Ultimate Guide to Safe Sex Practices Everybody Should Follow

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs or STIs) spread through bodily fluids and skin-to-skin contact. Instead of calling practices to reduce the risk of contracting STDs “safe sex,” a better name is “safer sex” because sexual intercourse is never completely risk-free.

Some of the most popular methods for safe sex include:

• Using latex condoms during oral or penetrative sex
• Using a female condom
• Applying spermicide to the vagina
• Having sex sober
• Checking the body for sores, rashes, and blisters
• Regularly testing for STDs at clinics like Rapid STD Testing

You may wonder which safe sex practices are right for you and your partner. Depending on how you like to have sex, it may be practical to use some or all of the above methods to protect yourself from infections. The information below will discuss your options and explain why safer sex and regular STD testing are vital to your health.

Practicing Safer Sex

The only way to practice 100% safe sex and eliminate the risk of STIs, unplanned pregnancies, and sex-related injuries is not to have intercourse at all. However, you can still enjoy some sexual practices like:

• Sharing sexual fantasies in person or over the phone
• Rubbing your penis or vagina against your partner while clothed (sometimes called “dry humping”)
• Using sanitized sex toys with your partner

Oral Sex

Oral sex is the act of using your mouth on your partner’s penis, anus, or vagina. Oral sex alone will not cause an unplanned pregnancy, but STIs are still a risk. Common oral sex-related STIs include herpes, HIV, chlamydia, and syphilis.

You can use a barrier technique to prevent direct contact with the skin if you engage in oral sex with your partner. In a pinch, plastic wrap from a local grocery store can be better than no barrier. However, use this method cautiously because plastic wrap can tear easily, exposing you to genital skin and fluids.

Using a barrier like a dental dam is generally a safer option. These products are durable and come in different flavors, such as cherry or vanilla. 

Use conventional condoms when engaging in mouth-to-penis oral sex.

Vaginal Sex

The human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital warts spread through vaginal fluids. Using male condoms or internal condoms (fitted inside the vagina) can reduce your risk of infections.

If you or your partner is allergic to latex, try polyurethane condoms covered with water or oil-based lubricant.

Are you someone who can become pregnant from sex? If so, you may choose to use non-hormonal birth control, like spermicide, or hormonal birth control, like “the pill,” IUDs, “the shot,” spermicide, etc. These solutions may prevent an unplanned pregnancy but will not reduce your risk of contracting an STD.

Ask your healthcare provider if these safe sex practices are right for you.

Anal Sex

When having anal sex, always use a condom to prevent the spread of HIV, herpes, and gonorrhea. The anus cannot naturally create lubricant, so use a generous amount on your penis, fingers, or sex toys before engaging in anal sex. This method prevents injuries like anal fissures or friction burns that cause pain during and after sex. 

Protecting Yourself From STDs

You may wonder, “Why is safe sex important if neither my partner nor I have STDs?” Safe sex practices promote your health and encourage vigilance during shared intimacy. 

Despite feeling confident that you are STD-free, you can still get STDs if your partner does not regularly test for them or engages in intercourse with another person outside your knowledge. A rapid STD test from Rapid STD Testing can help you determine if you have an infection. Still, it’s best to abstain from sex until you are sure. 

According to the CDC, gonorrhea and HPV infections are rising in the United States, likely due to increased sexual activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gonorrhea can cause severe itching and burning of the skin. Moreover, research shows that HPV can cause cervical cancer, contributing to over 4,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. 

Without protection, you could contract these diseases and others from just one night of intercourse. Some other common sex-without-protection side effects include:

• Surprise pregnancy
• Genital warts around the anus, vagina, or penis
• Warts on your mouth or in your throat
• Bright red rashes on the skin
• Dark patches or blisters on the skin
• Vaginal or penis discharge
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Pain during urination

STIs often cause emotional distress, such as embarrassment, anxiety, or depression. Safe sex practices can help you prevent these problems. Here are a few ways you can reduce the risk of contracting an infection:

• Use condoms, dental dams, and other barriers during sex
• Reduce your number of sexual partners to avoid getting an STD from a one-night stand
• Agree to be mutually monogamous with your partner
• Commit to same-day STD testing at a Rapid STD Testing clinic if you suspect something is wrong

Safer Sex During STD Treatment

If you already have an STD, you can still have safe sex with your partner—within limitations. First, it’s important to receive a diagnosis from your physician and follow their medical advice. Depending on your infection, they may discourage sexual intercourse for several days or weeks until antibiotics or antiviral prescriptions reduce your risk of transmission.

Some STDs are curable, such as:

• Chlamydia
• Syphilis
• Gonorrhea
• Trichomoniasis

With the proper medication, you may be able to return to a normal sex life after just a few weeks. Other infections, such as hepatitis, HSV-2, and HIV, have no cure and require extra care to manage. 

You should inform anyone you have had sex with in the past few months about your diagnosis. This step can be intimidating, but letting others know can prevent unnecessary transmissions in your community.

If you have chlamydia, HIV, or syphilis, you may be able to use barrier protection, like a condom, during sex. This method helps to prevent fluid transmission. However, barriers are only practical if you don’t have any open lesions on the skin.

The same solution applies if you have herpes. However, you should abstain from sex if you are experiencing a blister or rash flare-up. This virus can spread through skin-to-skin contact, and a condom around the shaft of the penis may not be enough to protect you from exposure.

Never pressure your partner to have sex with you if you have a sexually transmitted disease. Never remove your protection during sex, especially without your partner’s knowledge.

Discussing Safer Sex

Discussing sexual boundaries and expectations with your partner is fundamental to a healthy sex life. Sex in movies, pornography, and literature rarely depict this responsibility, inadvertently influencing the public to ignore some essential safe sex practices.

Sit down with your partner in a safe environment and have an honest conversation about protection, the types of sexual intercourse you are willing to try, and ways you can monitor your sexual health. These discussions may seem uncomfortable initially, but strong communication can strengthen your relationship and sexual satisfaction.

Respect your sexual partner as an equal and be receptive to their concerns. Explain that you value their input and honesty.

These conversations don’t have to be a mood-killer. You can explain your concerns in a light-hearted and playful way. You could even purchase colorful sex toys, protective barriers, and gloves and incorporate them into your foreplay.

If your partner responds negatively to your concerns or feedback, it may be best to abstain from sex before you can reach mutual terms. Some people experience negative emotions discussing sex due to past trauma, anxiety, or self-esteem issues. 

Questions to Ask Your Partner

Here are a few questions you can ask your partner during conversations about safe sex practices:

• Are you comfortable right now?
• Have you tested for HIV recently? When was your last test?
• Are you seeing anyone else right now?
• Have you used protection before?
• Are you comfortable with using this type of protection?
• Would you like to have a safe word during sex?
• Are you using birth control?
• What do you think about using condoms?
• What do you think about using dental dams?
• Are you allergic to latex?
• Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?
• Do you mind if we wait until we test?

Asking questions in a friendly or romantic tone is a non-confrontational way to navigate the conversation. However, avoid making jokes or teasing your partner to avoid confusion and miscommunication.

Remember: Safe sex practices rely on all parties’ affirmative, ongoing, and enthusiastic consent.

Consult with Your Doctor

You don’t need to be an expert in safe sex to make informed decisions in the bedroom. Consult with your doctor or a clinician at Rapid STD Testing to learn tips and tricks that may help you reduce the risk of infection. They will provide helpful feedback and answer common questions like:

• Can you get an STD from protected intercourse?
• Can you get an STD from touching a used condom?
• Does showering after sex prevent STDs?
• How long do STD symptoms last?
• How do you use XYZ sexual protection correctly?

Your doctor can also recommend preventive care, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis medication, if you are at risk of contracting HIV. 

A physician can prescribe treatments if you contract an STD or experience long-term complications from an infection, like infertility, pain during sex, or lowered immune responsiveness. They will discuss your options and provide a clear recovery plan so you can restore your sexual health.

STD Testing: A Crucial Tool to Practice Safer Sex and Protect Your Sexual Health

Making informed decisions about your sexual health is important. At Rapid STD Testing, we provide private, non-invasive STD testing in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia. Use our find a lab tool to find a clinic near you.

Explore how our comprehensive 10-panel STD test can help you identify various infections when you call. We will answer any questions you have about your test results and what to do next.

Contact Rapid STD Testing today to order a test or to learn more about safe sex practices.