How to Have Safe Sex: Here’s Your Fun Guide to Keep Things Hot and Healthy

Let’s talk about how consent, communication, and smart tips will make your hookups safer than ever.

Safe sex shouldn’t be complicated, but whether you’re in a relationship or just a fan of hookups, it’s a must, and in this easy, no-judgment guide, we’ll walk you through some tips for using protection and setting boundaries for your peace of mind.

Read on for some quick, real-life advice on how to have safe sex, so you can stay healthy without losing the fun.

What is Safe Sex?

To practice safe sex, the people involved during the deed should be mindful enough to prevent exchanging vaginal or seminal fluids, or even blood, and it not only protects the couple or multiple partners physically, but also psychologically. 

Safe sex will not only protect everyone from unwanted pregnancy, but also from STIs, and in fact, during 2016 in the United States alone, the spread of STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia were record high, that affected 2 million people, according to EMPR.

It’s crazy how infections can spread, and if you’re not that careful, you might pick something up, so use protection and always clean those toys. 

What to Watch Out for When It Comes to Safe Sex?

Let's get real: safe sex is great sex. And if you're both not yet ready for a baby, you can use birth control methods (oral medications, barriers, or implants) to prevent any surprises.

And to prevent getting infected, barriers like condoms and dental dams will always be your best bet, because they’re easy to purchase, and they’ll likely protect you from getting anything, especially if hooking up with multiple partners is your thing.

But if having sex with a total stranger still scares you a bit, you can still explore your desires alone by playing with yourself, or you can also add some toys to the thrill to make it feel like you’re doing it with a partner.

If you’re a penis owner, you can go for something easy to use yet powerful like this Fantasy Cup, and for vulva owners, they can use a toy that’s easy to clean, hide, and use, like this Naughty Clock, especially if they’re still new to using these mischievous devices.

Does Safe Sex Have Other Perks?

A lot, actually. Sure, safe sex can prevent any disease transmission or pregnancy, but it can also make you feel confident.

It also enhances the feeling of compassion between partners because they look at each other’s well-being first, and pleasure just comes second.

Imagine a sudden thought makes you worried, and eventually, it kills the mood; it doesn't sound lovely, ain't it? 

Keeping it safe gives you peace of mind, so you can just enjoy the moment, and remember, it isn’t only limited to the physical body, because being consensual, respectful of boundaries, and not causing any harm to others are also part of safe sex practices.

Why Should You Care About Practicing Safe Sex With a Partner?

Before you engage in any sexual encounter, whether you’re already in a long-term relationship or just treading the waters, you might wanna use these practices as you can for a better and safer sexual experience.

As Always, Talk About It Openly

Communication will take you far when it comes to sex, and it’s a great way to understand more of the social stigma associated with it, so try to share your previous experiences and list each other’s boundaries to follow them precisely.

Does it feel awkward when you and your partner talk about sex? Then you might wanna take a look at the underlying causes why you and your partner feel this way. Try to address these barriers one step at a time, no pressure.

Ask each other what type of condom you should use, what birth control method, and even your limitations and behavior when you’re sexually active with each other.

If you have a partner with a vulva, they are also likely to reach the Big O more frequently after having a sexy chat, as per Medical News Today, and that’s another pretty solid perk.

Learn Your ABCs and Condoms

You'd better learn about condoms first if it's your first time getting down and dirty. 

External Condoms

These types are made for penis owners and are worn externally, and the usual type that you see in advertisements or given as a freebie on the streets.  

Thin yet durable, they also come with different textures and styles to make each sensation feel different.

Better check the size of your junk first before heading to the nearest store, because it often comes in different sizes, and go for non-latex ones if you have a latex allergy. 

External condoms are also great to use on vibrators or dildos when shared, or when being switched in different orifices.

Internal Condoms

Also made from synthetic and body-safe rubber, but instead of being worn externally, they’re put inside the vagina or anus.

It also has these two flexible rings at each end to hold everything up, and some of them are already lubricated and ready to insert and use.

Diaphragm

Next one is the diaphragm, which appears as a cup-like barrier, usually made of soft and body-safe silicone. 

It’s designed to cover the entire vaginal opening and the cervix, so this makes it a great option to prevent pregnancy, but using this one alone won’t guarantee that you’re also safe from STIs, because the limited parts it covers still open possibilities for some contact.

Opt for Regular Testing for STIs

If you’re in a long-term relationship and you and your partner just stick to each other forever, then it’s likely that you’re safe from any risk of getting it. You’ll be fine if you get checked at least once a year.

But if you’re an adventurer, then it’s advised that you get yourself checked every three to six months, and the earlier things are caught, the easier the treatment will be.

To get you familiarized, here are the most commonly encountered forms of STIs that you can get during unprotected sex:

Gonorrhea

This bacterial infection usually impacts the genitals, throat, and rectum, and often comes without symptoms, but can cause discharge and burning pain when peeing.

Chlamydia

The most common type of STI, chlamydia also doesn’t come with symptoms, but once they appear, it can be painful to pee, there’s discharge, and it can lead to infertility if not treated.

Syphilis

Starts with a painless sore, then develops in stages, and can be spread through direct contact, but syphilis is easier to treat once caught early.

Genital Herpes

Another STI that can be passed through direct contact; this causes painful sores that last for weeks, and there’s no cure for genital herpes, but you can manage its symptoms by taking an antiviral medication.

HIV

HIV attacks the immune system, so it gets pretty serious once you contract this virus and not treat it, because it can lead to AIDS.

Don’t Think Ahead of Yourself

For whatever comes next, you should always be ready.

So try to keep a condom with you at all times, make sure you do it with someone you already know and trust, and if a condom breaks, don’t panic; you can always head to the nearest pharmacy to ask for an emergency contraception pill.

Other Safe Sex Tips That Can Be Applied to Your Next Sexual Encounter

Sticking to one partner can lower your risk of contracting anything, but it won't hurt to keep these tips in mind:

• If you’re getting down with someone new, talk and discuss past relations, sexual habits, their history of STIs, or if they use any substance.
• Each time you get intimate with someone familiar or not, make sure to use a condom and make it a non-negotiable. 
• During oral sex, you can use an external or internal condom too, to keep your mouth protected.
• To stay clear-headed and avoid making any risky decisions, skip the alcohol and drugs. 
• For vulva owners, never douche after a contact, because it won’t prevent pregnancy or STIs, but rather, it would just drive the infection farther inside.
• Always check yourself and your partner’s body, and see if there are any rashes, sores, or noticeable discharge, and if there is, go see your doc. 
• Anything that involves anal, oral, vaginal, or body fluids is a sexual activity. 

Watch Out for Signs

If you start worrying because you just had unprotected sex, then you should go to a family planning or sexual health clinic to get an assessment, especially if you notice any symptoms of STIs, like pain when peeing, discharge, or some sores and bumps.

Your doc might ask you about your sexual history, get you screened, and check the exposed areas, like your mouth and genitals.

Be as open with your healthcare provider as possible, and get immediate help if you’ve experienced sexual assault or violence, and don’t worry, because all you tell them is confidential.

Did You Just Have Unprotected Sex?

Other than getting yourself checked for STIs and popping that morning pill, you can also prevent a urinary tract infection from happening by peeing after any contact.

It flushes away all the bacteria, so they won’t go up there inside your urethra. Always better than douching.

You might also want to ask your doc for some Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to help you reduce getting HIV, especially if you did it with someone you just met, and it needs to start within the next 72 hours after getting down with someone, but you still might need to take it every day for 28 days. 

FAQs

I always support safe sex, but my partner isn’t really into condoms. Any advice?

First, don’t take things too personally, and try to gently explain how using protection can benefit you both, and if it’s a non-negotiable for you, then that’s valid, and if they see you as someone important, they’ll be willing to compromise.   

I want to learn more about my new partner’s STI status, but how can I ask them? 

Just keep it real, try to be respectful, and if your partner’s mature enough, they would see the question as a smart one, but if they overreacted so badly after you asked, then you better run.

What signs should I look for if my partner’s not respecting my boundaries?

Well, the biggest red flag would be if they keep on pushing you even if you already said no. Another thing is if they make fun of your concerns rather than addressing them like a grown adult. Find someone who listens to you and respects you, because your boundaries aren’t up for debate.

Let’s Wrap Things Up, Sexy and Safely

Safe sex shouldn’t make you feel dreadful, and it works better if you're both being honest with each other, well-prepared, and on the same page.

If you encounter any mishaps, it’s alright, because there’s nothing a good chat can't solve, and if you and your partner value each other, you can always adjust to each other’s needs to make your sex life more fulfilling.

And if you want to use safe toys for your safe sex, then check our premium collection of sex toys, which guarantees your comfort and health, and of course, that satisfying finish.

Special Thanks:

Da Hee Han - Writer - EMPR

Zawn Villines - Writer - Medical News Today

Want more sexiness in your scene? Then you might want to learn more about Outercourse, Deepthroating, and Sex Positions During Pregnancy.

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