With sexually transmitted disease on the rise, it’s just not practical to ignore safe sex. STDs are more widespread than ever, and you need to be careful not to catch one. A recent survey of 16-24 year olds revealed that 63% of those polled had had unprotected sex, and a third had done so with two or more partners – despite the same poll revealing that contracting HIV and AIDS was their biggest fear when It comes to sex. While an STD test and subsequent treatment can cure some unpleasant ailments, others are incurable, so practicing safe sex is all important. Sadly for the terrified teens, the only fail-safe method of prevention is abstinence, but thankfully there are ways of reducing the risks to a near negligible level…

Western society is quite promiscuous these days, but has failed to take the precautions that should come with the associated dangers. If safe sex is not practiced, people leave themselves open to all kinds of consequences, including:

• Unwanted pregnancy

• Curable STDs, such as Chlamydia, Gonnorhea and Syphilis.

• Incurable STDs, such as herpes, hepatitis or HIV and AIDS.

• Cervical cancer

• Infertility

The best way to prevent any of these is to abstain from sexual contact, but obviously this isn’t preferable. After that, every type of sex has some kind of risk attached, though the dangers of contracting a sexually transmitted disease through masturbating a partner are very low. Oral sex has a slightly higher risk, because infections can still be taken into the body, but the risk is still low compared to penetrative sex – and of course unwanted pregnancy is not a risk. Penetrative (both vaginal and anal) are the riskiest forms of sex, but the use of a condom can significantly reduce the dangers.

The condom is by far the best protection you can have for safe sex. While other forms of contraception like the diaphragm or the cap will of course prevent pregnancy, they only offer limited protection against sexually transmitted disease, and it would be foolish to rely on them. Condoms however block the exchange of bodily fluids that may carry infection, as well as preventing pregnancy, provided that they are used correctly. Here are some tips that should ensure their protective qualities:

• Pinch the air out of the top when putting the condom on – if you leave it in there, the condom stands far more chance of breaking.

• Use latex or polyurethane condoms ahead of animal skin ones – they are far more effective at preventing the spread of STDs.

• Make sure the condoms you use carry the European CE mark or the BSI kitemark.

• Check the expiry date – if your condom is past its expiry date, it won’t provide the protection you need.

• Store your condoms in a cool dry place to keep them in good condition.

• If you need lubricant use a water based one – the likes of butter, body lotion, petroleum jelly, massage oil and baby oil will break down latex condoms, making them more likely to fail.

• For anal sex use a stronger condom with a water-based lubricant.

• For safe sex, always use a condom for the entire duration of anal, oral or vaginal sex.

If you live by this advice, your likelihood of catching a sexually transmitted disease is significantly lower. But is it ever safe to stop using condoms and practice unprotected sex? Yes – if you are with a partner for a long period of time, and are absolutely sure that both of you are free of sexually transmitted disease (take an std test to be certain), being monogamous and not sharing drug-injecting equipment, then you should be safe to enjoy your love-making without the threat of STDs ruining your good time.