Safe Sex 101: What to Know Before Getting Intimate
Double your pleasure and your fun with these helpful tips.
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Let's Talk About Sex - Talking about safer sex may seem intimidating and take the fun out of actually doing it, but it doesn’t have to be. Read some tips on how to broach the subject, strategies to get your partner to wrap it up and how to make safer sex more fun. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: GettyImages)
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Safe Sex Is Super Important - Not to be a downer, but Black women bear the brunt of the HIV and STD epidemic. Each year, we account for 64 percent of all new HIV infections among women, are six times more likely to have chlamydia and account for almost 75 percent of all gonorrhea cases among women. Knowing your status is everything. (Photo: dpa /Landov)
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Talk to Him About Condoms Before You Take Off Your Clothes - Bringing up condoms (or carrying condoms) does not make you seem slutty (get that out of your head now!) — in fact, safe sex is sexy. Don’t wait for him to mention wrapping it up first. Be prepared, be proactive and speak up simply and directly, even if it feels uncomfortable. (Photo: GettyImages)
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Make Him Speak Up - The only way to know is to ask: “So in your past relationships, how often did you use condoms?” Wait for his response and be clear that in your past relationships your partner wore condoms and you don’t want that to change now. By laying out the law, you are setting high expectations from the jump. (Photo: Simon Watson/Getty Images)
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“No One Else Makes Me Use Condoms” - Boy, bye. If he refuses, remind him that if he cares for/loves you, then he should want to protect you and himself. Your reply might be something like, “Safe sex or no sex?” Also, let him know that this is what you need to be in a relationship and/or have sex because this isn’t about not trusting him — this is about safety and respect. (Photo: Inti St. Clair/GettyImages)
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Experiment With Condoms - So you talked to him and he’s on board with wrapping it up? Now go ahead and have fun with it. Condoms come in different colors, different flavors and different thicknesses — take advantage of that and mix it up. (Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Lube It - Personal lubricants help keep condoms from breaking because they decrease friction, which is crucial for HIV and other STD protection. Lube also can make sex last longer and intensify how it feels. We suggest using a water-based lube only. (Photo: Courtesy Trojan Lubricants)
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The Female Condom - This thin rubber pouch is inserted into the vagina and also protects you from STDs, HIV and pregnancy. It can be a little awkward at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a great way for women to have some control in condom use and to switch it up. (Photo: Keith Brofsky/GettyImages)
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Get Tested - Getting tested isn’t sexy per se, but neither is being anxious about not knowing your HIV and STD status. Set up an appointment to have some peace of mind. And talk to your partner about doing the same, so you can both be on the same page. (Photo: Chicago Tribune/MCT /Landov)