The Importance of Safe Sex

A lot of people think that safe sex means using a condom during the sexual intercourse, but the truth is that this term is much broader.

When someone mentions safe sex or sex by using protection, the first thing that crosses our minds is sex where we use proper protection in order to avoid getting some sexually transmitted disease such as AIDS, Syphilis, Gonorrhea etc. In most cases this protection is usually mechanical, which means primarily using male or female condom that physically prevents contact between the mucosa and bodily fluids that are secreted during the sexual intercourse and which can ultimately lead to various infections and diseases. However, safe sex can also mean sexual intercourse that we don’t to result in unwanted pregnancy. On the other hand, the protection that we use in this case does not always protect us from sexually transmitted diseases. There are of course methods that can protect us from both situations (unwanted pregnancy and STDs) like condoms for example. Coituis interruptus (pull out method) is a method where the man pulls out the penis from the vagina right before he reaches orgasm and this method is of course not effective against sexually transmitted diseases.

One of the most dangerous STD today is HIV, the main cause of AIDS. If we want to protect ourselves from this incurable virus we should always use condom during the sexual intercourse, especially when it comes to vaginal sex. HIV is “transferred” to the other partner when the mucosa gets in contact with bodily fluids although this is not the only way to get this virus. HIV can also be transmitted via blood contact too, so avoiding rough sex that can lead to small bruises and wounds is always a good idea. The risk of infection is a little bit greater when it comes to anal sex. Anal tissue is very sensitive and it is prone to ruptures and bruises making it much easier for the virus to enter the body. This situation can be avoided by using condoms. People usually use lubricants when they have anal sex so it is important to remember to avoid lubricants based on oil because they can damage the condoms. There are many lubricants based on water that are perfectly safe. STDs can be transmitted by oral sex too, although the risk is lower it is recommended to use a condom when having oral sex too especially with partners that we don’t know that well.

Sex that involves penetration (vaginal or anal) is always risky. That’s why you can choose some safer types of sex where penetration can be avoided. The risk of getting a disease in some types of sex is minimal or even nonexistent. Masturbation, for example, is the safest type of sex at least when we are talking about satisfying ourselves. The risk is still present if we are practicing mutual masturbation. You can also practice phone or cyber sex where the sex is actually virtual and there is no risk of STDs. 

Few Things that Negatively Affect Fertility

Fertility is the natural ability to create children. However not all women have the same fertility level because fertility can be affected by many things. There are few things that have negative impact on this natural ability and some of them can be avoided.

The first thing that affects fertility in a negative way is the process of aging. Aging affects all our organs but the ovaries are one of the first organs that grows old which is a direct cause of reduced fertility in older women and it is often the cause of anomalies of the fetus. Scientists are still trying to determine the direct connection with these anomalies and aging but the probable cause of these irregularities can be probably found in the damaged chromosomes found in the eggs in older women. According to some statistics eight out ten women that are around 25 years old can get pregnant after six months of regular unprotected sexual intercourses. When the woman turns 40 the chances are significantly reduced and the same statistics say that one out of ten women can get pregnant with the same level of intercourses. However, despite this fact, today many young women postpone their pregnancy because of the fast paced lifestyle and the pursuit of career. Many women decide to have their first baby after they step in their 30s. This is the period when the reproductive ability begins to decline. Unlike women, men’s reproductive capacity decline very slowly.

Sometimes the working environment or the place where we live can affect the fertility. Special types of chemicals and fumes can be toxic when it comes to reproduction and they are proven to be responsible for the decline in fertility. They are equally dangerous for both men and women and they can also cause damage to the fetus. That’s why couples who want children should avoid places with high percentage of industrial chemicals and other toxins in the air.

Smokers often read the warning signs on the cigarettes but don’t take them seriously. These warnings are there for a reason. Besides many other dangerous that it brings, smoking can affect the reproduction ability. Women who begin to smoke while they are teenagers have increased chances of getting tubal infertility. Of course, alcohol abuse and drugs can cause even more problems.

Women who practice unprotected sex with multiple partners can get a sexually transmitted disease. The bad thing about these STD is that in many cases they don’t produce visible signs (Chlamydia for example). They can cause different types of damages to the fallopian tube which can lead to infertility. Even if the STD is noticed on time, the woman can still experience some of its unwanted effects. That’s why having protected sex and sex with partners that you know well is always a good idea.

Finally, stress can cause a lot of problems with our health and It can also affect the fertility in women. Stress can lead to depression which ultimately leads to irregular periods and improper ovulation.