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How often have we found ourselves curious about all the hush about the chapter of Reproduction in grade 8 of our Science textbook? The curiosity that takes place becomes a never-ending mouse chase from constantly shuffling ourselves between our parents who dodge our questions, or the channels that almost answer our curiosity but are flipped instantly by our beloved parents. We all carry a lot of WHYs with us. Be it finding a packet of condoms randomly hidden in purses or having to learn about AIDS without actually understanding the cause of concern or transmission of the same. We have been through it all.
While sex isn't a topic we usually find people talking about, the visuals of the act-in porn or the publications of magazines become our source of seeking information. Unfortunately, a lot of the information we receive through these mediums do not qualify to be correct or provide us with medical or educational knowledge for the same.
From being too anxious about our ' first time', to scrolling through online sites for information, we have all evolved in these aspects with experience. The question here lies that did we learn about the necessity of indulging in safe consensual sex?
I guess for most of us, we may ace the theoretical notion, but practically we find ourselves lost in a fog of uncertainty. Let's explore the domains with hints of practical knowledge.
The term ‘Safe Sex’ is based on the concept of adapting to certain precautions and following certain measures while engaging in consensual sexual intercourse with your partner. Indulging in safe sex practices prevents us from transmitting or getting infected from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like herpes, genital warts etc, (STDs); along with the prevention of an unwanted pregnancy.
Safe sex encourages protected sexual intercourse during any sexual interactions
What are STIs and UTIs and how do they occur?
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) usually occur when you get in sexual contact with a sexually infected person. It spreads through bodily fluids like semen, vaginal fluids, blood etc. They can also spread through skin to skin contact. When you indulge in sexual contact without taking precautions like wearing a condom, using a dental dam etc, you are at a high risk to get infected with infections like herpes, AIDS, etc. The severity of the illness may vary.
Urinary Tract Infections mostly occur in women. One of the major causes of which is unprotected sexual intercourse. Trust me, the mere thought or memory of the pain and discomfort that these infections cause is enough to make us shudder. UTIs are mostly caused due to bacteria. Usually, sometimes we happen to come across situations where partners refuse to wear a condom during penetrative sex because according to their perspective, wearing a condom during sex reduces the pleasure and is not required if the partner is on birth control. To navigate such situations, knowledge of safe sex is quite essential along with effective communication and boundaries before indulging in sexual activity. Urinating shortly after sex, only indulging in sexual intercourse with the use of a condom, etc are a few measures that can be taken to prevent the occurrence of a painful UTI.
What is STD? How is it different from an STI?
STD is an abbreviation for the term Sexually Transmitted Disease while STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Usually, STIs are a common occurrence, which if neglected or remain undiagnosed might pave way for the person to develop an STD. There are exceptions where people engage in unprotected sexual intercourse with partner/s who have an STI or are infected with a virus and get infected easily.
HIV is easily transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse and maybe a cause for the infected person to develop the STD of AIDS.
While we do have medical attention provided to people who are suffering from AIDS, or those who are HIV positive. The stigma around the disease and the people infected by the virus remains.
Here is a checklist or guide of measures you can follow before you proceed with your choice of sexual activities:
Indulging in oral sex while wearing a dental dam, a vaginal condom or a makeshift dental dam made from a regular condom
Having vaginal intercourse with a male or a female condom
Use of a condom during anal intercourse
Use of condoms on dildos or other sex toys that are handled with bare hands during sexual intercourse.
A healthy and open communication regarding the same with your partner before indulging in any sexual activity
Using a new condom before going for another round
Washing hands thoroughly
Keeping fingernails trimmed
If you are currently sexually active or planning to get sexually active, it is always a great measure to get medically tested for any STDs and STIs like gonorrhoea, bacterial vaginosis before you indulge in a sexual relationship with a new partner or any person in general. Someone who tests HIV positive has to deal with the condition throughout their life and their partners have a right to be informed about the same.
The initial navigation of this topic might be slightly awkward to begin with, especially if you wish to communicate your needs to a partner but your ability to apply the knowledge you possess might be one of the best decisions you would ever come across.
It's high time we start normalizing talking about sex, more importantly, the do's and dont's so that there is a higher amount of awareness. It would help enlighten the youth with genuine knowledge rather than them having to surf through various porn websites or receive absurd advice from the older people with phrases like, "Once you get married, you will learn all these things", "Its dirty, you are not supposed to talk about it", "In our generation we did not use all of this. You donot have to use them as well", or "Its natural, it happens."
Let's put an end to the stigma and be a part of the woke and informed population who help others discover the domain of sex and the need to know more about it on their terms. No longer should people have to get into relationships to receive awareness about it.
To summarize, we all are aware that sex is one of our basic needs and is indeed a very pleasurable act. When indulged in with necessary precautions, it makes it a lot easier for partners to enjoy the act rather than worrying about the unwanted repercussions that may occur due to carelessness of the same.
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