When you started thinking about New Year’s goals, you sure planned to exercise, travel, have a balanced diet, but did you think about your sexual health? Do you know how you can take care of it? Experts explain it in this article.
The arrival of the new year may be the perfect time to start thinking about sexual health, since it is a fundamental part of our body, which also requires care to be able to enjoy it satisfactorily. Read here: Science says it: vibrators have benefits for women’s health
“We cannot lose the perception of the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection. Some, such as gonorrhea, syphilis or chlamydia, do not show up until they are very advanced and can have very unpleasant consequences”, explains Miguel Ángel Llamas, a molecular biologist.
Tips for satisfactory sexual health
To take care of sexual health in 2023, Empíreo experts offer different tips that can help you enjoy a full and safe sexual life:
1. Always use a condom! Especially when we have an active sexual life and with multiple partners. It is not only about preventing pregnancies, but about protecting yourself from any contagion by sharing fluids. It may interest you: The 6 questions that sexologists answer the most in consultation
2. Protection also in oral sex. If there is contact with sexual fluids or other conditions, such as warts, herpes, parasites (crabs) or molluscs, there is a risk of contagion.
3. The pill does not prevent infections. Pharmacological contraceptive methods such as the pill, as well as intrauterine (IUD), surgical or chemical spermicides help prevent pregnancy, but not sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). That is why it is recommended to use a condom in all sexual relations.
4. Neither does PrEP. Pre-exposure prophylaxis is a useful pharmacological method to prevent HIV infection, but not for other pathologies such as gonorrhea, syphilis or human papillomavirus (HPV), among others.
5. Be careful with toys. Sharing toys is not highly recommended, the most hygienic thing is for everyone to use their own, alone and in company.
6. Avoid alcohol and drug use. The conduct chemsex (consumption of substances to facilitate or intensify sexual activity) is in fashion, but experts say that it is responsible for a multitude of infections, so they suggest avoiding its practice. Read: Birth control pills: the reason why they decrease sexual desire
7. Control tests. Regular tests to rule out an infection provide peace of mind and greater enjoyment of sexual relations. Also, if the result were positive, you could access appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
8. Know thoroughly the STDs. Understanding the effects of different sexually transmitted diseases can help you stay alert and not act on impulse.
9. Porn is not a good example. Sometimes people want to repeat what they see in certain porn scenes, but it’s not the best idea. Porn actors and actresses undergo control tests on each filming to demonstrate that they will not be at risk of contagion. Also read: Colombia: second country where women watch more porn than men
10. And again…. the condom, always! It does not hurt to repeat it, because it is the best barrier to protect yourself from many pathologies that can harm health in the long term.