Choosing to practice abstinence or make love is a very personal decision. Abstinence can also have a variety of meanings to different people. Some people think of abstinence as doing nothing sexual whatsoever, while for others it means just not having vaginal sex. While abstinence is the only way to 100% prevent pregnancy, there are ways to make love safely. Using birth control, trying new sexual activities, and practicing hygiene can make safe sex fun and stress-free.
1. Try Prescription Birth Control
Birth control is an excellent option for significantly lowering the risk of pregnancy. Many birth controls can now be ordered online. You have a variety of options to consider including the pill, shot, ring, or patch. You just have to figure out what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Ordering birth control is easy. You can connect with a medical professional online and receive your prescription within the comfort of your own home. While starting birth control, it’s important to remember these prescription methods do not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections.
2. Try Non-prescription Birth Control
Condoms, birth control sponges, and spermicides are available without needing to visit a doctor and receive a prescription. These non-prescription birth controls are typically less effective at preventing pregnancy than their prescribed counterparts. While condoms are the most popular form of birth control, Planned Parenthood reports that they are only 79% to 85% effective.
However, condoms are also the only method that protects against STIs. You might not want to solely rely on condoms, but you could add them to another birth control method. For example, you could make love safely by using condoms and the pill. View the maintenance and effectiveness of different birth controls before deciding what is right for you.
3. Give Virtual Sex a Go
Virtual sex isn’t just for those in long-distance relationships. Sexy phone calls or sensual texts are a good way to remind your partner that you can be spontaneous. Try describing what you want to do to them and go from there. It can seem intimidating when it’s new, but you’ll be surprised at how playful you get.
Scandalous photos and videos can also really get the mood going, but make sure you trust who you’re sending them to. Communicate boundaries and ensure there’s consent to receive photos. Sending photos is a natural form of sexual expression, but you should make sure you’re sharing in a secure way. Review any apps you use and turn off any services that save to the cloud. You might also consider cropping your face from any photos to reserve anonymity.
4. Regularly Test For STIs
A safe partner is one who tests for STIs often. Communicate with your partner about any sexual history you have, including the last time you were tested for STIs. Create a relationship where you can talk openly about sexual intimacy. If you feel like you may have symptoms of an STI, you should be comfortable telling your partner. It’s a good idea to get checked for STIs together to hold each other accountable.
If you’re not in a committed relationship, it is best to get tested before every new sexual partner. You should get tested yearly, if you are currently sexually active. If you use any drugs where you could have shared needles, you need to test more frequently. Make sure to visit your doctor for regular check-ups. It’s still important to be tested for STIs even if you don’t think you have one, since many have no symptoms.
5. Practice Hand Hygiene
A common alternative to abstinence is outercourse rather than intercouse. This includes hand and mouth stimulation. However, it’s important to remember hygiene is important when engaging in any sexual relations. You should always thoroughly wash your hands.
Every surface you encounter is covered in bacteria, especially that door handle you just touched. It’s recommended that you scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds to practice safe handwashing. If you don’t, you could cause a UTI or worse by introducing bacteria to your partner’s genitalia. Remember to wash the bacteria off your hands before you get handsy.
6. Practice Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is crucial to safe sex because, just like your hands, your mouth harbors bacteria. Introducing bacteria to your partner’s genitals can cause skin infections, UTIs, or STIs. It is important to brush your teeth and use mouthwash before and after oral sex.
To prevent STIs, be sure to use a dental dam as protection. HPV can be transmitted through oral sex and has been found to cause come cases of mouth and throat cancer. A lack of precautions can have serious repercussions for you and your partner. Remember that hygiene is essential to practicing safe sex.
7. Clean Your Sex Toys
This may seem intuitive, but cleaning any sex toys is a must. Sex toys should be cleaned both before and after use. It’s important to research the proper cleaning method for the toy itself. Make sure to use proper cleaning solutions to avoid deteriorating certain materials. Bacteria and mold can potentially grow on those toys and you don’t want to introduce that to such a sensitive area.
You should use a combination of this advice to make love safely. Remember that you need to protect yourself from both STIs and unplanned pregnancies. Have open communication with your sexual partner, limit the number of partners you have, and regularly test for STIs. Practicing safe sex can make you more confident and comfortable when making love.