Safer Sex: Play it Safe

Always remember to keep it safe. Sexual activity always carries the possibility of infection. On the other hand Safe Sex has opened many new alternatives for us. Enjoy them!

Precautions

Sex does not have to be penetrative for it to be a means of transmission. However, with a few simple precautions the chances can be reduced to a very low level and you should be able to relax and enjoy being with your partner.

If you are already HIV positive, genuinely safe sex is even more important, as there are all sorts of other infections you can catch through anal sex, and if your immune system is depressed, their effect will be far more serious.

Condoms

The use of condoms reduces but does not eliminate risk. There remains the danger of strains and tears to the rectum and anal sphincter. Failure to appreciate this simple fact has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands, and a life of chronic sickness for many more.

Having anal sex with a condom is not "safe sex". The manufacturers claim condoms are 97% successful. That means you if have sex every day for a month with someone who is HIV positive, you will probably become infected. Would you fly in an aircraft which had a 97% change of arriving at its destination? Would you have unsafe sex with someone who was HIV positive?

Avoid Penetration

Evolution has not adapted men's bodies to enable them to have penetrative sex with each other. In particular, it is vital to bear in mind that the rectum is not a sex organ. The rectum and lower bowel serve primarily as a holding chamber for solid waste, pending evacuation. This part of the body is not designed to have objects of any kind inserted into it. The lining of the rectum is thin and easily damaged. Penetrative anal sex is an efficient route for the transmission of all sorts of infection.

Equally important, focussing mainly on anal intercourse can deprive you and your friend of the opportunity to explore your bodies in the most creative and enjoyable ways.

Aromatherapy Oils

The chances of skin infection can be reduced through the use of aromatherapy oils; as well as providing a pleasant lubricant, aromatherapy oils act as a useful protective barrier and have a certain amount of anti-bacterial activity.