Evaluating Risky Sexual Activity

Sexual activity comes with a wide range of risks. Many people don't even know all of the risks involved in different types of activities. Often times only a few things are considered and a few questions asked. However, it is a good idea to evaluate all of the risks in sexual activity. Knowing what is out there and how to help protect yourself is the best thing!

For years safe sex is what everyone has been spouting. However, the only "safe" sex is abstinence. Any other time that there is someone involved there is a risk of both pregnancy and STD's. Measures can be used to reduce the risk of both making it "safer". Measures for safer sex should always be taken unless in a long term committed monogamous relationship.

Pregnancy is often a big factor in sexual activity. There is a lot of false information about the risks of sexual activity and pregnancy. That misinformation could leave you with an unwanted pregnancy. While there are different degrees of risk, knowing can help you protect yourself and your body.

There are a number of different options that can be used for protecting against pregnancy. Some are available over the counter, but many are prescription based. Birth control methods fall into two main categories.

Barrier methods- These are methods that are there to stop sperm from entering into the uterus. The most common of these is the condom which comes in a male and female version, is available at many stores, and is relatively in expensive. Many barriers are used with spermicide jellies and foams to kill the sperm and increase their effectiveness.

Hormone methods- These are methods that use hormones to regulate your schedule and make it less likely that you will get pregnant. They include several forms of the pill, patches, shots, and other sorts of things these days.

There are a few that fall into some debated categories. One is the IUD (in uterine device) which is sometimes chemical, but is usually based on disrupting the lining of the uterus making it a lot harder to get pregnant.

The morning after pill- The morning after pill is really an abortion option. It is designed for getting rid of a fertilized egg if it is exists. While it is a lot easier then an abortion and a lot cheaper it comes with a lot of concerns (side effects) and a lot of moral implications. This is something that each woman needs to decide for herself.

It should be noted that none of these methods is 100% accurate at stopping pregnancy. Most reduce the risks so that the chances of getting pregnant is very small. It is best to use a method that works well for you and that you feel comfortable with. There are many agencies that will discuss your options with you to help you make a choice and many provide lower cost birth control options.

Intercourse- This is the one most people know about. It is easy to see that intercourse is something that leads to pregnancy. This is especially true if the man ejaculates ("cums") in the woman. The sperm is then just where it should be and can lead to pregnancy.

The Pull Out Method- Many people don't think they are in danger because they have intercourse, but the man pulls out before he ejaculates. This isn't "safer" sex at all. Many times there are accidents which lead to ejaculation and there is also some sperm in the "precum" which can cause pregnancy as well. It only takes one sperm to make a baby.

Outercourse- The word outercourse is used to describe a few different sexual activities. Most often it refers to rubbing the man's genitals on the woman's. It usually feels good for both parties and seems fairly safe. However this can lead to accidental intercourse, can lead to sperm being ejaculated close to the vagina which can lead to it swimming upstream, and can lead to pregnancy.

Jerking off- Some guys will masturbate over the woman. This can be exciting and fun for both parties. However this has two risks. The first is that if he ejaculates onto her genitals it does carry a risk of pregnancy. If he or she gets sperm on their fingers and then touch the woman's genitals this also carries a risk of pregnancy.

While not all these risks are equal, it should be noted that there is risk in a lot more then just intercourse. It is possible to have the risk of pregnancy with a lot of different types of sexual activity.

Whether you are one who was trained in the old ways and call STD's STD's or you call them STI's it doesn't really change the facts much. One of the big risks of sexual activity is sexually transmitted diseases (or infections). This includes a wide range of illnesses from HIV (virus that leads to AIDS) to herpes, gonorrhea, and other problems. Some are curable, others you live with the rest of your life. The best thing is to know a lot about your risks so you can make wise decisions about your risks and what you are willing to risk.

Touching is the safest sexual activity that you can do. It has the fewest risks. However, there is some risk of STD's.

HIV- The risk of getting HIV through touching is fairly small. However, if there is sexual fluids (precum, semen, vaginal secretions) and a person has a cut on the area that he or she is using to touch with then there is some risk.

Herpes- Herpes is one that is easier to get by touching. Often times it requires touching the genital region of one person and then yourself or your face. This causes cold sore like bumps on the infected region (which can include the mouth, the eyes, and the genitals).

Others- Most other types of STD's require a little more to transfer them from one person to another. It should be noted that that isn't a guarantee though and that you should be careful when touching as well as with other activities.

Lots and lots of people believe that there is no risk in oral sex. After all, you either spit or swallow any fluids and it goes into your stomach, where you are safe...right? This just isn't the case. Oral sex offers a lot of risk for STD transfer. There are a wide range of STD's that can get transferred from one person to another during oral sex.

Giving Oral Sex to a Woman- The least risk is giving oral sex to a woman. You can get herpes from a woman this way. However, that is the only known STD that you can get by "going down" on a woman.

A Woman Receiving Oral Sex- Often we think there is no risk whatsoever in the receiving end of oral sex, however that isn't the case. Women can get herpes from having someone else performing oral sex on them as well.

Giving Oral Sex to a Man- Giving oral sex to a man is a much riskier. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis A, Herpes, Human Papilloma Virus, and Syphilis are all STD's that you can get by giving oral sex to a man. There is also some risk of HIV if you have any sores or cuts in your mouth. Spitting or swallowing the semen doesn't change your risks, but whatever you do you should get the fluid out of your mouth and throat as fast as possible. There is still risk even if he doesn't ejaculate in your mouth, but the risk is a little less.

A Man Recieving Oral Sex- A man getting a "blow job" is also at risk. He can get Chlamydia, gonorrhea, NGU, Herpes, and Syphilis.

Some couples decide to do anal sex because it has no pregnancy risks. However, the risks of spreading STD's is much greater when having unprotected anal sex then any other sexual activity. Most STD's are easily spread through unprotected anal sex and this should be taken into consideration when choosing sexual activities and protection.

As mentioned earlier the only "safe" sex is that that doesn't happen. However, you can protect yourself as much as possible. How far you take that is up to you, but you should take into consideration the possibilities of pregnancy and STD's when deciding what you will do and how you will do it.

Touching- While touching doesn't carry near as much risk as any other sexual activity there are a few ways you can protect yourself farther if you feel the need. First it is always a good idea to wash your hands before hand. Don't touch your genitals after touching your partners. Don't touch your face after touching your partner's genitals and finish by washing your hands really well.

Oral sex- Condoms can be used on a man to significant lower the risk of STD transmission during oral sex. Plastic wrap or dental dams can significantly lower the risks of oral on a woman. Herpes can still be transmitted if it is in an area not covered by one or the other.

Intercourse- Condoms are the best option for preventing STD transmission during intercourse. It is also a good idea to use a hormone based birth control if you are wanting to avoid all risks of pregnancy.

Anal Sex- It is important that you use condoms during anal sex which is really risky for STD's. This is your best protection.

Keep it all clean- It is also a good idea to make sure that you are cleaned up afterward and that you aren't mixing fluids. The less fluids that mix the less risk there is for STD's and pregnancy.

The safest sex is abstinence. Then comes that in a marriage that is committed and monogamous. When these aren't options, being armed with facts is a good thing. It is also a good idea to have the things needed for the safest sex possible available to you. Stay safe and remember "safe" sex is only "safer" sex.