Safe Sex

Sex safety doesn't end with condoms...

Safer sex does not just entail wearing a condom, but also includes keeping clean, knowing what to avoid and making the right decisions.

Keeping clean

Practicing safer sex is indeed much more involved than simply wearing a condom. Couples must be conscious of the potential dangers and avoid engaging in risky behavior.

There are a number of fluids involved in sex - urine, feces, semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, and blood - fluids with which either partner can come into contact through the course of virtually any form of sexual activity. Many of these fluids are excellent carriers of disease, and should be handled with care.

* Never have vaginal sex after anal sex without washing first. The feces carry many organisms that can infect the vagina, and can be transferred by a penis, dildo, mouth or finger like a bee transfers pollen. Wash well or use a different condom to make sure you don't cause infection.
* Never share condoms, dildos or sex toys. A condom should only ever be used once. If you do plan to use a sex toy or dildo that was used by someone else, remember to wash it well with soap and water. If you are really unsure, you can even use bleach to clean these items, and rinse them extremely well, or put a condom over the object.
* Always wash well before anal play. Anal play is safer if you wash the anus and surrounding area with soap and water beforehand. It is also recommended that you defecate (have a bowel movement) well before you begin.
* Always wash towels and bedsheets. Some STDs (such as scabies) can be transmitted through fabric. Never reuse towels used to wash up after sex as a hand or face towel; just throw any towels straight into the laundry, or use bathroom tissue.