Safer Sex Methods
Safer sex means taking steps to keep yourself as healthy and emotionally well as possible during sexual activity. This includes preventing pregnancy, lowering risk for STIs, and having healthy communication in sexual relationships.
Questions to consider for safer sex
Is there a risk for pregnancy?
For pregnancy to occur there needs to be a sperm and an egg. If either you and your partner/s can get pregnant it is important to communicate what will happen in the case that it does occur. If you do not want to get pregnant, make sure to use a condom or another form of contraception 避孕 / birth control.
STI prevention
Using safer sex methods correctly during each instance of sexual activity greatly reduces the risk for STIs (sexually transmitted infections). There are several approaches to lowering your STI risk such as using barrier methods (condoms or dental dams,) getting tested with your partner/s, or adjusting the type of sexual activity. Learn more about STIs here.
Get to know your body and boundaries
Understanding your own pleasures, likes and dislikes is an important part of healthy communication in any relationship. It's also important to know what types of sexual activity you are willing and interested to do, and what activities you are not comfortable with. Making an agreement with partner/s about which safer sex methods you will use is also very important. Find more resources about communication and consent here.