Always remember that no means no
Sex is meant to feel good and be fun, but it can be risky if not treated with respect. Practicing safe sex means eliminating worries about transmitting STIs or dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Safe and consensual sex is sexy and will allow you and your partner to enjoy all the pleasures that come with it.
When entering into sexual relations with someone, the first thing you should do is talk about it. Always ask someone before you start touching them or engaging in intercourse. The asking process can be light, fun, and even sexy. Keeping it light-hearted will also help to make your partner comfortable.
Consent cannot be given in certain situations, specifically when alcohol is involved. Alcohol can often make people flirtatious, however that is not an open invitation for sex. Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol may no longer be able to give consent. At university, there will be plenty of opportunities to drink and enjoy outings with your friends. Treating one another with respect in these situations is vitally important. If you are out with your partner, be aware of how much each of you have had to drink, consent given earlier in the night is no longer valid once too much alcohol has been consumed.
The consent process is a two-way discussion. Once both people have said yes to having sex, the conversation does not stop there. The next step is to establish what contraception will be used. The safest approach is for both members of the relationship to use contraception. There are condoms for both males and females and birth control for women. Condoms are for mitigating the risk of a sexually transmitted infection being passed from one person to another. STIs are contracted through bodily fluids such as seminal, anal fluid, or blood. Infections can be acquired through sex and oral sex. The best way to eliminate risk of infection is to take the precautions necessary and ask your partner if they have been tested recently.
Condoms and other forms of contraception are also used for reducing the risk of an unplanned pregnancy. If you have unprotected sex or fear that the condom may have broken and pregnancy could be possible, you can use an emergency contraception like Plan B. Plan B can be bought at any pharmacy and is given for free at many women’s walk-in health clinics. Plan B can be used within five days of unprotected sex; the sooner you take it the better.
Sex should be enjoyable and it only gets better with practice. Sex with the same partner gets better over time as you get more comfortable with each other. You will also discover what makes you feel good and what your partner likes. Don’t be afraid to try new things and explore your sexuality. Expressing your sexuality in new ways can be fun for both you and your partner. Talk to your partner, make sure you both understand what each other wants. Sex with open communication and the right protection is sexy.