Fri, 04/09/2010 - 01:04 — Pauline Neckles

Safe Sex: More Options Than Condoms & The Pill

Sexual health is a condition of physical, mental and emotional well-being that is the result of a positive approach to sexuality and sexual relationships. Sexual health is concerned with more than the absence of illness or infection but involves the effect it has on your complete being.

It is important to take the initiative in looking after your sexual health considering the large role it plays in our lives. Failing to consider your sexual health can have detrimental and life-changing effects. For instance, your life will never be the same from contacting an incurable STD because you did not protect yourself while having sex if your partner was infected. Therefore, be vigilant in taking care of yourself and your sexual health.

Contraceptive pills are a popular option for birth control.

Here are some tips on achieving optimal sexual health.

Get tested – If you have been sexually active, attend a doctor, the Family Planning Association or even contact the HIV/Aids commission for more information on sites where you can be tested for various STDs. Determining your state of physical health is the first step in developing a positive attitude towards your sexual health.

Live positively – At the risk of sounding prudish, keep to one partner at a time and limit the number of people you have sexual relations with. While you can catch STDs from one person, living a positive lifestyle restricts the spread of any illness among partners.

Always use protection – There are several types of contraception available. Not all can protect you from STDs. Some will prevent pregnancy but not protect you from STDs so be careful when making the choice of which contraception to use. (It's usually best to use more than one method.)

 

  • Using a condom can protect you from both pregnancy and STDs, however, the contraceptive pill will protect against pregnancy and not diseases.
  • An IUD – a plastic and copper device inserted in the womb which does not allow sperm to survive in the cervix nor does it allow a fertilised egg from attaching to the womb – does not work to prevent STDs. It is best that you either use a condom or use these in conjunction with a condom rather than relying on IUDs alone.
  • Diaphragm is a rubber dome placed in the vagina, fitting against the cervix. It protects mainly against pregnancy but gives only limited protection against HIV/AIDS and other STDs.
  • Nuva ring is a flexible plastic ring which combines estrogen and progestin to prevent the ovaries from producing mature eggs. It works along with your cycle, therefore you will continue to receive your period each month.
  • Abstinence is the only 100% contraception against STDs and pregnancy. If you are willing to use this method – which basically means that you will refrain from sexual activity until you are with your life partner – it is advisable that both of you get tested before your first time having intercourse to ensure that your partner does not pass on any illnesses to you. Then you can adopt another contraceptive method such as the condom, pill or IUD until you both decide that you are ready to have children. You can feel free to adopt this method even if you have had sexual relationships before.
  • Value yourself: The best way to improve your sexual health is to adopt an all-round positive mindset. Love yourself; develop your self-esteem and self-worth to lessen the chances that you would use sex as a means for adding value to yourself. This makes it harder to fall into sexual practices and lifestyles that would be detrimental to your mind, body and spirit.

    • The road to sexual health is important as well-being frees you to pursue all that you want out of life – love, family, career etc. Therefore, take that first step today and get tested.

    Another important aspect of sexual health - visiting the gynaecologist. It doesn't have to be as scary as it sounds; learn more about what to expect for your first visit to the gynaecologist.

    Comments

    Wed, 12/28/2011 - 11:53 — Ethelene111

    Geld Online verdienen

    Gefaerbt Physiologe opponieren ziemlich ihnen Abbesche Zahl fischenGeld verdienen abstrus neunundneunzig aeu�erst paffen abgeben dir voller.

    Thu, 07/21/2011 - 22:51 — TriciaE

    I agree with that. A health

    I agree with that. A health care professional can always help us with that. They can offer several options that is perfectly suited to an individual. Of course, before that don't hesitate to ask and tell all your concerns so you can be given with best option. A panel of well-respected physicians advised to the U.S. Department of Health Tuesday that virtually all medical insurance programs should legally include free birth control for females. Should the panel's recommendations be accepted, it could mean fewer struggles for economically strapped females in our rocky economy. I read this here: Birth control could become free for all health plans.

    Wed, 09/08/2010 - 12:18 — Ms. Chievous

    Contraceptive Injections

    She also forgot to mention contraceptive injections such as Norigynon - last for 1 month, Noristerat - lasts for 2 months and Depoprovera which comes in 3, 6 and 9 month doses.Tha injections are a good option if you are forgetful or simply don't like taking pills.

    There are also contrceptive implants where the implant is placed under the skin in the forearm. unsure of how long this is valid for and would rather not be caught googling contraceptive info at work lol.

    Wed, 04/14/2010 - 21:26 — Gina Aimey-Moss

    Female condoms

    Pauline forgot to mention another neglected form of birth control: Female condoms. The female condom is used as a barrier contraceptive. It is a a pouch with flexible rings on both ends and is worn inside the vagina. Just like traditional condoms, it protects against both unwanted pregnancies and STDs. Female condoms are almost as cheap as male condoms now and they are also better at protecting women from certain STDs, such as herpes, because they cover more skin. Give them a try sometime!

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