What are the safe sex steps?
Safe Sex Steps: A Complete Guide to Sexual Health
Sex is a normal part of life for many grown-ups. Staying safe when you have sex is very important to keep you and your partner healthy and happy. Safe sex means taking steps to stop diseases from spreading and to avoid having a baby when you don’t want one. This guide will help you learn all about the steps you can take to have safe and healthy sex.
Understanding Safe Sex
Safe sex is about making smart choices that protect your body and health. It means using things like condoms, getting checked by a doctor, and talking openly with your partner. Safe sex helps stop the spread of infections that can pass from one person to another during sex. These are called sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Safe sex also helps stop pregnancy when you’re not ready to have a baby.
Why Safe Sex Matters
Safe sex matters because it keeps you healthy. STIs can make you very sick if they are not treated. Some STIs can stay in your body for a long time and cause problems later in life. Having a baby is a big job that needs planning. Safe sex gives you the power to choose when you want to start a family.
Common Myths About Safe Sex
Many people believe things about sex that aren’t true. Let’s set the record straight:
- You can get an STI the first time you have sex
- You can get an STI even if your partner looks clean and healthy
- Washing after sex does not stop STIs or pregnancy
- Birth control pills stop pregnancy but do not stop STIs
- Pulling out before finishing is not a good way to stop pregnancy
- You can get some STIs from oral sex too
Safe Sex Steps
Talk With Your Partner
Before you have sex, talk with your partner about safe sex. This might feel a bit weird or hard to do, but it’s very important. Ask about their sexual health history and when they last got checked for STIs. Share your own history too. Talk about what kinds of protection you will use. Make sure you both agree on your plan to stay safe.
Get Tested Regularly
Getting tested for STIs is a key part of safe sex. Many STIs don’t cause signs you can see or feel. The only way to know for sure if you have one is to get tested. You and your partner should get tested before you start having sex together. Then keep getting tested once a year or when you get a new partner.
Use Protection
Using protection during sex is the best way to stop STIs and pregnancy. Here are the main types:
Condoms
Condoms are thin covers that go over the penis. They catch the fluid that comes out during sex. This stops it from getting inside the other person’s body. Condoms are the only form of birth control that also help stop most STIs.
How to use an outside condom:
- Check the date on the pack to make sure it’s not too old
- Open the pack carefully – don’t use teeth or scissors
- Pinch the tip of the condom to leave some space
- Roll it down all the way to the base of the penis
- After sex, hold the base while pulling out
- Take it off, tie it, and throw it in the trash
Inside condoms (sometimes called female condoms) fit inside the vagina instead of on the penis. They work the same way as outside condoms.
Other Birth Control Methods
There are many other ways to stop pregnancy, but remember most of these do NOT stop STIs:
- Birth control pills
- IUD (a small device put in the uterus by a doctor)
- Birth control shot
- Birth control patch
- Birth control ring
- Birth control implant
| Method | Stops Pregnancy | Stops STIs | How Long It Works | Needs Prescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outside Condom | Yes | Yes | One-time use | No |
| Inside Condom | Yes | Yes | One-time use | No |
| Birth Control Pills | Yes | No | Daily | Yes |
| IUD | Yes | No | 3-10 years | Yes |
| Birth Control Shot | Yes | No | 3 months | Yes |
| Birth Control Patch | Yes | No | Weekly | Yes |
| Birth Control Ring | Yes | No | Monthly | Yes |
| Birth Control Implant | Yes | No | 3-5 years | Yes |
Practice Good Hygiene
Keeping clean is part of safe sex. Wash your hands before and after sex. Clean your private parts with mild soap and water before and after sex. Pee after sex to help clear out germs from your urethra (the tube where pee comes out). This helps stop some infections.
Know Your Body
Pay attention to how your body looks and feels. If you notice anything strange like bumps, sores, weird discharge, burning when you pee, or pain in your private parts, see a doctor. Don’t be shy – doctors help people with these problems every day.
Make Smart Choices
Safe sex also means making smart choices about when and with whom you have sex. Don’t have sex when you’re drunk or high because you might forget to use protection. Pick partners who care about your health and safety. Remember it’s always OK to say no to sex if you don’t feel safe or ready.
Special Safe Sex Topics
Safe Sex for Different Types of Sex
Different kinds of sex need different safety steps:
- Vaginal sex: Use condoms or other birth control to stop pregnancy. Condoms also help stop STIs.
- Anal sex: Always use condoms and plenty of lube (a slippery gel that makes sex more comfortable). The skin in this area tears easily, which can let in infections.
- Oral sex: Use condoms on a penis or dental dams (thin sheets of latex) on a vagina or anus to stop STIs.
Safe Sex for LGBTQ+ People
Safe sex is important for everyone, no matter who you love. LGBTQ+ people should follow the same basic safe sex steps. Use condoms or dental dams to stop STIs. Get tested regularly. Talk openly with partners about sexual health.
Safe Sex and Consent
Safe sex includes getting clear permission, or consent, from your partner. Always make sure your partner wants to have sex before you start. Check in with them during sex to make sure they still feel good about what’s happening. Remember that anyone can change their mind at any time, and that’s OK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get pregnant the first time I have sex?
Yes! You can get pregnant any time you have vaginal sex without protection, even the very first time.
If I take birth control pills, do I still need condoms?
Yes, if you want to stop STIs. Birth control pills only stop pregnancy, not STIs. Condoms help stop both.
Can I get an STI from oral sex?
Yes, some STIs can spread through oral sex. Using condoms or dental dams during oral sex helps keep you safe.
How often should I get tested for STIs?
You should get tested before each new partner and about once a year if you’re sexually active. Get tested more often if you have sex with many partners.
What should I do if a condom breaks during sex?
If a condom breaks and you’re worried about pregnancy, you can use emergency contraception (sometimes called the morning-after pill). You should also get tested for STIs.
Is withdrawal (pulling out) a good way to prevent pregnancy?
No. Some fluid that can cause pregnancy comes out before the main release. Also, people often don’t pull out fast enough. This method fails often.
Where can I get condoms?
You can buy condoms at drug stores, grocery stores, and some public bathrooms. Many health clinics give them out for free.
What if I’m too embarrassed to buy protection?
Remember that buying protection shows you’re being responsible. Store workers sell these items all the time and don’t judge. You can also buy online or get free condoms from health clinics.
Safe sex is all about taking care of yourself and your partner. It might seem like a lot to think about at first, but soon these steps will become a normal part of your sex life. Stay safe, get tested, use protection, and talk openly with your partners. Your health is worth it!
