Men's Health Garage

1) Why Safer Sex?
2) Protection
3) Testing
4) Lower Risk Sexual Activities
5) Moderate Risk Sexual Activities
6) High Risk Sexual Activities
7) What If?

1) Why Safer Sex?
Sometimes when people say "safer sex” to guys, they may as well say "boring sex.” But, here's something to think about: each year millions of people get infected with HIV, herpes, gonorrhea, genital warts and chlamydia. These infections can make it so that you can't have kids, ever. They can lead to death. Some are just a nuisance and can be painful. You can get any of these from sex – vaginal, oral and anal sex. The scariest part is that some of these STDs have few or no symptoms, so you can just keep passing them on to partners without even knowing it, and partners can pass them to you as well!

Obviously, the more people either one of you have had sex with, the greater the chance of getting these diseases. That's why they say when you have sex with someone, you're also having sex with everyone they've ever been with.

Also, each year thousands of people get pregnant without wanting to, and if you're not practicing safer sex, you could too. If you're not ready to be a Dad, too bad. You may not have much of a choice. Once a woman is pregnant, the choice is hers.
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2) Protection
The only foolproof way to be sure you're not going to get these diseases or not get your partner pregnant is to not have sex. But if you and your partner choose to have sex, you really need to use a rubber. Make sure you've always got one on you. You don't want to have to run to the store when things are getting hot and heavy – it tends to kill the moment! Talk about using one, even though that may not be easy. Guys say that girls think we are only after one thing if we bring a condom: sex. And if we don't carry a condom, that we don't care about others. The real story is: you are after one thing – being SAFE, so bring them with you. How to bring up using condoms with your partner.

It's not a bad idea to talk to your partner if you feel you can before having sex. It's not easy discussing other people's histories, but it will give you an idea of what the odds are of you picking up an STD from your partner.
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3) Testing
Above all, take all the precautions you can until you're absolutely 100% sure that you are both just having sex with each other. Even then, it's still a good idea to get an STD test. Some STDs take months to show up, and some never show symptoms at all.
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4) Lower Risk Sexual Activities
Here's a list of sexual activities you can do that are lower risk:

Dry kissing
Masturbation with a partner with no open skin or sores
Oral sex with a condom
Touching
Fantasy
Massage

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5) Moderate Risk Sexual Activities
These have moderate risk:

Wet or French kissing
Oral sex on a man without a condom
Masturbation with a partner on open or broken skin
Oral sex on a woman without a dental dam

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6) High Risk Sexual Activities
And the actions most likely to pass infections from one sexual partner to another are

Sex if you've taken drugs or are drunk
Vaginal intercourse without a condom
Anal intercourse without a condom
Sharing needles for the injection of drugs or other purposes

couple getting naked Another thing is if you notice any sores or discharge from our around your partner's genitals, it may be a good time to suggest a movie because it's not a good time for sex! Talk with your partner about getting tested. Offer to go with her and tested as well. Don't have sex again until you know you're both safe and sound.

By the way, sometimes if you take a leak after sex, it can reduce the chance of STDs. For guys, it's sort of like flushing out your radiator.
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7) What If?
Finally, what if you notice any unusual symptoms on you? Get it checked out. Click here to find out how you might know if you have an STD. If by chance you do end up with an STD, definitely get it treated right away. Some you can get rid of, and others they can help you with the symptoms. And let your partner or partners know right away. Also, some of these infections don't have symptoms, so it's good to get tested at least once a year. If you have many partners and are having risky sex, you should get checked more often.
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	safer sex 1) Why Safer Sex? 2) Protection 3) Testing 4) Lower Risk Sexual Activities 5) Moderate Risk Sexual Activities 6) High Risk Sexual Activities 7) What If? 1) Why Safer Sex? Sometimes when people say "safer sex” to guys, they may as well say "boring sex.” But, here's something to think about: each year millions of people get infected with HIV, herpes, gonorrhea, genital warts and chlamydia. These infections can make it so that you can't have kids, ever. They can lead to death. Some are just a nuisance and can be painful. You can get any of these from sex – vaginal, oral and anal sex. The scariest part is that some of these STDs have few or no symptoms, so you can just keep passing them on to partners without even knowing it, and partners can pass them to you as well! Obviously, the more people either one of you have had sex with, the greater the chance of getting these diseases. That's why they say when you have sex with someone, you're also having sex with everyone they've ever been with. Also, each year thousands of people get pregnant without wanting to, and if you're not practicing safer sex, you could too. If you're not ready to be a Dad, too bad. You may not have much of a choice. Once a woman is pregnant, the choice is hers. Return to Top 2) Protection The only foolproof way to be sure you're not going to get these diseases or not get your partner pregnant is to not have sex. But if you and your partner choose to have sex, you really need to use a rubber. Make sure you've always got one on you. You don't want to have to run to the store when things are getting hot and heavy – it tends to kill the moment! Talk about using one, even though that may not be easy. Guys say that girls think we are only after one thing if we bring a condom: sex. And if we don't carry a condom, that we don't care about others. The real story is: you are after one thing – being SAFE, so bring them with you. How to bring up using condoms with your partner. It's not a bad idea to talk to your partner if you feel you can before having sex. It's not easy discussing other people's histories, but it will give you an idea of what the odds are of you picking up an STD from your partner. Return to Top 3) Testing Above all, take all the precautions you can until you're absolutely 100% sure that you are both just having sex with each other. Even then, it's still a good idea to get an STD test. Some STDs take months to show up, and some never show symptoms at all. Return to Top 4) Lower Risk Sexual Activities Here's a list of sexual activities you can do that are lower risk: Dry kissing Masturbation with a partner with no open skin or sores Oral sex with a condom Touching Fantasy Massage Return to Top 5) Moderate Risk Sexual Activities These have moderate risk: Wet or French kissing Oral sex on a man without a condom Masturbation with a partner on open or broken skin Oral sex on a woman without a dental dam Return to Top 6) High Risk Sexual Activities And the actions most likely to pass infections from one sexual partner to another are Sex if you've taken drugs or are drunk Vaginal intercourse without a condom Anal intercourse without a condom Sharing needles for the injection of drugs or other purposes Another thing is if you notice any sores or discharge from our around your partner's genitals, it may be a good time to suggest a movie because it's not a good time for sex! Talk with your partner about getting tested. Offer to go with her and tested as well. Don't have sex again until you know you're both safe and sound. By the way, sometimes if you take a leak after sex, it can reduce the chance of STDs. For guys, it's sort of like flushing out your radiator. Return to Top 7) What If? Finally, what if you notice any unusual symptoms on you? Get it checked out. Click here to find out how you might know if you have an STD. If by chance you do end up with an STD, definitely get it treated right away. Some you can get rid of, and others they can help you with the symptoms. And let your partner or partners know right away. Also, some of these infections don't have symptoms, so it's good to get tested at least once a year. If you have many partners and are having risky sex, you should get checked more often. Return to Top Listen to main navigation.Listen to sub navigation.Listen to Page Content again.
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