How to Have Safe Sex

Whether you’re in a long-term relationship or considering becoming sexually active, prioritising safe sex is crucial to protect yourself and your partner. Practising safe sex not only reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but also helps prevent unplanned pregnancies. This guide covers everything you need to know about safe sex practices, including using barrier methods, supporting your sexual health, and handling situations when things don’t go as planned.

Key Takeaways

Practice Safe Sex:

Safe sex involves using barrier methods like condoms to prevent the exchange of bodily fluids, which helps protect against STIs and unplanned pregnancies. Regular sexual health screenings also ensure safer sex practices.

Use Condoms Correctly:

Condoms should be used from the start to the end of sexual activity and should be the correct size. Avoid using oil-based lubricants, check the expiration date, and never reuse condoms. Other barriers like latex gloves and dental dams can also be used for protection during different types of sexual activity.

Maintain Good Sexual Health:

Communicate openly with your partner about your preferences and boundaries. Limit the number of sexual partners and get regular health screenings to reduce the risk of STIs. Be cautious with alcohol consumption to avoid risky sexual behaviours, and consider intimate alternatives to sex if needed. If you've had unprotected sex, seek STI testing and consider pregnancy testing if your period is late.

What is Safe Sex?

Safe sex refers to practices that minimise the exchange of bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, or blood between partners. The most common way to ensure safe sex is by using barrier methods, such as condoms (Unity Sexual Health, 2024). Safe sex also includes intimate activities that pose a lower risk of STI transmission and maintaining regular sexual health check-ups.

How to Practise Safe Sex

1. Condoms

Condoms are one of the most effective tools for protecting against STIs and unplanned pregnancies. To maximise their effectiveness:

• Check the expiration date before use.

• Choose the right size to ensure a secure fit (GGO, 2024).

• Open carefully, avoiding tears from teeth, jewellery, or nails.

• Apply from start to finish, ensuring the condom is used from the beginning of intercourse.

• Use water-based lubricants to prevent damage to the condom.

• Never reuse a condom—always use a new one if it comes off or is removed (Your Sexual Health Matters, 2024).

Limitations of Condoms:

• Condoms only protect the areas they cover. STIs like pubic lice, genital warts, or herpes can still spread if present outside the condom’s coverage.

• Condoms may occasionally break. Reduce this risk by storing them at room temperature and avoiding expired products.

2. Other Barrier Methods

In addition to condoms, other barrier methods can be used to reduce STI transmission, including:

• Latex gloves: Useful for penetration with fingers (Terrance Higgins Trust, 2024).

• Dental dams: Thin sheets of latex placed over the genital area during oral sex.

3. Avoid Reliance on Diaphragms

Diaphragms protect against pregnancy but do not prevent STIs (NHS Inform, 2024). Always pair them with condoms to ensure comprehensive protection.

Supporting Good Sexual Health

1. Communicate with Your Partner

Openly discussing likes, dislikes, and boundaries ensures mutual understanding and respect (NHS Sexual Health Tayside, 2024). Honest communication is key to a safe and enjoyable sexual relationship.

2. Get Regular Sexual Health Screens

Regular STI tests help ensure you and your partner stay healthy (Terrance Higgins Trust, 2024). Testing is particularly important between new partners or after unprotected or higher-risk sex.

3. Limit the Number of Partners

Having fewer sexual partners reduces the risk of STI transmission. For those in monogamous relationships, the risk is significantly lower when neither partner has an STI.

The more partners you have, the higher the risk that an STI could be transmitted to you. The rates of STI's is increasing in young Londoners who tend to have more sexual partners and are less likley to use protection (GOV.UK, 2016). As some STIs do not have any symptoms, you could be in a sexual relationship with someone who does not realise they have an infection. For this reason, it is important to always use condoms with each partner to prevent STI transmission.

4. Be Mindful of Alcohol

Excessive drinking can impair judgment, leading to unsafe sex (GOV.UK, 2024). To reduce risks, avoid situations where alcohol might compromise decision-making or consider giving it up altogether.

Intimate Alternatives to Intercourse

If you or your partner are treating an STI or want to enjoy intimacy without full sexual activity, consider alternatives (Stroke Association, 2024), such as:

• Cuddling

• Massages

• Sharing a bath

• Kissing (be cautious with deep kissing if STIs like herpes are a concern)

• Mutual masturbation

Preparing for Safe Sex

Preparation enhances both safety and enjoyment. Follow these tips:

• Have condoms and barriers ready—store them in accessible locations like a bedside table or purse.

• Discuss preferences with your partner, such as using lubricants to increase comfort and pleasure.

• Layer protection if needed, such as combining condoms with a dental dam or hormonal contraception to prevent pregnancy.

What to Do After Unprotected Sex

If you’ve had unprotected sex, take action promptly:

1. Visit a Sexual Health Clinic
   Get tested for STIs and seek professional advice.

2. Consider Emergency Contraception
   If concerned about pregnancy, emergency contraception can be effective if taken within 72 hours.

3. Use Home Testing Kits
   For privacy, order STI testing kits online for at-home use.

4. Take a Pregnancy Test
   If worried about unplanned pregnancy, test around the time your period is due. If negative but your period is late, retest after a few days.

Final Thoughts

Safe sex is about protecting yourself and your partner while maintaining a healthy and enjoyable relationship. By using barrier methods, staying informed, and maintaining open communication, you can enjoy intimacy with peace of mind. If you suspect an STI or have concerns, don’t hesitate to visit your local sexual health clinic for testing and advice. Safe sex is empowering and ensures a healthier future for you and your partner.