Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Health and Wellness

5 Steps To Follow For Safe Sex

Because nobody wants to get a STI. EVER.

Aleksandra Oppmann

Aug 07, 2018

Santa Clara University

338

Pexels

Everybody has heard of that scary acronym - STI. For those of you new to sex, or for those of you who need a refresher course, STI stands for sexually transmitted infection, and it IS as scary as it sounds. STIs are a range of infections that can be shared through sex, oral, anal, or vaginal. Safe sex techniques ensure that these types of infections are not passed around.

Additionally, by practicing safe sex, you can decrease your chances of unwanted pregnancy, which is also a plus! In turn, taking precautionary measures allows for you and your partner to enjoy each other's company without worrying about suffering later!

There are a few ways you can practice safe sex, and I'll outline them right here for you.

1. Condoms, Condoms, Condoms

Image result for condoms gif

Rubbers. Love Glove. Contraceptive. Trojans. Sleeves. Whatever nickname you wanna call it, these (relatively cheap) barriers come in all different shapes, sizes, latex/ non-latex, even flavors and THEY ARE YOUR FRIEND. By making sure you and your partner use a condom, you decrease the chance of pregnancy by nearly 98%, and you are able to know that you and your partner are safe from sharing downstairs fluids, which may or may not have STI's. Score!

2. Birth Control

Image result for birth control gif

Another form of contraceptive is birth control, which can be found in many different forms as well. Taking a daily pill, wearing a patch, having a nuvaring, having an IUD, or even an emergency contraceptive like Plan B all help with avoiding unwanted pregnancy, but do not play a role in STI avoidance, so still use a condom!

3. Open Communication

Image result for talk to me gif

This probably is the biggest factor in safe sex: talking. As intimidating as it may be, having an open line of communication with your partner is the greatest way in succeeding with having safe sex, as it allows for a nonjudgmental and understanding discussion platform with someone you want to share your body with. By telling a sexual partner you want them to get tested, or testing yourself and discussing results with a partner, you are caring about both your and their well being, which is awesome.

4. Foreplay

Image result for foreplay gif

One way to have ~fun~ and not at all have to share bodily fluids is foreplay. There are many blogs and books and magazines which discuss different types of foreplay, or how you can spice up your time with your special partner without actually inserting things places. Another alternative is buying sex toys and using them with your partner.

5. Abstinence/"Over The Pants Stuff"

Image result for my box is sealed gif

Last but not least, and as some might say an "outdated" sexual route, is abstinence, or barely "over the pants" action. By altogether abstaining from sexual acts, or simply using your hands and imagination, you can for sure avoid both pregnancy and STI's altogether.

safe sex

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

Essex County, NJ

765

Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less

finals

Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

University of Dayton

2331

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less

library

Student Life

26 Things to Thank Our Roommates For

Who knows where we would be without them.

Michigan State University

1566

StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less

roommates

Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Butler University

7338

Disney magic kingdom castle on new years

StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less

disney movies

Recommended for you

5 Steps To Follow For Safe Sex

Because nobody wants to get a STI. EVER.

1. Condoms, Condoms, Condoms

2. Birth Control

3. Open Communication

4. Foreplay

5. Abstinence/"Over The Pants Stuff"

Subscribe to our Newsletter

May the odds be ever in your favor.

Phase One: The “I got this” phase

Phase Two: The “I have time” phase

Phase Three: The uncontrollable sobbing phase

Phase Four: The “help me, I've fallen and I can't get up” phase

Phase Five: The rejoicing phase

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Health and Wellness

Subscribe to our
Newsletter