Safe sex (also called safer sex) is a term describing practices designed to reduce the risk of sustaining or imparting sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) (also known as sexually-transmitted diseases or STDs in the US). Conversely, unsafe sex refers to the participation in a sexual relationship without the benefit or use of any contraceptive or preventative measures against STIs. Insert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text hereSexually-transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), are diseases that are commonly transmitted between partners through some form of sexual activity, most commonly vaginal intercourse, oral... US,Us or us may stand for the United States of America us, the oblique case form of the English language pronoun we. ... An intimate relationship is a interpersonal relationship where there is a great deal of physical or emotional intimacy. ...

Recently, and mostly within the United States, the use of the term safer sex rather than safe sex has gained greater use by health wrokers, with the realization that risk of transmission of sexually-transmitted infections in various sexual activities is a continuum rather than a simple dichotomy of risky/safe. However, in most other countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, the term safe sex is still mainly used by sex educators, perhaps in the recognition that with the strict adherence to these techniques the risks of catching the more dangerous STIs are quite low. Sexual behavior is a form of physical intimacy that may be directed to reproduction (one possible goal of sexual intercourse) and/or to the enjoyment of activity involving sexual gratification. ...

Regardless of terminology, with all safe sex practices, most attention has focused on controlling HIV, which causes AIDS, but each STI presents a different predicament. However, safer sex educators recommend that some form of barrier protection should be used for all sexual activities which might potentially result in the exchange of body fluids. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus that infects cells of the human immune system. ... AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, sometimes written Aids) is a global, human epidemic. ...

Safer sex methods

Sexual abstinence, while it virtually eliminates the risk of STIs or pregnancy, is technically not a method of pursuing "safer sex". Solitary masturbation (including so-called "phone sex" and cybersex) is also completely safe. Sexual abstinence or chastity is the practice of voluntarily refraining from sexual intercourse and (usually) other sexual activity. ... Masturbation is the manual excitation of the sexual organs, most often to the point of orgasm. ... Phone sex refers to sexually explicit conversation between two or more persons via telephone, especially when at least one of the participants masturbates or engages in sexual fantasy. ... Cybersex or computer sex is a virtual sex encounter in which two or more persons connected remotely via a computer network send one another sexually explicit messages describing a sexual experience. ...

Outside of total abstinence and masturbation, proponents of safer sex recommend that some of the following methods can minimize the risks of STI transmission and pregnancy during sexual activity:

Controlling social factors

• Monogamy. However, be aware that many monogamous people have been infected with sexually-transmitted diseases by non-monogamous partners.
• Knowing your partner(s), especially their STI status.
• Treating existing STIs.
• Communicating with your partner. Being assertive in saying what you want and don't want. This includes discussing beforehand what is acceptable and what is not to avoid "heat of passion" decisions.
• For those who are not monogamous, reducing your number of sexual partners, particularly anonymous sexual partners, will also reduce your potential exposure to STIs.
• Not using recreational drugs, including alcohol, in a way that increases the likelihood you will be negligent of other safer sex guidelines.

In monogamy (Greek: monos = single/only and gamos = marriage) a person has only one spouse at a time (as opposed to polygamy). ... Adultery is generally defined as consensual sexual intercourse by a married person with someone other than their lawful spouse. ... Recreational drug use is the use of psychoactive drugs for recreational rather than medical or spiritual purposes, although the distinction is not always clear. ... In general usage, alcohol (from Arabic al-khwl الكحول, or al-ghawl الغول) refers almost always to ethanol, also known as grain alcohol, and often to any beverage that contains ethanol (see alcoholic beverage). ...

Preventing fluid exchange

Avoiding any contact with blood, vaginal fluid, and semen of the partner: Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are present in the blood and help carry oxygen to the rest of the cells in the body Blood is a circulating tissue composed of fluid plasma and cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets). ... Vaginal lubrication is the naturally produced lubricating fluid that reduces friction during sexual intercourse. ... Semen or ejaculate is the fluid discharged from the penis during ejaculation, usually at the time of orgasm. ...

1. Use condoms. Condoms cover the penis during sexual activity. They are most frequently made of latex, but can also be made out of polyurethane for those who have a latex allergy, or they can be made out of animal intestine. Polyurethane is thought to be a safe material for use in condoms, since it is nonporous and viruses cannot pass through it. However, there is less research on its effectiveness than there is on latex. Any condoms made out of animal skin or intestine, such as Trojan NaturaLamb, are not thought to be safe because they are porous and viruses such as HIV can pass through them.
   • Do not handle condoms with sharp fingernails.
   • Do not use latex condoms together with oil-based lubricants.
   • Do not reuse condoms.
   • Ensure that the condom is not past its expiration date.
   • Never keep a latex condom in a wallet!
   • Never "double up" latex condoms by using two at the same time. The friction of latex against latex may cause the condoms to tear.
2. Female condom. This condom is inserted into the vagina prior to intercourse. It is also sometimes used for anal sex.
3. Dental dam. A sheet of latex (originally used for dentistry) for protection when engaging in oral sex. It is typically used as a barrier between the mouth and the vagina during cunnilingus or between the mouth and the anus during anilingus. Dental dams may also be made by cutting up condoms or vinyl or latex gloves.
4. Medical gloves. Gloves made out of latex, vinyl, nitrile, or polyurethane may be used as dental dams during oral sex, or to protect the hands during mutual masturbation. Hands may have invisible cuts on them that may admit pathogens that are found in semen or vaginal fluids. Although the risk of infection in this manner is thought to be low, many people use gloves as an extra precaution. Gloves also make mutual masturbation more comfortable by preventing sharp fingernails from accidentally scratching the genitalia.
5. Another way to avoid contact with blood and semen is outercourse, which is sexual activity not involving penetration. Despite that the method is effective, it is only occasionally mentioned by safer-sex educators.

A standard latex condom still rolled up This article is about the contraceptive device. ... The extraction of Latex from a tree; Latex is used in Rubber production. ... A polyurethane is any polymer consisting of a chain of organic units joined by urethane links. ... Allergic reactions to natural rubber latex account for a significant proportion of perioperative anaphylactic reaction, especially in children. ... A common alternate meaning of virus is computer virus. ... HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus that infects cells of the human immune system. ... A standard latex condom still rolled up This article is about the contraceptive device. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy The vagina (from the Latin for sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female mammals, or to the cloaca in female birds and some reptiles. ... Roman man and youth having anal sex. ... Dental dams [1] are essentially square sheets of latex used in dentistry, specifically endodontic treatment (root canals). ... Oral sex consists of all those sexual activities that involve the use of the mouth, tongue, etc. ... Oral sex consists of all those sexual activities that involve the use of the mouth, tongue, etc. ... 14th century manuscript illustration of the accusations of sodomy against the Knights Templar Anal_oral contact (commonly referred to as anilingus and colloquially known as rimming or tossing salad) is sexual activity involving contact between the anus or perianal areas of one person and the mouth of another. ... A vinyl is an organic molecule containing a vinyl group: H R / C = C / H H where R represents a functional group such as a hydrocarbon or halogen. ... Medical gloves are medical safety accessories that ensure sanitary hospital conditions by limiting patients exposure to infectious matter. ... A nitrile is an organic compound which has a -CN functional group. ... Mutual masturbation is a sexual act where two or more people stimulate one another sexually, usually with the hands. ... Semen or ejaculate is the fluid discharged from the penis during ejaculation, usually at the time of orgasm. ... Vaginal lubrication is the naturally produced lubricating fluid that reduces friction during sexual intercourse. ... Outercourse is sexual activity that does not involve penetration. ...

Ineffective measures

Note that most methods of contraception (birth control) other than the barrier methods mentioned above are not effective at preventing the spread of STIs.

The spermicide Nonoxynol-9 has been claimed to reduce the likelihood of STI transmission. However a recent study by the World Health Organisation [1] (http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/rhr_03_8/Nonoxynol_9.pdf) has shown that Nonoxynol-9 is an irritant and can produce tiny tears in mucous membranes, which may increase the risk of transmission by offering pathogens more easy points of entry into the system. As a result condoms with a Nonoxynol-9 lubricant are not to be promoted. However it is better to use a condom with Nonoxynol-9 than no condom at all Spermicides are substances that are sperm killing. ... Nonoxynol-9 is a chemical that is widely used in contraceptives for its spermicidal properties. ... For other meanings of the acronym WHO, see WHO (disambiguation) WHO flag Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Health Organization (WHO) is an agency of the United Nations, acting as a coordinating authority on international public health. ... A pathogen (literally birth of pain from the Greek παθογένεια) is a biological agent that can cause disease to its host. ...

"Pulling out," in which the penis is removed from the vagina, anus, or mouth before ejaculation, is not safe sex and can result in STI transmission. This is because of the formation of pre-ejaculate, a fluid (which may contain sperm) that oozes from the urethra before actual ejaculation. In addition, open sores on either partner can permit transmission. Illustration of the human male anatomy. ... Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid or Cowpers fluid) is the clear lubricating fluid that is issued from a mans penis when he is aroused. ... Male anatomy Female anatomy In anatomy, the urethra is a tube which connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. ...

Controversy

Some conservatives object to the "safer sex" movement on the grounds that it promotes what they hold to be immoral and high-risk behavior, namely promiscuous sex outside of marriage. This, they argue, increases rather than decreases the risk of contracting STDs. They believe that the best way to avoid sexual disease is abstinence before marriage followed by lifelong mutual fidelity thereafter. By way of contrast, proponents of the safer sex movement contend that it is often difficult to compel adolescents to refrain from sexual activity, and impossible to compel adults to remain sexually monogamous. They conclude that it is better to offer comprehensive sexual education involving "safer sex" techniques as a practical measure rather than risk infection or pregnancy to uphold a moral ideal. Marriage is a relationship and bond, most commonly between a man and a woman, that plays a key role in the definition of many families. ...

Some studies show that young adults who make an external commitment to maintain their virginity until marriage have similar rates of STI infection as those who have not made an external commitment.[2] (http://my.webmd.com/content/article/102/106704.htm) Other studies show that the effect of abstinence pledges typically include the delay of vaginal sexual intercourse by 12 to 18 months, but with decreased likelihood of condom use at the first encounter.[3] (http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/102/106704.htm?pagenumber=2) Additionally, those who commit to sexual abstinance are more likely to participate in oral and anal sex than those who have not made that commitment. The Heritage Foundation reports, however, that "pledgers" are 40% less likely to have children outside of marriage and claim that abstinence education (without focus on contraceptive solutions) is consistent with the values of parents in the United States[4] (http://www.heritage.org/Research/Welfare/wm461.cfm?renderforprint=1). A young adult is an informal term used to describe the transition from teenager to adult. ... A virgin is most commonly seen as a person who has not engaged in sexual intercourse. ... Virginity pledges (or Abstinence pledges) have been undertaken by over 2. ... Oral sex consists of all those sexual activities that involve the use of the mouth, tongue, etc. ... Roman man and youth having anal sex. ... The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank located in Washington, DC, is widely regarded as one of the worlds most influential public policy research institutes. ...

In the US, some have claimed that condoms are ineffective against HIV transmission, particularly during anal sex. These claims have been disputed by many medical researchers, who view correctly used condoms as effective protection. Some studies have shown that, even with the best of intentions, condom users can often use condoms improperly, so that the transmission rate remains disturbingly high. Advocates of safe sex education point out that it has to start at an early age to be effective, a notion which arouses even heavier opposition from conservatives given the taboo of child sexuality. US,Us or us may stand for the United States of America us, the oblique case form of the English language pronoun we. ... A taboo is a strong social prohibition (or ban) relating to any area of human activity or social custom declared as sacred and forbidden; breaking of the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society. ... Child and youth sexuality refers to sexual behavior and activity among children. ...

External links

• "Guide to Safer Sex" from the Society for Human Sexuality's sexuality.org site. Very explicit information on making various sexual practices safer:
  • Concise version (20k) (http://www.sexuality.org/concise.html)
  • Long version (97k) (http://www.sexuality.org/safesex.html)
• "Safe Sex" (http://mindprod.com/safesex.html) by Roedy Green. Introduction (with personal comments) by a HIV-positive gay man.