It can feel unsexy to think about sexually transmitted infections (or even unplanned pregnancy). 但, thinking about how safer sex practices align with your values or beliefs 或者如何 open 和 honest conversations brings more satisfaction to sexual activity or how you can 添加润滑油 to condoms for more pleasure can all help you make choices that are safer in you sexual life.

Abstinence is the practice of not engaging in sexual activity. Although, that can mean a lot of different things for different people. For some it only refers to vaginal sex, for others it refers to any form of sexual activity. For 禁欲 to be 100% effective at preventing STIs 和 pregnancy it must be done for all forms of sexual activity - all the time, 每一次.

Substances like alcohol 和 other drugs often reduce inhibitions 和 can lead to increased risk-taking. People become less likely to use 障碍的方法, more likely to engage in sexual activity with someone they don't know, 并可能导致更少 sexual desire 和 sexual response.

Lube is one of the easiest ways to make sex less painful 和 more pleasurable. It can help keep condoms from breaking (if it's not oil-based lube) 和 help prevent micro-tears in the vagina or anus which can be a place for sexually transmitted infections to enter the body. 看看这个很棒的 Buzzfeed列表 to learn more about lube.

交流是性感的. Clear 沟通 before 和 after sex not only makes the experience more pleasurable 和 satisfying for everyone involved it also helps keep everyone safe physically 和 emotionally. Not sure where to start or are afraid it will be embarrassing? 别担心! 斯佳丽有一些 的很有用的建议 为你. 或浏览我们的 Communication is Key page.

Barrier methods cover part of the genitals, protecting you 和 your partner from body fluids 和 some skin-to-skin contact, which can both spread STIs. Learn how to properly use 外部避孕套, 内部避孕套 和 牙科大坝 to help protect you 和 your partner(s). 你可以得到 free 外部避孕套 at GVSU, as well as 内部避孕套 和 牙科大坝 if you come visit the WIT cart around campus (locations posted on RecWell Instagram)!

Pregnancy tests are easy, accurate ways to find out if you or your partner is pregnant. They are usually inexpensive 和 can be found at many pharmacies 和 grocery stores. You can also get a pregnancy test at Kent County Health Department, Ottawa County Department of Public Health, GV Family Health Center 或者是 校园健康中心.

While not all birth control methods protect against STIs, they can help prevent unplanned or unintended pregnancy. 看看 床边.org to learn more about birth control methods. Talk to your health care provider, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health or Planned Parenthood in Gr和 Rapids to see which birth control option is best 为你.

Mutual masturbation can come with 感染性病的风险 because there can be contact with bodily fluids of the other person (vaginal fluids or semen). 但, solo masturbation is risk free 和 has some benefits as well: you can be more comfortable with your own body, it can relieve headache pain, 和 it can increase sexual self-esteem. 看看这个 101年手淫 了解更多信息!

If you use sex toys, whether alone or with a partner, it's important to clean them properly! Without doing so, toys can cause bacterial infections or sexually transmitted infections. Brown University has a 巨大的资源 on how to properly 清洁你的性玩具 depending on which material they are made from. 

Many people watch, read or look at porn. There's nothing inherently wrong with that. It's also not wrong to not approve of porn 和 not want to be exposed to it. Most people can use porn with few negative consequences. However, watching porn can also create 问题 like unrealistic expectations 和, with that, relationship dissatisfaction. 

If you are sexually active, getting tested for STIs is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health! There are many locations near campus that offer STI testing. 这里有一个 partnership with Ottawa County Department of Public Health to offer monthly testing on campus during the school year. Find out more about getting tested at GVSU.