How to practice safe sex.

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You've reminded me that it is time for a substantial rewrite of the original HIV thread. This sounds like a project for my winter holidays.

This topic would be better with photographs of the effects that STIs can have, as well as proper listing of symptoms.

STIs aren't the only issue regarding unsafe sex; unprotected anal sex can lead to urinary tract infections due to the residual faecal matter. There are also recent links between unprotected oral and anal sex leading to an increased risk of developing mouth and anal cancers.

Condoms in the UK

In the UK, anyone can get free condoms from a Contraceptive and Sexual Health (CASH) (formerly known as Family Planning) or Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics. They would have to see a Health Care Assistant (HCA) or specialist nurse, but would otherwise be given free condoms.

Anyone between 14 and 24 can also sign-up for something called a C-Card (Condom Card), which allows them to simply pick up a packet of 3, 6, or 12 condoms each week from any place displaying the C-Card logo (namely CASH/GUM clinics). The amount you can get depends on your age and whether you're sexually active. They offer a choice of condoms; regular, flavoured, ribbed/dotted, large, snug, feather, sensitive (doesn't have spermicide), and latex-free. Lubricant can also be requested (it's not usually offered by the health care professional due to higher costs), but it's anyone's guess what you'll get.

Being overly nerdy is the best form of safe sex. Well, the best is being ugly, but not everyone can be so lucky in that respect. For the rest of us, NERD OUT!

This is awesome!!!

Are there any unique ways to practice safe sex that would apply to our lesbian members, or to those who participate in heterosexual activity?

Lesbians who stick with other lesbians are probably the safest people around when it comes to sex, very little PIV going on there.

How about a section to cover myths? The one I hear alot is that the top is less likely to become infected during unprotected sex. How about other venereal disease symptoms to look out for?

ShutUpAndBeHappy wrote:Are there any unique ways to practice safe sex that would apply to our lesbian members, or to those who participate in heterosexual activity?

Nothing unique. You should put a condom on sex toys (where possible) or at least wash them thoroughly between use and if sharing. Also, dental dams should be used when performing oral sex whether on the vagina or anus.

Also, don't forget that if someone has an active cold sore and sucks you off/ licks you out, you can develop genital Herpes.

Brenden wrote:

Blaz wrote:How about a section to cover myths? The one I hear alot is that the top is less likely to become infected during unprotected sex.

That's not a myth. For HIV transmission, the risk for bottoming is 50 per 10,000 exposures (1 in 200), while the risk for topping is 6.5 per 10,000 exposures (1 in 1,500). That means the risk of transmission is 7.7 times greater for the bottom. [source]

Wow that's informative.

Well I treat people with STD's quite often (EMT-B). So I get checked quite often. Never had anything but I would just like to say something, don't think sex is the only way to catch something. I have worked with several people who have contracted STD's by treating patients.

As for sex, No comment. Stay safe.

Sexual Health in Bristol

REMEMBER THAT SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL UNLESS THE STAFF BELIEVE YOU TO BE AT RISK, IN WHICH CASE THEY MAY HAVE TO TELL SOMEONE ABOVE THEM, BUT THIS WILL BE DISCUSSED WITH YOU AND WILL NOT BE SHARED WITH ANYONE WHO DOES NOT ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO KNOW.

In Bristol, sexual health services for young people are managed by a branch of the NHS called 4YP, which stand for 'For Young People'. 4YP have a distinctive logo:



This is displayed in pharmacies, doctor's surgeries, the GUM clinic in the City Centre, some youth clubs and some colleges. Anywhere you see this you can pick up a chlamydia test (a shiny blue packet for males and a shiny pink one for females) and a packet of condoms. This packet normally contains eight condoms and two sachets of lube. There are normally a mix which equates to roughly 4 standard, two flavoured, a ribbed or dotted one and an extra safe. Lube-wise, there are normally two packets of plain lube.

You can go into any 4YP Doctor's Practice and ask for a drop in. They will normally see you within 15 minutes, and your consultation normally lasts 15 minutes, but can be as long as it needs to be.

You can talk to them about anything, as long as it's sex or relationships related. You can register for a C-Card, which is a condom card, as explained by Reitou Sakura above. Differently though, you can use it as many times as you need to in one period. There are ten empty squares, which get filled in as you use it. When asking for a C-Card, you are given something called 'the condom teach', in which they show you how to properly use a condom, explain sexual health to you and try to dispel any obvious myths. The condom teach is simple and easy to understand so ensure you ask away!

There's a link to the website below.

http://www.4ypbristol.co.uk/

Just remember, the key to good sexual wellbeing rests with you.

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Back when I used condoms, I got them for free at Pride Parades and events. Some events have booths that promote this or that organization, and they give away free condoms with advertising on the packets.

Youth centers also have small supplies.

Some may have figured it out, but it's important to note that size does indeed matter. If a condom is too large for the penis, it may slip off during use. If it is too small, there is risk of tearing.

Also, condoms do have a shelf life. The rubber degrades over time. It could be as long as five years before a condom becomes "unsafe", or maybe as little as one year depending on what else is on it - like lube and spermicides. Don't even bother using a condom if the packet has been opened before it's time to use it.

Excellent thread bouby

Milo wrote:Excellent thread bouby

+1

Apollo wrote:Don't even bother using a condom if the packet has been opened before it's time to use it.

Who would use a condom that had been opened already...?