Safe Sex – Talking with your partner

Safe Sex - Talking with your partner

Talking with your partner about safe sex and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is hard. But if you don’t have the conversation now, you could be having a much harder one later.

Talking is an important first step to practicing safe sex. It’s smart to be concerned about STDs and HIV/AIDS. Communicating is the first step in building your confidence and self esteem; it gives you a chance to protect yourself and your partner from HIV and other STDs. Talking and sharing responsibility for practicing safe sex can build trust between the two of you and allow for you to enjoy sex even more without worrying about contracting an STD or HIV/AIDS.

Talking about safe sex will be uncomfortable and stressful. It would be normal for you to be concerned about your partner’s reaction. But not talking increases your risk of contracting an STD or HIV/AIDS. You owe it to yourself to talk about safe sex.

Educate yourself before sitting down with you partner. Learn as much as you can.
The more you know about STDs and HIV/AIDS the easier it will be to talk about them and the more determined you will be to pratice safe sex. You may feel uncomfortable talking about intimate issues and embarrassed to talk about safe sex, but the risks outweigh any feelings of embarrassment you may have, knowing the risks are real and life threatening.

Plan how you want the conversation to go. Sort out your feelings and fears before you begin. Be clear in your mind’s eye on what you will and won’t do sexually. Be assertive. It’s your life and health you are discussing. Say what you want very clearly so there is no misunderstanding. It’s ok to set ground rules that benefit both you and your partner.

You can say something simple, such as ‘I need to talk to you about something important. I feel embarrassed but I think we need to talk about safe sex and using protection’.

You can say something to the effect; ‘I always use a condom’ or ‘I’d only have sex with someone who cares enough to use protection’.

Timing is important… Don’t wait until you are in the heat of the moment and ready to make love. Once you start talking it will get easier to communicate your needs. Your partner may even be relieved you brought it up.

Be yourself. Be open and honest about safe sex. The difference starts by when you make the choices that will affect the rest of your life. Be safe, protect your health, if your partner resists safe sex, you may need to think about the relationship. Do you really want to have sex with someone who doesn’t care about their health or yours?

Knowing that unprotected sex jeopardizes your health, your partner’s health and both of your futures; common sense tells you that the use of a condom is necessary. Condoms are inexpensive especially in comparison to the cost of treatment for STDs or HIV/AIDS.

What is Safe Sex?

• Don’t allow any of your partner’s body fluids to enter your body.
• Always use a condom every time you have sex, if not a male condom then use a female condom to prevent the transmission of STDs and HIV/AIDS.
• Don’t use oil-based lubricants. Hand creams, massage oil, Vaseline and other oil-based products can cause the condom to leak or break.
• Don’t have sex when you are drunk or high. Drinking or using drugs makes it harder to practice safe sex. Be aware of situations that can make it hard to practice safe sex. Be careful of romantic times when you don’t have a condom.
• Always be prepared and carry a condom and dental dam.

Condoms are a medical device used in the prevention of pregnancy and contracting STDs that will affect your future. Health education is the most effective approach to stop unwanted pregnancy and the spread of STDs.

Maxpro promotes a healthy tomorrow by providing educational information allowing people to make informed choices. Always use a condom every time you have sex, if not a male condom then use a female condom to prevent unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of STD's and HIV/AIDS. Pleasurable safe sex is an effective lifestyle choice used by many to bring about a happy and healthy future.

The best place to buy the best condoms. Buy Condoms online from the #1 provider of premium condoms designed for pleasure and safety.
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Articles & Resources:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Inform Yourself about STD's! Part II

Last week general information was given about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This week: How you get them and what you should be watching for (symptoms). Also information about the more common (STDs): Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, Genital Warts, Herpes and HIV/AIDS.

STDs are spread during unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex, and sometimes by genital touching (warts and herpes). Some STDs (HIV and hepatitis B) can be contracted by contact with infected blood (shared needles and cuts). Symptoms of STDs can be any of the following:

For Women and Men

• Sores, bumps or blisters near sex organs, rectum or mouth.
• Burning and pain when urinating or having a bowel movement.
• Need to urinate often.
• Itching around sex organs.
• A swelling or redness in throat.
• Flu-like feelings, with fever, chills and aches.
• Swelling in groin.

For Women

• Discharge or smell from vagina.
• Tenderness and/or pain in pelvic area.
• Burning or itching around vagina.
• Experience pain deep inside during sex.

For Men

• A drip or discharge from your penis.

Remember that many people with an STD do not have any symptoms but are still able to infect others. They may be unaware of their own status.

If you experience any of the above symptoms stop having sex. Get tested. Get treated! Inform sex partner(s) to seek treatment. Ask the doctor how long after treatment before sex can be resumed.

Chlamydia affects women and men, symptoms show up 7-28 days after having sex. The majority of women and some men have no symptoms. Women may experience vaginal discharge, burning during urination, or the infection may progress to pelvic inflammatory disease. Men may have painful urination, pain or inflammation in the testicles or rectum, and penile discharge. Both men and women may experience inflammation of the lining of the eye, but many have mild or no symptoms at all.

Most women and some men will show no symptoms of Gonorrhea. Symptoms usually appear within 2-10 days after sexual contact. Women may have thick yellow or gray discharge from the vagina, burning or pain when urinating or having a bowel movement, abnormal periods or bleeding between periods, cramps and pain in the lower abdomen. Men can experience thick yellow or greenish drip from the penis, burning pain when urinating or having a bowel movement, frequent need to urinate, swollen or tender testicles.

Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is an infection of the urethra caused by germs most often found in gonorrhea or Chlamydia. NGU can be transmitted with direct contact through vaginal, anal, and oral sex, even if body fluids are not exchanged.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause genital warts (in a minority of cases – HPV can lead to cancer of the cervix and anus in women or cancers of the anus and penis for men). There are over 200 different types of HPV most of which are harmless. About 40 types are spread through sexual contact; the symptoms show up 1-8 months after sexual contact. Many people with HPV have no symptoms.

Most genital herpes are caused by HSV-2. Symptoms show up 1-30 days or longer after having sex and some people have no symptoms; flu-like feelings, Small, painful blisters on the sex organs or mouth, itching or burning before the blisters appear which can last 1-3 weeks. Blisters go away, but you still have herpes. Blisters can come back.

Hepatitis B often goes undetected because many people experience no symptoms or only mild ones. The symptoms do not show up for one to nine months after contact with the virus. Flu-like feelings that do not go away, jaundice, and fatigue can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other problems.

Easily the most lethal STD: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the beginning infection that will cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Symptoms of infection can take several months to several years after contact with the infected blood. Unexplained weight loss, fatigue, flu-like feelings, diarrhea, white spots in the mouth, and incurable yeast infections are all symptoms of HIV/AIDS.

Syphilis has two stages of symptoms that become apparent after 1 and up to 12 weeks of having sex. Stage one: painless sore(s) on the mouth or sex organs that lasts 2-6 weeks. Sore(s) go away, but you still have the disease. Stage two: after your sore(s) heal you will have a rash and flu-like feelings. These symptoms will go away and you will still have syphilis.

Many of the STDs can remain undetected for such a length of time that one sexually active person can potentially infect several people before any symptoms are even apparent. And so on...

Know your status. Get tested.

Symptomatic or asymptomatic if you have been having unprotected sex, get tested! Look for an anonymous testing site in your area and get tested. This will protect your identity and your ability to be insured in the future. Most county health departments have special STD clinics.

All STD’s are serious and must be treated. Not all STD’s can be cured, but left untreated STD’s can have serious health consequences. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea left untreated can cause a serious infection of the reproductive organs (women and men) which can leave you unable to have children. Other STD’s can cause heart disease, liver damage, arthritis, brain damage, blindness and death.

Tell your sex partner(s). If left untreated the STD(s) can have a very serious physical and emotional impact on them. You risk becoming re-infected with the STD.

Next week's article will cover talking to your partner about safe sex and STDs.

Protect your status. Knowing that unprotected sex jeopardizes your health and your partner’s health and both of your futures; common sense tells you that the use of a condom is necessary. Condoms are inexpensive, especially in comparison to the cost of treatment for any of the above mentioned STDs.

Practice Safe Sex. Everytime you have sex use a condom.

Maxpro promotes a healthy tomorrow by providing educational information allowing people to make informed choices. Always use a condom every time you have sex, if not a male condom then use a female condom to prevent unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of STDs and HIV/AIDS. Pleasurable safe sex is an effective lifestyle choice used by many to bring about a happy and healthy future.

The best place to buy the best condoms. Buy Condoms online from the #1 provider of premium condoms designed for pleasure and safety.
Buy Condoms Online

Articles & Resources

Inform Yourself about STDs

Avoiding all scare tactics here is factual information about sexually transmitted disease(s) (STDs), what they are, how they are spread, how to avoid them and why you should be checking for them and getting treated.

This is going to be a mini series of articles. An overview of STD awareness: what you need to watch for, how to protect yourself, and why it is important to get checked and treated.

An STD is an infection that is transmitted during sex. It is an infection passed by the exchange of body fluids (semen, pre-ejaculate fluid, vaginal fluid and blood) while having unprotected oral, anal and/or vagina sex.

How serious are STDs? Many people with STDs experience no noticeable symptoms. You may contract a STD with no signs or symptoms and in some cases the symptoms may go away after a period of time. You must be treated by a health professional to stop the infection.

STDs such as Chlamydia, genital warts, HPV, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis infect the sexual and reproductive organs. Left unchecked these can have serious consequences; sterility, cancer, blindness and early death. Then we move on to the more deadly diagnosis of hepatitis B, HIV and AIDS. All of which while treatable will eventually cause an early demise.

All STDs can be treated. To get treated you must be tested first. We recommend that you search via google or any other search engine for an anonymous testing site in your area. This will protect your identity and your ability to be insured in the future. Most county health departments have special STD clinics. Many STDs can be treated with antibiotics. Be sure to follow the medical advice and adhere to the instructions on your prescriptions.

You must tell your sex partner(s). If left untreated the STD(s) can have a very serious physical and emotional impact on them. You risk becoming re-infected with the STD.

Knowing that unprotected sex jeopardizes your health,your partners health and both of your futures; common sense tells you that using a condom is smart. Condoms are inexpensive; especially in comparison to the cost of treatment for any of the above mentioned STDs.

Condoms are a medical device used in the prevention of pregnancy and contracting STDs. Maxpro promotes a healthy tomorrow by providing educational information allowing people to make informed choices. Always use a condom every time you have sex, if not a male condom then use a female condom to prevent unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of STDs and HIV/AIDS. Pleasurable safe sex is an effective lifestyle choice used by many to bring about a happy and healthy future.

The best place to buy the best condoms. Buy Condoms online from the #1 provider of premium condoms designed for pleasure and safety.
Buy Condoms Online

Articles & Resources
American Social Health
CDC

More details next week on "Inform Yourself about STDs"

Risks of Unsafe Sex!

The health risks associated with unsafe sex have increased.

The number of people contracting STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) is on the upswing. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDS are just a few of the STDs you are at risk for when you have unsafe sex.

What is the reason for this rise in transmissions?

People aren’t practicing safer sex. Straight, bisexual, and gay; it doesn’t seem to matter. Infection rates are on the rise in each group.

Why aren't people practicing safer sex? Ignorance, low self esteem and thinking it could never happen to you. And alot of the "not thinking with the head on your shoulders" or getting lost in the moment excuses. Possibly the reason could be that people are afraid to communicate with each other.

Unprotected sex (sex without a condom) is high risk sex. Unprotected sex refers to such acts as felatio, cunnilingus (both are oral sex), vaginal, and anal intercourse performed without a condom or dental dam. Kissing doesn’t count unless blood is involved (use mouth wash but do not brush before actively kissing). The bodily fluids that spread STDs & HIV/AIDS are semen, pre-ejaculate fluid, vaginal fluid, and blood.

There’s a risk during unprotected oral sex for males and females. During oral sex condoms and/or oral dams should be used by the active partner. The passive partner should also be aware because they are at risk during such activities as well.

Early withdrawal and the rhythm method are practiced by some as a form of contraception; it’s not considered safe sex. Sex without a barrier (condom or dental dam) is not safe sex.

Health risks associated with unsafe sex;

• Unwanted pregnancy.
• Venereal diseases; such as gonorrhea and syphilis.
• Sexually transmitted infections; such as herpes, pubic lice, viral warts, and chlamydia.
• HIV/AIDS.
• HPV which cause cancer of the cervix. Most men are carriers.

Untreated STDs can have serious long lasting consequences like sterility and lifelong scaring. Knowing that unprotected sex jeopardizes your health and your partner’s health and both of your futures; common sense tells you that the use of a condom is necessary.

Condoms are inexpensive especially in comparison to the cost of treatment for any of the above mentions STDs. Condoms are medical devices used in the prevention of contracting or transmitting diseases that will affect your future.

Health education is the most effective approach in getting the word out to all ages to practice safe sex and to stop unwanted pregnancy, the spread of STDs and HIV/AIDS.

Maxpro promotes a healthy tomorrow by providing educational information allowing people to make informed choices. Always use a condom every time you have sex, if not a male condom then use a female condom to prevent unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of STD's and HIV/AIDS. Pleasurable safe sex is an effective lifestyle choice used by many to bring about a happy and healthy future.

The best place to buy the best condoms. Buy Condoms online from the #1 provider of premium condoms designed for pleasure and safety.
Buy Condoms Online

Articles & Resources
Sexual Health Center
Safer Sex
CDC: STD’s Remain Unacceptably High

Words from Paul Liang the “Condom Man”

Paul Liang, COO of NRS International, a leading manufacturer and exporter of premium latex condoms.

NRS International produces high-quality latex condoms approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Standards Organization (ISO).

The primary focus for NRS is the production of high-quality premium latex condoms and other latex products. Paul Liang discusses global trends in condom industry standards and the importance of safe sex education.

“The importance of protection against STDs and HIV/AIDS has increased the demand for high-quality latex condoms.”

Millions of people around the world today still do not have access to modern methods of contraception. The driving force for growth in the condom industry continues to be the prevention of pregnancy, STDs and HIV/AIDS through the consistent use of condoms.
More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981. Condoms remain the sole method of protection against this disease, for people having sex.

Paul Liang believes that the improved condom quality standards and continuing to raise awareness about practicing safe sex is important for people’s health and the condom industry.

• Quality. Paul Liang reviews the three main tests that are performed in the manufacturing plant. 1) The water leakage test. If any leaks are found in the batch samples, the entire batch of condoms is rejected. 2) Air burst and elongation test. This is a destructive test performed to measure the elasticity and durability of the latex. Condoms are inflated until they burst, they must hold 18 liters. If the measurement is less than 18 liters the batch is rejected. Most condoms hold more. As for elongation, test standards are 700 to 800 times the normal size (this is measured during the air burst inflation test. 3) 100% electronic testing. If you look at the condom pack it always reads electronically tested. All NRS condoms undergo this non-destructive test; each condom is tested for thin spots and leakage. An electrical current detects holes and the machine will automatically reject the condom if any defects are found.
  


• Safety. Safe sex, also known as "safer sex," involves protecting yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STD’s). Use a barrier on any part of your body that might come into contact with your partner's bodily fluids. First and foremost, this means using a latex condom whenever you have vaginal, oral or anal intercourse. Condoms are the best way to avoid contracting and spreading most STDs.
  
  It's important to always use a condom and to use it correctly each time. Don't use the same condom twice--ever.



• Education. Paul Liang states, “We market condoms as a medical device. Gone are the days when they were used for fun, today we use condoms out of necessity. The educational programs in Europe have special equipment to replicate a penis. Students are shown properly how to roll the condom onto the unit that simulates a male erection…”
  How to put on a male condom. Paul Liang goes on to say “It’s all about education and awareness.”
  

Condoms are a medical device best used for preventative healthcare. Maxpro promotes a healthy tomorrow by providing high-quality latex condoms and educational information that allows people to make informed choices that will affect their future. Always use a condom every time you have sex, if not a male condom then use a female condom to prevent unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of STD's and HIV/AIDS.

Pleasurable safe sex is an effective lifestyle choice used by many to protect their happy and healthy future.

The best place to buy the best condoms. Buy Condoms online from the #1 provider of premium condoms designed for pleasure and safety.
Buy Condoms Online

Articles & Resources
Worldwide HIV & AIDS Statistics