Whether it is a hookup or a long term relationship, sex is an integral and exciting part. But, recently, there has been an increase in very dangerous STIs and also a spike in unplanned pregnancies. The good thing is you can still have sex and prevent both STIs and unwanted pregnancies. There are dozens of ways to keep sex safe, you want to find out more? Continue reading.

Why Practice Safe Sex?

Sex is amazing, that is just plain fact, and technology has made it easy for anyone to have it as often as possible. There are dozens of dating sites out there that have helped people cross sexual bridges they never imagined. Sexual liberation has also made it possible to freely have sex anyway you like. And, yeah, I am talking about those kinky threesomes and those choky blowjobs, all that casual sex wherever you are! This would probably be the best time to live for sex lovers out in the world.

However, the increase in sexual liberty has also led to an increase in sexually-related problems like STIs and unplanned pregnancies. There has been a huge spike in STIs in recent years, and it would suck to come out of a sex session with crabs. The worst part is crabs are not even the worst STI, dozens of other STIs are way worse. STDs like Human Papillomavirus, gonorrhea, and HIV can make your life a living hell. Even though they may cause severe discomfort, they are also incurable.

Imagine getting something you cannot get rid of for the rest of your life after a couple of rounds. What makes STIs a whole lot worse is that most of them will progress to a point where you can no longer have sex. Imagine not having all that casual sex ever again because you decided to have sex without protection.

As such, the fact that STDs can come between you and sex is something we should not take lightly. It then becomes imperative that whenever you decide to sleep with someone, you use protection! Deaths due to HIV have decreased significantly over the past years, but this should not persuade you to try your chances with raw sex because it always ends in tears, always. If you’re really craving some skin-to-skin action, you just might want to try out realistic sex dolls for a unique, tech-enabled sexcapade!

Surprise! You’re Now a Baby Mama/Daddy!

Unplanned pregnancies are another main reason why safe sex is always a good thing to practice. Having a child without a comprehensive plan can be one of the worst things that could happen to you. Imagine suffering a while drastic life change for the sake of five minutes of raw casual sex action!

Most people who get unintended pregnancies are unmarried, and getting married just because you conceived a baby together might not be a very cool idea, especially if the pregnancy was a result of a hook-up and not a long-term relationship. I would like to make it clear that childcare is very expensive. If you are not financially able to take care of a child right now, that should be reason enough to have safe sex.

How to Have Safe Sex

Condoms

This is the cheapest and most accessible form of protection you can use during sex. Condoms, if used properly, can prevent most of the transmittable diseases, and they can prevent pregnancy too. Condoms are a 2 in 1 package contraception and a barrier to prevent STDs. Back in the day, most people, mostly casual sex fans, used to complain that condoms didn’t give as much sensation as raw sex, which was true back then.

Condom manufacturers, however, have made innovations, and now condoms are razor-thin to ensure that you feel every sensation during sex. They have also worked on the smell that most people used to complain about, and now condoms are available in all sorts of flavors. Given such a scenario, there is absolutely no reason why you should not wear a condom, none whatsoever!

Condom manufacturers have also made something special for those of us who love it kinky. There are studded condoms and glow-in-the-dark condoms to make your sexual experience both safe and adventurous. Condoms are available in a variety of sizes too, no matter how big or tiny your ding dong is, there is always one for you. They also come with proper lubrication to ensure that your sexual experience is pleasurable and not painful.

Get Tested

I would tell you to abstain, but that is rarely an option these days. There are people out there that hate condoms and would go the extra mile to find a way not to use them. If you do decide to have unprotected sex (which you really shouldn’t), you should ensure that your partner has a clean bill of health. Both you and your sex partner must be tested for the common STIs before you decide to have raw sex (don’t do it!).

Knowing whether your partner is going to infect you or not is very important before engaging in unprotected sex, the last thing you would want is getting angry at someone for lying to you about their health. Most people are not willing to disclose their health status, especially if it is just a hook-up. Unlike sincere singles seeking long-term relationships, hook-ups rarely disclose their health ailments in their profiles!

There are a lot of funny myths and lies out there, like the pulling-out method! Forgoing the STI infection risk, there’s never a guarantee that totally prevents pregnancy! Ensure that your partner either has a physical barrier like a diaphragm or is on family planning medication. Also, oral sex is not as safe as claimed, it can just as easily lead to STIs! Try using stuff like dental dams to prevent the spread of diseases during oral sex.

Post-Exposure Treatment

Got carried away and hit it raw last night during that steamy casual sex session? There is a new kind of medication called Post Exposure Prophylaxis(PEP). Getting PEP might help you prevent contracting diseases like HIV, but, before you throw the condoms out the window, there is a catch! PEP only works if you receive it within 72 hours, AND it doesn’t prevent STIs!

If you have sex with someone, and you feel that you might have been exposed to HIV, find a clinic as soon as possible and get PEP. For the ladies, if you are not planning to have a child, and you were not on contraceptives, you must get emergency contraceptive pills too!

Conclusion

Sounds like a lot to take in, doesn’t it? Well, don’t let it scare you. As long as you are consistent in your protective measures, you’ll be good to go! It’s also a pretty good idea to be upfront about your safe-sex preferences in your dating personal ad. Think it will lower your matching chances? That’s a myth, simply check out the Wickedlist blog on how to get more dates and refine your profile for success. Happy hunting!