It’s about respect – and responsibility – for yourself and your partner. Before deciding to have sex it pays to think about protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You’ve already taken a big step by looking for answers to your questions and getting the facts.
If you choose to be sexually active, using condoms correctly and consistently is a key way to protect your sexual health. Don’t be shy to talk with your partner about safer sex and condoms: For both of you, this is one of the most important conversations you can have. It’s also one of the smartest!
A partner might have specific reasons for not wanting to use condoms. Look over this list to get ideas about how to respond if you ever feel pressured to have sex without a condom:
“This is the only way I feel comfortable having sex but believe me, it’ll still be good even with protection! And it lets us both just focus on each other instead of worrying about all that other stuff…”
“Of course I trust you, but anyone can have an STI and not even know it. This is just a way to take care of both of us.”
“I have some, right here.”
“I can show you – want me to put it on for you?”
“It only takes one time to get pregnant or to get an STI. I just can’t have sex unless I know I’m as safe as I can be.”
“This is for both of us…and I won’t have sex without protection. Let me show you how good it can be – even with a condom.”
“But that doesn’t protect us from STIs, so I still want to be safe, for both of us.”
Just like the people to whom they’re attached, penises come in all shapes and sizes (some would even argue personalities, but that’s beyond our scope here). Condoms come in different shapes and sizes as well, so anyone can find a condom that’s right for them.
Explore ways to make sex safer and communicate with your sexual partners about your expectations and boundaries.
Currently, condoms are the only widely available, proven method for reducing transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during sex. Condoms work.
There’s potential good news in gonorrhea prevention as a series of studies suggests that certain meningococcal B (MenB) vaccines can reduce the risk of gonorrhea.
There is new guidance on pain management for IUD insertion and acknowledgement that providers often underestimate the pain patients feel during their procedures.
When we talk about contraception, we usual think about things that we can get from our doctors or pharmacists, but the truth is preventing pregnancy can be a simple as changing your behavior.
ASHA believes that all people have the right to the information and services that will help them to have optimum sexual health. We envision a time when stigma is no longer associated with sexual health and our nation is united in its belief that sexuality is a normal, healthy, and positive aspect of human life.
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