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| Contraceptives: |
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| Safer sex |
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The bad news is that there is no such thing
as safe sex. The only way to avoid surprise
pregnancies and nasty diseases is to abstain
from sex. Most people are not willing to even
consider this option. So if you can’t
exercise any control over your libido, the next
best thing is to practice safer sex. But just
like it takes two people to make love, it takes
two people to practice safer sex. This is something
that you have to discuss with your partner.
Contrary to popular belief, sex is not just
about penetration. You and your partner could
explore other forms of sexual expression like
kissing, cuddling and caressing each other.
There’s no harm trying it out. You’ll
be surprised how pleasurable it can be. |
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| Tips
for playing it safe |
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| It is understandable if this is not a viable
option for most people because people in a relationship
are bound to want to move on to the next step
sooner or later. In that case, you should take
the following precautionary measures: |
- Buy your own
condoms and don’t forget to check the
expiry date. And this applies to women too.
Remember that your body is your responsibility.
It is up to you to look out for yourself and
take the necessary precautions.
- Make sure that you or your partner knows how
to use a condom properly and use it every
time you have sex.
- You are not going to be in a condition to
make a sensible decision about safer sex under
the influence of alcohol or drugs. Make your
stand clear to your partner before you indulge
yourself in these substances.
- Promiscuity could mean trouble. Be picky about
your sexual partners and try to avoid having
intercourse with people who have multiple
partners.
- Birth control pills, diaphragms or IUDs do
not provide adequate protection against STDs.
Spermicides provide a small degree of protection
against STDs, but it is advisable to use them
in combination with other methods of protection.
- Keep
yourself informed about the symptoms of different
STDs so that you can check with the doctor
if you have the slightest suspicion that you
have contracted a STD.
- If
you are sexually active, it is a good idea
to routinely check for STDS even if you don’t
have any symptoms.
- Tell
your partner if you have been diagnosed as
having a STD so that he or she can get tested.
- If
you or your partner have been infected with
a STD, you will have to abstain from sex.
- Don’t
let any feelings of embarrassment stand in
the way of your visiting the doctor if you
suspect that you may have contracted a STD.
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| What
to expect at the doctor’s clinic |
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The doctor will probably
ask you what symptoms you have that prompted
you to think that you may have contracted a
STD. He will ask you questions about your sex
life and if your partner displays any symptoms
of a STD.
Once he has made a note of your history, he
will conduct a physical examination. He will
probably need you to undergo some tests to confirm
his diagnosis. Tests will be run on blood samples,
urine samples and any swabs that the doctor
takes from the affected area. The results may
take a few days to come in so abstain from having
sex in the interim to be on the safe side. |
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