Microbicide & Safe Sex (1)

In this first decade of the 21st century the various risks connected with having sex have (alas) increased.
The figures for HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoea are all going up. This is almost entirely because so many people – whether they're heterosexuals or homosexuals or 'bi' – don't practise safe sex.

One way to have safer sex is to only have one partner who has no sexually transmitted infections and no other partners than you.

But, this isn't always the safest kind of safer sex. That's because most people don't know when they have infections. They are very likely to pass them on without knowing it.

Another other reason is that some people aren't as honest as they should be. In fact, about 1 out of 3 people will say they don't have an infection when they know they do, just to have sex. So most of us have to find other ways to practice safer sex.

Another way to practice safer sex is to only have sex play that has no risk — or a lower risk — of passing STDs. This means no vaginal or anal intercourse. Many of us find that great sex is about a lot more than a penis going in a vagina or anus. It is about exploring the many other ways you and your partner can turn each other on. Not only is it a way to discover new sexual pleasures, it's also safer.

Safe Sex:
- Reduces our risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
- Using condoms and/or microbicide makes vaginal or anal intercourse safer sex
Although condoms provide the best form of protection for people who are sexually active, using a microbicide will be much safer than nothing for women for whom condom use is unlikely or impossible.

For some women and men, the contraceptive effect of condoms is a major deterrent to use; developing both contraceptive and non-contraceptive microbicides is important. Providers can counsel patients on the use of microbicides in conjunction with condoms for added protection, and as a "backup" method when condom use cannot or does not occur.

- Using condoms or other barriers makes oral sex safer sex
- Having sex play without intercourse can be even safer sex.
Safer sex can be very pleasurable and exciting

Condoms work by forming a barrier between the penis and anus, vagina, or mouth. The barrier keeps one partner's fluids from getting into or on the other. And condoms reduce the amount of skin-to-skin contact. There are two main kinds of condoms — latex condoms and female condoms.

A good lubricant can go a long way in making sure that safer sex is pleasurable and fun. Lubricant is important in safer sex because it also makes condoms and dams slippery and less likely to break. Lubricants make safer sex feel better by cutting down on the dry kind of friction that a lot of people find irritating.

When buying lube, it's important to find the right kind — one that works for you and for your condom. Never use oil-based lube with a latex or non-latex rubber condom. Use only water or silicone-based lube with latex and non-latex rubber condoms. Read the package insert if you have any questions about what you can use.


What are the risks of unsafe sex?
- unwanted pregnancy.
- venereal diseases (such as gonorrhoea and, much less commonly, syphilis).
- other sexually transmitted infections (such as herpes, pubic lice, and viral warts and especially the 21st century‘s major risk – chlamydia).
- HIV – the virus that can cause AIDS.
- cancer of the cervix.
- female infertility – due to pelvic infection caused by sex with an infected man.