Safe Sex

Informative Essay on Safe Sex - 1 -

Introduction

Safe Sex or Protected Sex is a set of practices that became prominent in the late 1980 's as a result of the AIDS epidemic (Wikipedia . Safe sex practices are designed to reduce the risk of contracting an infection during sexual intercourse (Wikipedia . Nowadays , due to an increase in risk taking behavior where sexual intercourse is concerned safe sex practices are used to prevent a number of infections commonly known as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI 's ) or Diseases (STD 's which come in

the form of HIV (which would later on result in AIDS herpes , gonorrhea , chlamydia , syphilis , and genital warts to name a few STI 's are contracted via an exchange of bodily fluid through sexual contact with an infected individual (STD Public Information Source

This essay will take the reader through the various methods of safe sex , as well as the benefits and risks that come with each

Abstinence

Common sense would tell us that prevention is the best cure , thus abstinence would be the most foolproof of all safe sex methods Abstinence essentially would mean refraining from engaging in sexual activity entirely (Wikipedia , though from a health standpoint it would mean avoiding both anal and vaginal intercourse (Sexual Health Information

Abstinence would seem to be the most effective preventive measure against STI 's given that if followed correctly , it should not permit any exchange of bodily fluids between two parties . Members of religious organizations that do not believe in intercourse before marriage , as well as by concerned parents and members of society usually advocate this method

Though contrary to popular belief , abstinence does not guarantee 100 protection against STI 's (Sexual Health Information . Infections can still be passed from one partner to another if in the case of outercourse , or non penetrative sex , there is genital to genital contact or if ejaculation occurs on the outside of the vagina (Sexual Health Information . Moreover , some infections such as crabs or herpes can also be passed merely through skin-to-skin contact , without an exchange of bodily fluids (Sexual Health Information

Monogamy

Another effective way to prevent STI 's would be to enter into a monogamous relationship or to engage in intercourse with only a single partner , who in turn will not engage in sexual intercourse with any other partner (Royal Adelaide Hospital

This method is self-explanatory . As mentioned above , STI 's are passed on through exchange of bodily fluids with an infected partner , thus there would be little to no risk of infection should one be careful in selecting one 's partner and if both parties practice monogamy faithfully (Royal Adelaide Hospital

Though before entering into a serious relationship wherein one or both parties have engaged in sexual relations with other partners prior to entering the relationship , it would also be advisable to get tested prior to engaging in sexual intercourse for the first time

Contraceptive Measures

For those who cannot deny themselves the thrill of engaging in sexual relations with casual and...