SAFE SEX IEC

HOW TO PRACTICE SAFE SEX

Safe sex’ is sexual contact that doesn’t involve the exchange of semen, vaginal fluids or
blood between partners. 

It is said that 85% will get pregnant within a year if a couple have regular sex and don’t
use contraception.

The Social Weather Stations (SWS) reported that 59% or almost 6 out of 10 Filipinos,
polled in November 2020, believe that teenage pregnancy is the most important
problem of women today.

Apart from teen mothers, fathers aged below 20 have also steadily increased since
2010.

Here are some guidelines which may provide for safer sex:

 Use contraceptives everytime you have sex. One of the best ways is by using a barrier
— like condoms, internal condoms, dental dams, and/or latex or nitrile gloves —
every single time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or do anything that can pass sexual
fluids.

 Think twice before beginning sexual relations with a new partner. First, discuss
past partners, history of STIs, and drug use.
 Use condoms every time you have sex. Choose a male condom made of latex or
polyurethane--not natural materials. Only use polyurethane if you are allergic to
latex. Female condoms are made of polyurethane.
 Although studies say that nonoxynol-9 spermicide kills HIV in lab testing, it has
not been determined whether spermicides, used alone or with condoms, provide
protection against HIV. There are data that shows nonoynol-9 may increase the
risk of HIV transmission, However, the CDC recommends that latex condoms,
with or without spermicides, should be used to help prevent sexual transmission
of HIV.
 For oral sex, help protect your mouth by having your partner use a condom (male
or female).
 Avoid drinking alcohol or using drugs as this increases the chance that you will
participate in high-risk sex.
 Women should not douche after intercourse--it does not protect against STIs.
And, it could spread an infection farther into the reproductive tract, and can wash
away spermicidal protection.
 Have regular Pap tests, pelvic exams, and periodic tests for STIs.
 Be aware of your partner's body. Look for signs of a sore, blister, rash, or
discharge.
  Check your body frequently for signs of a sore, blister, rash, or discharge.
 Consider sexual activities other than vaginal, oral, or anal sex. These are
techniques that do not involve the exchange of body fluids or contact between
mucous membranes.

The top concern was the lack of correct information regarding sexual and reproductive
health, which 82% of the respondents listed as the first priority, followed by the lack of
guidance from parents and guardians which accounted for 75 percent and lastly, the lack of
access to adolescent sexual and reproductive health services, such as contraceptive
commodities, which amount to 65 percent.

Having sex with only one partner who only has sex with you when neither of you has a
sexually transmitted infection (STI) is believed to be safe. However, many healthcare
professionals believe there really is no such thing as safe sex. They believe the only
way to be truly safe is not to have sex because all forms of sexual contact carry some
risk.