Safe sex (also called safer sex or protected sex) is the practice of sexual activity in a manner that reduces the risk of infection with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Human sexual behavior or different human sexual practices encompass a wide range of activities such as strategies to find or attract partners ( Mating and display An infection is the detrimental Colonization of a host Organism by a foreign Species. A sexually transmitted disease ( STD) or venereal disease ( VD) is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between Humans Conversely, unsafe sex is the practice of sexual intercourse without regard for prevention of STDs.

Safe sex practices became prominent in the late 1980s as a result of the AIDS epidemic. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Promoting safe sex is now a principal aim of sex education. Sex education is a broad term used to describe Education about human sexual anatomy, Sexual reproduction, Sexual intercourse, Reproductive From the viewpoint of society, safe sex can be regarded as a harm reduction strategy. Harm reduction is a Philosophy of Public health, intended to be a progressive alternative to the prohibition of certain potentially dangerous The goal of safer sex is education and risk reduction.

In contrast to protected sex is unprotected sex, which can refer to:

• The practice of sex without protection from pregnancy
• The practice of sex without protection from STDs

Although safe sex practices can be used as a form of family planning, the term refers to efforts made to prevent infection as well as conception. Family planning is frequently used to mean that people plan when to have children using Birth control, preconceptional counseling. Controversy over the beginning of pregnancy usually occurs in the context of the Abortion debate Many effective forms of contraception do not offer protection against STDs. Birth control, sometimes synonymous with contraception, is a regimen of one or more actions devices or Medications followed in order to deliberately prevent

Contents 1 Terminology 2 Focus on HIV/AIDS 3 Safe sex precautions 3.1 Sex by yourself 3.2 Non-penetrative sex 3.3 Limiting fluid exchange 3.4 Other Precautions 4 Ineffective methods 5 Dangers of anal sex 6 Abstinence as an alternative to safe sex 7 References 8 See also 9 External links

Terminology

Recently, and mostly within Canada and the United States, the use of the term safer sex rather than safe sex has gained greater use by health workers, with the realization the grounds that risk of transmission of sexually transmitted infections in various sexual activities is a continuum rather than a simple dichotomy between risky and safe. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Human sexual behavior or different human sexual practices encompass a wide range of activities such as strategies to find or attract partners ( Mating and display However, in most other countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, the term safe sex is still mainly used by sex educators. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics.

Focus on HIV/AIDS

Much attention has focused on controlling HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, through the use of condoms. Human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) is a Lentivirus (a member of the Retrovirus family that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome A virus (from the Latin virus meaning Toxin or Poison) is a sub-microscopic infectious agent that is unable A condom is a device most commonly used during Sexual intercourse. However, as many STDs can be transmitted through other activities, some sex educators recommend that barrier protection be used for all sexual activities which have the potential for disease transmission, such as manual penetration of the anal or vaginal cavities, or oral stimulation of the genitals. Sex education is a broad term used to describe Education about human sexual anatomy, Sexual reproduction, Sexual intercourse, Reproductive

Safe sex precautions

Sex by yourself

Known as autoeroticism, solitary sexual activity is relatively safe. is a Japanese term for Erotic Pictures Most shunga are a type of Ukiyo-e, usually executed in woodblock print format Utagawa Kunisada (1786 - 1865 (Japanese 歌川国貞 also known as Utagawa Toyokuni III 三代歌川豊国) was the most popular prolific and financially successful designer Autoeroticism is the practice of stimulating oneself sexually Masturbation, the simple act of stimulating one's own genitalia, is safe so long as contact is not made with other people's discharged bodily fluids. Masturbation refers to Sexual stimulation especially of one's own genitals ( self masturbation) and often to the point of Orgasm, which However, some practices, such as self-bondage and autoerotic asphyxia, are made considerably more dangerous by the absence of people who can intervene if something goes wrong. Self-bondage is the practice of sexual bondage on oneself or the application of restraints to oneself for the purpose of sexual Pleasure. Erotic asphyxiation refers to intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal

Modern technology does permit some activities, such as "phone sex" and "cybersex", that allow for partners to engage in sexual activity without being in the same room, eliminating the risks involved with exchanging bodily fluids. Phone sex is a type of Virtual sex that refers to sexually explicit conversation between two or more persons via telephone especially when at least one of the participants Cybersex, computer sex, internet sex or net sex is a Virtual sex encounter in which two or more persons connected remotely via a Computer

Non-penetrative sex

Main article: Non-penetrative sex

A range of sex acts, sometimes called "outercourse", can be enjoyed by lovers with significantly reduced risks of infection and pregnancy. Non-penetrative sex (also known as outercourse and dry sex) is Sexual activity without Vaginal Anal, and Oral penetration U. S. President Bill Clinton's surgeon general, Dr. William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III, August 19 1946 served as the forty-second President of the United States Joycelyn Elders, tried to encourage the use of these practices among young people, but her position encountered opposition from a number of outlets, including the White House itself, and resulted in her being fired by President Clinton in December of 1994. Minnie Joycelyn Elders (born August 13, 1933) was the 15th Surgeon General of the United States and a former vice admiral in ^[1][2][3]

Limiting fluid exchange

Various devices are used to avoid contact with blood, vaginal fluid, and semen during sexual activity:

• Condoms cover the penis during sexual activity. A condom machine is a Vending machine for the sale of Condoms Condom machines are often placed in public toilets subway stations and airports as an effort of health Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells ��such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products Vaginal lubrication is the naturally produced lubricating fluid that reduces friction during Sexual intercourse. Physiological aspects Internal and external fertilization Depending on the Species, spermatozoa can fertilize A condom is a device most commonly used during Sexual intercourse. They are most frequently made of latex, but can also be made out of polyurethane. LaTeX (ˈleɪtɛ A polyurethane, commonly abbreviated PU, is any Polymer consisting of a chain of organic units joined by urethane links Polyurethane is thought to be a safe material for use in condoms, since it is nonporous and viruses cannot pass through it. However, there is less research on its effectiveness than there is on latex.
• Female condoms are inserted into the vagina prior to intercourse. A female condom is a device that is used during Sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy and transmission of Sexually transmitted infections (STIs—such as The vagina (from Latin, literally " Sheath " or " Scabbard " is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the Uterus They may also be used for anal sex, although they are less effective. Anal sex most often refers to the sex act involving insertion of the Penis into the Rectum.
• A dental dam (originally used in dentistry) is a sheet of latex used for protection when engaging in oral sex. Dental dams or rubber dams are rectangular sheets of Latex used in Dentistry, specifically Endodontic therapy. Oral sex refers to sexual activities involving the use of the Mouth, and may include use of the Tongue, Teeth, and Throat, in order It is typically used as a barrier between the mouth and the vulva during cunnilingus or between the mouth and the anus during anilingus. The vulva (from Latin, vulva, plural vulvae or vulvas; see etymology) is the region of the external genital organs Cunnilingus is the act of using the Mouth, Lips and Tongue to stimulate the female Genitals. Anal–oral sex, also referred to or described as anal–oral contact or anilingus (from anus + lingus (Latin Lingere:to lick also
• Medical gloves made out of latex, vinyl, nitrile, or polyurethane may be used as an ersatz (inferior) dental dam during oral sex, or to protect the hands during mutual masturbation. Nitrile rubber or Buna-N, is a Synthetic rubber Copolymer of Acrylonitrile (ACN and Butadiene. Non-penetrative sex (also known as outercourse and dry sex) is Sexual activity without Vaginal Anal, and Oral penetration Hands may have invisible cuts on them that may admit pathogens that are found in the semen or the vaginal fluids of STD infectees. Vaginal lubrication is the naturally produced lubricating fluid that reduces friction during Sexual intercourse. Although the risk of infection in this manner is thought to be low, gloves can be used as an extra precaution.
• Another way to avoid contact with blood and semen is penetration, but not by the penis, such as using (properly cleaned) dildos or other sex toys. The penis (plural penises, penes A dildo is a Sex toy, often explicitly Phallic in appearance intended for bodily penetration during self-administered Masturbation A sex toy is an object or device that is primarily used in facilitating human sexual pleasure. If a sex toy is to be used in more than one orifice, a condom can be used over it and changed when the toy is moved. Fisting (penetration by the hand), has its own risks, but the risk of HIV transfer can be reduced by latex gloves or a condom. Fisting is a Sexual activity that involves inserting a hand into the Vagina or Anus. Pegging, female-to-male anal sex with a strap-on dildo, as promoted by sex educator Carol Queen does not involve fluid transfer. Pegging describes a sexual practice in which a woman penetrates a man's anus with a Strap-on dildo. A strap-on dildo (also strap-on, dildo harness) is a Dildo designed to be worn (usually in a Harness) by one partner and used to penetrate Carol Queen is an American author editor sociologist and Sexologist active in the Sex-positive feminist movement

If a latex barrier is being used, any lubrication must not be oil based, as this can break down the structure of the latex and undo the protection it gives. Personal lubricants are specialized Lubricants which serve during sexual intercourse to reduce Friction with the Vagina, the Anus, or other

Other Precautions

Acknowledging that it is usually impossible to have entirely risk-free sex with another person, proponents of safe sex recommend that some of the following methods be used to minimize the risks of STD transmission and unwanted pregnancy.

• Monogamy or polyfidelity, practiced faithfully, is very safe (as far as STDs are concerned) when all partners are non-infected. Monogamy is the custom or condition of having only one mate in a Relationship, thus forming a Couple. Polyfidelity is a form of polyamorous Group marriage wherein all members consider each other to be primary partners and agree to be sexual only with other members However, many monogamous people have been infected with sexually transmitted diseases by partners who are sexually unfaithful, have used injection drugs, or were infected by previous sexual partners; the same risks apply to polyfidelitous people, who face slightly higher risks depending on how many people are in the polyfidelitous group. Adultery is the voluntary Sexual intercourse between a married person and another person who is not his or her Spouse, though in many places it is
• For those who are not monogamous, reducing the number of one's sexual partners, particularly anonymous sexual partners, may also reduce one's potential exposure to STDs. Similarly, one may restrict one's sexual contact to a community of trusted individuals - this is the approach taken by some pornographic actors and other non-monogamous people. A pornographic actor/actress or a porn star is somebody who appears in Pornographic films or Photographs, live Sex shows or Nonmonogamy is a Blanket term covering several different types of Interpersonal relationship in which some or all participants have multiple marital,
• Communication with one's sexual partner(s) makes for greater safety. Communication is the process of conveying information from a sender to a receiver with the use of a medium in which the communicated information is understood the same way Before initiating sexual activities, partners may discuss what activities they will and will not engage in, and what precautions they will take. This can reduce the chance of risky decisions being made "in the heat of passion".
• Refraining from the use of recreational drugs, including alcohol, before and during sexual activity can protect against associated risks such as lowered inhibitions, decreased immune response, impaired judgment, and loss of consciousness. Recreational drug use is the use of Psychoactive drugs for Recreational purposes rather than for work, medical or spiritual purposes
• If a person is sexually active with a number of partners, it is important that they get regular check-ups from a doctor. Sexual health clinics specialize in the prevention and treatment of Sexually transmitted infections. Anyone noticing unusual symptoms should get medical advice quickly. Unfortunately HIV is almost symptom free until AIDS develops.

Ineffective methods

Note that most methods of contraception other than the barrier methods mentioned above are not effective at preventing the spread of STDs. This includes the "rhythm method", which is also commonly known as Natural Family Planning.

The spermicide Nonoxynol-9 has been claimed to reduce the likelihood of STD transmission. Spermicide is a substance that kills sperm, inserted vaginally prior to intercourse to prevent pregnancy Nonoxynol-9, sometimes abbreviated as N-9, is a non-ionic Nonoxynol Surfactant that is used as an ingredient in various cleaning and cosmetic products However a recent study by the World Health Organization [1] has shown that Nonoxynol-9 is an irritant and can produce tiny tears in mucous membranes, which may increase the risk of transmission by offering pathogens more easy points of entry into the system. A pathogen (from Greek πάθος pathos "suffering passion" and γἰγνομαι (γεν- gignomai (gen- "I give birth to" infectious As a result condoms with a Nonoxynol-9 lubricant are not to be promoted.

Coitus interruptus (or "pulling out"), in which the penis is removed from the vagina, anus, or mouth before ejaculation, is not safe sex and can result in STD transmission. Coitus interruptus, also known as withdrawal or the pull-out method, is a method of Contraception in which a couple has Sexual intercourse The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an Animal 's Digestive tract from the Mouth. The mouth, buccal cavity, or oral cavity is the first portion of the Alimentary canal that receives food and begins digestion by mechanically breaking up Ejaculation is the ejecting of Semen from the Penis, and is usually accompanied by Orgasm. This is because of the formation of pre-ejaculate, a fluid that oozes from the urethra before actual ejaculation. Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid or Cowper's fluid, and colloquially as pre-cum) is the clear colorless viscous fluid that In Anatomy, the urethra (from Greek ουρήθρα - ourethra) is a tube which connects the Urinary bladder to the outside of In opposition to conventional wisdom, some recent studies awaiting confirmation suggest that pre-ejaculate may not contain sperm; it can, however, contain pathogens such as HIV. ^[4][5] In addition, open sores on either partner can permit transmission, as can microscopic breaks in the skin which arise due to friction, or other irregularities in the skin of either partners genitalia or other body parts.

Dangers of anal sex

Unprotected anal sex is a high risk activity regardless of sexual orientation. Research suggests that although gay men are more likely to engage in anal sex, heterosexual couples are more likely not to use condoms when doing so. ^[6]

Anal sex is more risky than vaginal, since being very thin tissues of anus and rectum can be easily damaged during such sex activities as anal intercourse or use of anal toys. The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals A sex toy is an object or device that is primarily used in facilitating human sexual pleasure. Even slight injuries can become "open gates" for various bacteria and viruses, including HIV. This implies that anal sex does require some certain safety measures. First of all, any partners who practice anal sex should be aware of the necessity of using a condom. The condom must be put on properly, otherwise it does not provide reliable protection. Users should keep in mind that oil-based lubricants damage latex. For this reason water-based lubricants should be used for anal sex. A lubricant (sometimes referred to as a "Lube" is a substance (often a liquid introduced between two moving surfaces to reduce the Friction between them improving Those who have allergy to latex should consider use of non-latex condoms, for instance polyurethane condoms that are compatible with both oil-based and water-based lubricants.

Condoms should also be used with sex toys. Through putting a condom on the sex toy a user provides better hygiene and prevents transmission of infections if the sex toy is shared. Cleaning of anal sex toys is also a very important matter as many anal sex toys are made of porous materials. Pores retain viruses and bacteria. For this reason users should clean anal toys (plugs, anal vibrators) thoroughly, preferably with use of special sex toy cleaners. Glass sex toys are more preferred for sexual uses because of their non-porus nature and ability to be sterilized between uses.

Abstinence as an alternative to safe sex

One way to avoid the risks associated with sexual contact is to abstain from sexual activity entirely, which nearly eliminates the chances of contracting STDs (the only alternative methods of infection being non-sexual as described below). Human sexual behavior or different human sexual practices encompass a wide range of activities such as strategies to find or attract partners ( Mating and display A sexually transmitted disease ( STD) or venereal disease ( VD) is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between Humans

Some groups, notably some American evangelical Christians and the Roman Catholic Church oppose sex outside marriage, and object to safe-sex education programs because they believe that providing such education promotes promiscuity. Evangelicalism is a theological movement tradition and system of beliefs most closely associated with Protestant Christianity, which identifies with the Gospel NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** Promiscuity refers to sexual behavior of a man or woman who casually has sex with many partners Virginity pledges and sexual abstinence education programs are often promoted in lieu of contraceptives and safe-sex education programs. Virginity pledges (or abstinence pledges) are commitments made by Teenagers and young adults to refrain from Sexual intercourse until Sexual abstinence is the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of Sexual activity. This can place some teenagers at higher risk of unintended pregnancy and STDs, because up to 60 percent of teenagers who pledge virginity until marriage do engage in pre-marital sex and are then one-third less likely to use contraceptives than their peers who have received more conventional sex education. Pregnancy ( Latin graviditas) is the carrying of one or more offspring known as a Fetus or Embryo, inside the Uterus of a Female An organism's sex is defined by the gametes it produces males produce male gametes (spermatozoa or Sperm) while females produce female gametes (ova or Egg cells; individual ^[7]

STDs may also be transmitted through non-sexual means. Thus, abstinence from sexual behavior does not guarantee complete protection against STDs. Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging a desire or appetite for certain bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure For example, HIV may be transmitted through contaminated needles used in tattooing, body piercing, or injections. A tattoo is a permanent marking made by inserting ink into the layers of Skin to change the pigment for decorative or other reasons Body piercing is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the Human body, creating an opening in which jewelry may be worn An injection is an infusion method of putting Liquid into the Body, usually with a hollow needle and a Syringe which is pierced through Medical or dental procedures using contaminated instruments can also spread HIV, while some health-care workers have acquired HIV through occupational exposure to accidental injuries with needles. ^[8]

References

See also

• Bareback sex
• Birth control
• Condom fatigue
• HIV and AIDS misconceptions
• Human sexual behavior
• Safe sex makespan
• Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
• Terrence Higgins Trust

External links

• Advise safer sex - 10 articles about condoms. Bareback is a term that originated in Gay slang to describe acts of Unprotected sex, especially Anal sex. Birth control, sometimes synonymous with contraception, is a regimen of one or more actions devices or Medications followed in order to deliberately prevent Condom fatigue is a term used by medical professionals and Safer sex educators to refer to the phenomenon of decreased condom use The spread of HIV and AIDS has affected millions of people worldwide According to the "2006 AIDS Epidemic Update" published by the UNAIDS / World Health Human sexual behavior or different human sexual practices encompass a wide range of activities such as strategies to find or attract partners ( Mating and display The safe sex makespan problem is used in Operations research as an example that the cheapest capital cost often leads to dramatic increase in operational time but that the shortest The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence ( SPI) also called Order of Perpetual Indulgence ( OPI) in Australia and elsewhere are " radical Terrence Higgins Trust is a British charity that campaigns on various issues related to AIDS and
• "Guide to Safer Sex" from the Society for Human Sexuality's sexuality. org site. Very explicit information on making various sexual practices safer:
  • Concise version (20k)
  • Long version (97k)
• Safer-Sex Methods from HIV InSite
• SexInfo's Methods of Contraception For Men and Women - Detailed information on contraception (also includes a step-by-step guide with pictures on how to make a dental dam out of a condom)
• Tiny Nibbles Safer Sex Chart - Presents risk levels of a variety of sexual activities and most major STDs.
• Condoms4Life
• Epigee Women's Health - Comprehensive STD info
• STD Advice
• Safe SEX Guide on Google Groups
• more safe sex info from Google Groups
• (French) Condom use — with many pictures.

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic