A safer sex practice is a behaviour that reduces the risk of getting or spreading a sexually transmitted infection STI. They include:. Abstinence Abstinance refers to refraining from sexual activity. This is a sure-fire way to eliminate the risk of getting or spreading an STI. However, some STIs can be spread through non-penetrative activities such as deep kissing or body rubbing. Deep kissing can spread hepatitis B and body rubbing can spread genital warts and genital herpes. Enjoy solo activities When you are by yourself there is no chance of getting an STI; these infections are spread from one person to another by microorganisms.
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What is "safe" sex?
Safe sex is sexual activity using methods or devices such as condoms to reduce the risk of transmitting or acquiring sexually transmitted infections STIs , especially HIV. It is also sometimes used colloquially to describe methods aimed at preventing pregnancy that may or may not also lower STI risks. Promoting safe sex is now one of the main aims of sex education and STI prevention, especially reducing new HIV infections. Safe sex is regarded as a harm reduction strategy aimed at reducing the risk of STI transmission. Although some safe sex practices like condoms can also be used as birth control contraception , most forms of contraception do not protect against STIs. Likewise, some safe sex practices, such as partner selection and low-risk sex behavior, [ example needed ] might not be effective forms of contraception. Although strategies for avoiding STIs like syphilis and gonorrhea have existed for centuries and the term "safe sex" existed in English as early as the s, the use of the term to refer to STI-risk reduction dates to the mids in the United States.
Guidelines for safer sex
Preventing transmission of HIV-to others remains a critical element of care to protect both the health of those living with HIV and that of their partners. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommends 1 that clinicians who treat patients living with HIV infection integrate routine discussions about safer sexual practices into every office visit. Recent research suggests that health care provider-initiated brief conversations about sexual behavior at every visit, with every patient, can help HIV-infected patients adopt positive behavior changes, including:. Regular screening for STDs provides a benchmark for sexual behavioral assessment for both men and women living with HIV. For more, see Discussing Sexual Health. They may be uncomfortable or unable to disclose their HIV status to sexual or drug-injecting partners. Or they may use alcohol or drugs or have undiagnosed depression, any of which can cause disinhibition and lapses in judgment.
Safe sex is having sexual contact while protecting yourself and your sexual partner against sexually transmissible infections STIs and unplanned pregnancy. Unsafe sex may put you or your partner at risk of STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, Mycoplasma genitalium, HIV or hepatitis B, or may result in an unplanned pregnancy. Condoms offer the best available protection against STIs by acting as a physical barrier to prevent the exchange of semen, vaginal fluids or blood between partners. However, condoms do offer the best available protection when used correctly. Issues to consider include:. Ways that you can practise safer sex include:.
