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When you’ve been single for a while with either no desire to be partnered or no available options you want to be in a relationship with, it can be difficult to relieve your sexual urges just through solo time. There’s nothing wrong with casual sex, but if you’re going to participate in getting it on with randoms, there are some precautions you need to take.
“The consequences of unprotected sex, whether disease transmission or unwanted pregnancy, can have long-lasting impacts on your life,” Good Clean Love founder and psychosexual therapist Wendy Strgar told Elite Daily. “I don’t think any sex is worth risking your health and future over.”
Here are a couple more tips about safe sex from the folks at Elite Daily.
Condoms
This one is a duh..but wrap it up! Don’t let someone telling you condoms feel weird deter you from protecting your body against unwanted STDs and infections.
“Condoms are the best way to help prevent sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and HIV infections,” Dr. Sherry A. Ross, women’s health expert, and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. Period told Elite Daily.
Birth Control
Birth control is not a good option for everyone, but if it works for you, it may be a great option to keep you protected against pregnancy. If you’re someone who has issues with hormonal birth control, there are also non-hormonal options for you.
“Those who report issues (e.g. nausea) with hormonal birth control may find that their symptoms subside when they switch to a non-hormonal birth control,” Jess O’Reilly, Ph.D. and host of the Drive Him Wild video course told Elite Daily. “You know your body best, so if you have a reaction to any birth control (hormonal or not), speak to your health practitioner about other options. Even if your side effect is rare, it’s affecting your body, so don’t be afraid to speak up and be your own health advocate.”
Keep Plan B Around
One of the best things that happened to women’s sexual health is when Plan B became available over the counter. Take advantage of that privilege and keep a pack around in case of emergency.
“It is important that these medications be used as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse to decrease the risk of pregnancy,” obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Sheila Loanzon told Elite Daily.
Get Tested Regularly
Even though asking someone to get tested can be awkward, it is a necessary conversation to maintain a healthy sex life.
“Majority of the STD testing done is negative, however you won’t give yourself the peace of mind and reassurance of negative testing unless testing is completed. Often STD symptoms may be silent or asymptomatic, so don’t let an opportunity pass you by,” Dr. Loanzon told Elite Daily. “It is better to know and get treated than to miss out on an opportunity to be ahead of your health.”
