Every person’s sexual preferences and partners are different, but one thing is universal: your sex life should be as safe as possible. Here are a few tips to make your sex life not just safer, but more enjoyable as well.
Focus on Consent
Consent is one of the most important parts of a sexual encounter. Everyone involved should be there by choice; sexual consent not only means everyone should be willing to be there, but enthusiastic to be there as well. Each person also needs to be of sound mind when they give consent, so nobody should be intoxicated, under the influence, or otherwise too incoherent to give or deny permission for anything. The consent applies to you and any partner you ever have, and being forced or coerced to join a sexual encounter through threats, guilt, fear or manipulation does not count as consent. Remember: no means no, and everyone involved has a right to revoke their consent and leave the situation whenever they want.
Think About Birth Control
If you don’t want to get pregnant right now, you might want to consider some form of birth control. There are countless options available — hormonal birth control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), shots and implants, condoms, spermicidal lubricants, and cervical caps are all examples of birth control with moderate-to-high rates of success for most people. If you aren’t sure what kind of birth control is right for you, speak with your gynecologist and start making a plan.
Emphasize Good Hygiene
The body parts involved in sex are often sensitive to bacteria, debris, and foreign materials. Make sure you and your partner(s) are clean when engaging in sex, and be sure that objects or appendages that penetrate anyone’s body are also clean and covered with a condom or glove when possible. Sex toys should be washed after every use, and it’s a good idea to use the bathroom after sex to help flush foreign bacteria out of the urethra (which can prevent urinary tract infections). Before you ever have sex with a new partner, you and your partner need to verify that nobody has any contagious illnesses at the nearest free women’s clinic Cicero, IL.
Practice Communicating
Any time you have sex, communication is key. You should feel comfortable enough to tell your partner(s) what you like and dislike; don’t be afraid to speak up if you enjoy something, want to reposition or if something hurts. Likewise, you should encourage all your partners to communicate with you in the same way. Setting boundaries is an important way to maintain consent, and sharing details about what you want can make any sexual encounter more fun and pleasurable.
No matter what your sex life or preferences are, you have a right to respect and safety during any sexual encounters. If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe with someone and need help, remember that help is available: you can talk to your doctor, a trusted friend or family member, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline.