Safe Sex

Safe sex limits the risk of spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

Consent:

It means agreeing to participate in sexual activity. Consent must be freely given before and throughout any sexual activity by everyone involved. This means that someone cannot consent if they are pressured by others or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Consent is also reversible at any time, meaning that someone can change their mind about what they are comfortable with, even if they have already agreed to do something. Consent needs to be expressly stated; it is never implied by things like someone’s past behavior or clothing. Any sexual activity without explicit consent from all parties is assault or rape. 

STIs:

• Herpes 
• HPV
• HIV/AIDs
• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Syphilis  

Herpes:

Herpes is passed from person to person from skin-to-skin contact with infected areas. This can happen through sex or kissing. Herpes can cause sores around your mouth and genitals, and while it doesn’t cause any other severe health conditions, it can be painful and uncomfortable. More than half of adults have oral herpes, and one in six have genital herpes. It is an extremely common STI. However, many people don’t realize they have it because they don’t notice the symptoms. 

HPV:

HPV stands for Human papillomavirus. It is the most commonly transmitted STI in the United States. There are many variants of HPV, some of which can cause genital warts and cancer. Vaccinations can prevent these health problems from happening. However, any sexually active person can have HPV, and an infected person might go years without showing symptoms. HPV can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has it. Some ways to avoid HPV include getting regular testing for STIs, getting screened for cervical cancer, and using protection when having sex. 

AIDS/HIV:

You can get HIV/AIDS by having sex, sharing needles, and blood transfusions.  It can also happen during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding. Some risk factors are unprotected sex, having an STI, and using illicit injection drugs. If you get AIDS/HIV, it can stay in your system for up to 6 months, but that doesn't mean it is gone. But these things can be treated, but they never entirely go away. The medicine or treatment they give you helps keep you healthy, but you will still have HIV in your system. AIDS is a part of HIV. AIDS is caused by a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV. AIDS is very damaging to your immune system, and this disease is usually asymptomatic until it progresses to AIDS. AIDS symptoms typically include weight loss, fever or night sweats, fatigue, and recurrent infections. So far, no cure exists for AIDS, but strict adherence to antiretroviral (ART) can dramatically slow this disease’s progress, prevent secondary infections, and complications, and it can prolong your life. 

Gonorrhea:

Gonorrhea is one of the world's most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections. One of the main symptoms of gonorrhea is an unexplained fever. It can be caused by an infection and mainly affects the Penis and Vagina. It will cause both the penis and vagina to have an abnormal discharge, the unusual discharge from either the penis or vagina, which in some cases can be thin or watery and green or yellow in color. In addition, there will be pain or a burning sensation when passing urine. There might also be pain or tenderness in the lower abdominal area, but this is a less common symptom of gonorrhea. Some things for the girls could be bleeding between periods and having heavier periods. That doesn’t mean you can get both, but it is possible. There can also be bleeding after sex, but all three of these things are less common.

Chlamydia:

Chlamydia is a common STI. Unlike other STIs like HIV, it can be treated and will usually go away within a few weeks with antibiotics. Symptoms Like other STIs, someone can be infected without showing signs.

Syphilis:

The first stage of having syphilis involves a painless sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. After the initial sore heals, the second stage is characterized by a rash. Then, there are no symptoms until the final stage, which could occur years later. This final stage can result in damaging the brain, nerves, eyes, or heart. After the initial infection, the syphilis bacteria can remain inactive in the body for decades before becoming active again. If the doctor is able to catch syphilis early it can be cured, sometimes with a single injection of penicillin. In most cases without treatment, syphilis can severely damage the heart, brain, or other organs. It can also be extremely life-threatening. If you are pregnant and you have syphilis, the disease could be passed to your unborn children. There are six different types of syphilis. The types include Primary syphilis, Secondary syphilis, Latent syphilis, Tertiary syphilis, Neurosyphilis, and Congenital syphilis. You can get one of these types of syphilis from having sexual activities. 

• Birth control implant 
  • A birth control implant is a tiny rod that is inserted under the skin of a woman's upper arm. It's invisible and prevents pregnancy for up to 4 years.

• IUD
  • IUD stands for intrauterine device. It is a T-shaped piece of plastic that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of IUDs. One is coated in a layer of copper, and one contains hormones that slowly release. Both IUDs prevent pregnancy by killing sperm cells before they can combine with an egg. 

             • Birth control shot 

• A birth control shot is an injection of the hormone progestin that lasts three months. It can also be administered at home or by a healthcare professional.

• Birth control patch 
  • A birth control patch is a thin, beige piece of plastic that looks like a square bandage. It's easy to use and works like the pill, but you only need to change your patch once a week.

• Condoms 
  • Condoms are thin latex pouches that prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections by keeping sperm cells from entering the vagina. Male condoms are worn on the penis during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Condoms are placed on the penis when it becomes erect. The tip of the condom is held to leave room for the semen after ejaculation, and the rest of the condom is rolled to the base of the penis. 

• Internal condoms
  • A female (or internal) condom is a pouch inserted in the vagina or anus before sex for birth control and protection against sexually transmitted infections. It works like other condoms, except that it's worn on the inside.

• Fertility awareness 
  • Fertility awareness refers to practices used to determine the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle. Fertility awareness methods may be used to avoid pregnancy or to achieve pregnancy. It also helps as a way to monitor gynecological health.

• Abstinence 
  • Abstinence is a self-enforced restraint from indulging in bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. It is most frequently used as a term that refers to sexual abstinence. Sometimes it can also mean abstinence from alcohol, drugs, food, etc.