms should be used with sex toys because it provides for better hygiene and prevents transmission of infections between users. Cleaning of sex toys is very important because many toys porous and can retain viruses and bacteria.
3. Fluids:
   Be careful using foreign fluids or objects along with condoms or other latex barriers. Oil based fluids can break down the structure of the latex and thus undo the protection it was providing. For this reason water-based lubricants should be used instead.
4. Check-ups:
   It is important to get regular check-ups from a doctor, not only when you notice unusual symptoms. Unfortunately HIV is almost symptom free until AIDS develops. Be cautious and aware of the different sexual transmitted diseases out there. Left untreated, sexually transmitted diseases can cause infertility, cancer, birth defects and miscarriages, or even death.
5. Sexual Partners:
   Reducing the number of one's sexual partners, both successive and simultaneous, reduces one's potential exposure to STDs. However, even being monogamous doesn’t guarantee against infection with sexually transmitted diseases by partners who are sexually unfaithful, have used injection drugs, contaminated by needles used in tattooing or body piercing, or were infected by previous sexual partners.
6. Communication:
   Mainly with a new partner, it is important to discuss what activities you will engage in and what precautions you will take. This can reduce the chance of risky decisions being made in the heat of passion. When entering a monogamous relationship with a new partner, you can increase the protection offered by monogamy by both taking a full STD test to ensure you are both free of STDs going in.
7. Awarness of HIV:
   Per the World Health Organization “HIV is the virus that causes AIDS and is spread when semen, vaginal fluid or blood passes from an HIV positive person into the bloodstream of another person. To enter the bloodstream, the virus must enter through a break in the skin or tissue in the mouth, vagina or rectum, or, enter the tip of the penis. The virus then breaks down our immune systems that fight off infection and other illnesses. People tend to contract fairly harmless bacterial or viral contagions, which under normal immune operating conditions would simply keep you in bed for a couple of days, but when the immune system doesn’t work even a common cold can be fatal”

Good Luck Dating Better!

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