If you can remember our very first column last semester — it’s okay, we can barely think that far back either — you might remember that it focused on safer sex. We want to come full circle and address that topic again.
As a refresher, we use the term “safer” sex in this column, because a hundred percent “safe” sex doesn’t exist. Risk varies depending on each sexual partner’s behavior and personal history. But there definitely are measures you can take to ensure your sex is “safer”— like using a condom, getting regularly screened for STIs and talking to your partners about their sexual history.
If there’s one thing we want AU’s community to take away from a year of sex-positive advice, it’s that we should all be committed to safer sexual practices.
Practicing safer sex
We asked some students about lessons they’ve taken away from their sexual activity.
“Until my partner and I are monogamous, I always use a condom during intercourse,” a female senior in the College of Arts and Sciences said. “I’ll put on my partner’s condom as part of foreplay. You can incorporate it into a handjob or put it on with your mouth.”
However, safer practices in one area of sexual activity don’t always translate to all types of sexual activity.
“I have never practiced safe oral sex,” the CAS ’11 senior said. “When I was younger that seemed to be the activity of choice, and no one was safe about it. I couldn’t imagine asking someone to put a condom on for that.”
A female senior in the School of International Service told me she would prefer to skip the condom altogether.
“I’ve been having sex since I was 16 with the same partner, and we never use condoms,” she said. “I never liked them — they’re annoying. We used the pull out method.”
However, she noted the decision to forego condoms was not without its consequences.
“They may be annoying, but they’re cheaper than a baby,” she said. “The morning after pill and pregnancy tests are also expensive. I’ve had to buy both.”
Both seniors demonstrated responsible, safer sex practices by getting themselves screened for STIs.
“Everything was fine, and I’m so thankful that my risky behaviors turned out okay,” the CAS ’11 female said.
The SIS ’11 female learned she had contacted a strain of HPV. “It’s the typical ‘you have sex with everyone your partner’s had sex with’ story,” she said. “Even though he was my only sexual partner, it can still happen.”
Tools for safer sex
We know our sex lives aren’t always perfect — sometimes, safer practices require a learning curve. And what better way to keep learning than by getting free stuff?
A progressive adult retailer named Paris Intimates is partnering with colleges across the country for a safer sex campaign. Paris Intimates points out that, while condoms are effective for preventing pregnancy and STIs, the effectiveness rate drops for people in their first year of sexual activity. Check out Paris Intimates’ Facebook
and Twitter pages for more information on the campaign.
As a tool to raise awareness for safer sex, Paris Intimates is giving away 50 free sex kits to AU students. Don’t miss out! Start practicing safer sex today! E-mail us to claim your free sex kit, and the first lucky 50 respondents will win all the tools for a sexy, safer time. Seriously, don’t make us use all this lube ourselves.
sexwonks@theeagleonline.com
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