What is Safe Sex?

Safe sex is also known as protected sex. It refers to sexual activity wherein, the engaged people have taken the necessary precautions. These precautions are against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Owing to the fact that by taking precaution one can reduce the risk of disease transmission, some people prefer to call it ‘safer sex’.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are now addressed as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This is because an infected person can pass the infection to the other person without showing signs of the disease.

Safe sex is about protecting yourself and your partner from unwanted pregnancy and STIs. Here it is important to know that STIs not only spread from unprotected sexual intercourse but oral sex can equally contribute to its spread. People with oral herpes (a type of blister on the face and mouth) can spread STIs even by kissing.

There are various forms of protection available for safe sex. The best sex tip for safer sex is to use reliable protection.

• Condom is a type of birth control that is used during sexual intercourse. It covers the penis during sexual activity and is made up of either polyurethane or latex.
• Another sought after method for safe sex is the oral contraceptive pill. They contain synthetic female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that prevent the release of the egg from ovaries. You can consult your gynaecologist about the oral contraceptive that would best suit you.
• Many other contraceptive methods can be used for safer sex. For instance, injectable contraceptives, birth control skin patches, diaphragm, contraceptive sponge, spermicides, female condoms and vaginal rings are the other contraceptives for safe sex.

Experts suggest the use of double protection for increasing the chances of staying away from STIs and unwanted pregnancy. You can use birth control pills along with another contraceptive to double your protection. It is a sex fact that unprotected intercourse can be a dangerous game. So it is wise to play it smart and understand the importance of minimising risk.

The only way to get 100% protection from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases is abstinence. Precautions can only minimise the risk. Therefore, you can adopt some other methods to keep STIs and unwanted pregnancy at bay.

• Get immunization against viral infections that can be transmitted sexually. HVP vaccine is an important vaccine for this purpose.
• According to the World Health Organization, male circumcision can reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
• Get tested for STIs.
• Communicating with your partner before sexual intercourse can also help to minimise the risk of both unwanted pregnancy and STIs. 

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