Safer sex – protect yourself

• unplanned pregnancies
• sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 
• coercion or violence

Safer sex is consensual and pleasurable sex. There are many ways to practice safer sex. While no method is 100% effective, proper use of contraception and latex or polyurethane barriers (gloves, condoms, dams)  can lower risks.

Benefits of Safer Sex

Using condoms and other methods of safer sex  can help you and your partner to be more relaxed and enjoy sexual activity. Incorporating condom use into sexual activity by putting the condom on together and using spermicides or water based lubricants inside and outside the condom may increase pleasure. Although the risk is low, try to avoid using saliva as lubrication because Hepatitis B  and oral Herpes  can be transmitted through contact with an infected person’s saliva. Another benefit of using condoms is that they can also help prevent early ejaculation, thereby prolonging some sexual activities.

Using latex or polyurethane gloves and dams in sexual role playing and fantasies can help to make them a pleasurable and sexy part of sexual activity. Flavoured dams and gloves of various colours can help inspire sexual creativity and reduce transmission of STIs.

Understanding your sexual feelings and desires, and caring about the pleasure of your sexual partner as well as your own pleasure can help you to practice safer sex. Discussing safer sex concerns may assist in building feelings of intimacy, comfort, trust and honesty between sexual partners . As the level of intimacy increases, so does the level of sexual satisfaction. It is important to express your needs and desires. Communication about safer sex is an important part of expressing your sexuality.

Know the Risks

Some sexual activities pose greater risk of STI/HIV infection than others. Rate your risk in order to make informed choices. There are several sexual activities, like kissing, hugging, massage and mutual masturbation that pose very little risk of infection or unintended pregnancy.

For more information on pleasure and safer sex, visit The Pleasure Project.

Sources: International Planned Parenthood Federation. (August 2007). X-press: by and for young people (vol. 8). London, U.K.