Safe Sex

Once again, articles from the ESSENCE Magazine have opened my eyes and I'd like to share the information with you in the hopes that you'll share it and it keeps spreading.



Five Common Condon Errors:

1. Using It Repeatedly: Change them after every sex act. [This was news to me] You can't switch from oral sex to penile-vaginal sex using the same condom as it increases the potential for breakage.

2. Putting It On Late: Pregnancy and disease can occur easily with the amount of semen released during pre-ejaculation.

3. Doubling Up: Common mistake done by many. The belief is that it's extra protection, when in fact the friction between two condoms often leads to rupturing. And this applies not only for two male condoms, but a male and a female or even two females.

4. Missing Headroom: Space must be left at the tip to catch semen.

5. Leaving It On After Sex: Semen is more prone to seeping out of the condom once the penis is soft.



COMMON "SAFE SEX" MISTAKES

Some things people believe are part of a safe sex regime...but aren't.

Oral Sex. It's true you won't get pregnant but you can become infected with HIV and other STIs if you don't use a condom. That's what flavoured condoms were made for if I'm not mistaken.

Withdrawal Method. It is the least effective method of birth control and does not protect against STIs.

Anal Sex. It can be more dangerous than vaginal sex without a condom since abrasions are more common due to no natural lubrication.


To conclude, a few thoughts of my own. Whether you're a man or woman, don't take any chances. Use a condom, be faithful, get tested together (and if you're in relationship, I believe that you get tested together and regularly...once a year, every 6 months, whenever). Take control of your life and your health. Be firm and stick to your principles. Afterall, you only have one life to live.