Safe sex: What you absolutely need to know about protection against sexually transmitted diseases

The phrase "safer sex" was first coined in the course of HIV prevention measures in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Here, the topic of safer sex revolved exclusively around prevention and protection against infection with the dangerous HIV virus. A few years later, the topic of safe sex was expanded to include general prevention and protection against infection with sexually transmitted infections (STI). Safety during sex includes all measures taken to prevent sexually transmitted infections. These measures are intended to prevent the penetration of body fluids such as sperm, blood, but also saliva into the vagina of the woman, the anus or the penis of the man.

What do I need to protect myself from?

Many viruses, such as the HI-virus, which causes AIDS, hepatitis A and B and human papilloma viruses, are transmitted via infected body fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid and saliva.

HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a pathogen that attacks the immune system and is one of the most feared sexually transmitted diseases. The infection manifests itself after a few weeks and then breaks out in flu-like sympotms, with fever, joint pain, night sweats and exhaustion. This acute infection usually lasts 1-2 weeks, in rare cases up to 4 weeks. Gradually, the HIV viruses trigger the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS for short, in the body. Put simply, AIDS weakens the body's immune system and makes it almost impossible for the body to defend itself against other viruses, bacteria or fungi. If the HI virus is detected in time, there are good treatment options and the possibility of continuing to lead a largely normal life is relatively high.

No transmission during oral sex

It is transmitted through sexual intercourse, as the sperm, vaginal and intestinal fluids contain a particularly high concentration of HIV viruses. In addition, the mucous membranes in the vagina, intestine and cervix are very sensitive and, like the urethra or the inside of the foreskin, can absorb HIV very easily and, unlike uninjured skin, do not form any protection against the viruses. In contrast to sex, oral sex is almost safe. The amount of viruses in saliva, tears, sweat, urine or faeces is not sufficient for infection. The uninjured mucous membrane of the mouth has a natural, very strong protection, so that an infection by HIV during oral sex is impossible, as long as there are no injuries in the mouth.

There is no infection by HIV when kissing, coughing or sneezing, going to the toilet, living or working together.

Safe Sex here!

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis is a viral disease of the liver, the most commonly transmitted sexual disease in Germany. The symptoms are very similar in both types, such as fatigue, abdominal and joint pain, vomiting and the typical yellowing of the skin and eyes, which has also made hepatitis known as "jaundice". Most of the time, these two sexually transmitted diseases run an acute course and are cured in a few weeks to months and rarely become chronic. Once you have contracted it, you have lifelong immune protection against this hepatitis. STDs are transmitted through vaginal, oral or even anal intercourse. Again, there is no infection through kissing, sneezing or coughing. In contrast to HIV, you can be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. In most cases, this is already done as part of the vaccination process. In most cases, this has already been done as part of the preventive medical check-ups as a child and you have lifelong protection. If this is not the case, you can still get vaccinated against hepatitis in adulthood.

HPV

Human papilloma viruses, HPV for short, infect the epithelial cells of the skin, which then lead to tumour formation. Most people will probably be familiar with the effects of the virus under genital warts, genital warts or viral warts of the mucous membrane. These tumours are usually benign and annoying, but not harmful. Worse are tumours caused by HPV, such as cervical cancer or white skin cancer. HPV is usually transmitted through unprotected sex, but also through sharing a razor, the same toothbrush or unprotected oral sex. A vaccination against HPV has been available for some years and is recommended in adolescence, both for girls and boys, but you can also be vaccinated against it in adulthood.

Sexual transmitted diseases (bacteria)

The list of sexually transmitted diseases is long, but you have certainly heard of gonorrhoea, chlamydia or syphilis. Again, transmission occurs through vaginal, anal and oral sexual contact, but also through shared sex toys. All three STIs are triggered by bacteria. Again, transmission of STIs does not occur through kissing or physical proximity. These contagious STIs can be treated very well with an antibiotic and usually heal completely if they have been treated. Without treatment, they can lead to serious consequences. Often, there are no symptoms of contagious STIs. If symptoms do occur, they are manifested by severe itching, increased discharge and skin changes on the genitals and in the anal area. Have yourself and your sexual partner checked regularly for transmissible STIs.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be something desirable and great. However, when we talk about safe sex, unwanted pregnancy is also something you should protect yourself from. A woman ovulates in the middle of her cycle, on average on the 14th day after the start of her period. On this day, the woman's egg can be fertilised between 12-24 hours. However, this does not mean that you only need to protect yourself on this day, because sperm can survive up to 5 days in the uterus under ideal conditions.

Safer sex and the contraceptives that guarantee it

Contraceptive methods are divided into contraception for women and contraception for men. They can also be divided into various subcategories, such as mechanical (barrier) contraceptives, which block the sperm from entering the uterus; hormonal contraceptives, which are administered to the female body to influence the menstrual cycle; chemical contraceptives, which kill the sperm and surgical contraceptives, such as sterilisation.

Contraceptives for him

The condom

The first thing you've probably thought of is the condom, and you're right! The condom is the only effective protection against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy. Having safe sex without a condom is like driving a car without a seatbelt- you can do it and it can go well, but in case of an accident the damage is huge. The probability of getting pregnant despite using a condom is about 2-12 women out of 100, who got pregnant within a year of using a condom, however, it is rarely a material defect but the incorrect use of the condom.  It is important in safe contraception with condoms that the condom fits properly. It is best to know what size condom you or your partner need. If the condoms are too small, they tear quickly; if the condom is too tight, it hinders blood flow to the penis. Condoms that are too big slip off easily, get stuck or the intensity of the act is lost. The best thing to do is to use a condom size table.

 

Condom size

• 9.6 - 10.2 cm circumference: width of 47 mm
• 10.2 - 10.8 cm circumference: width of 49 mm
• 10.8 - 11.4 cm circumference: width 52 mm
• 11.0 - 11.6 cm circumference: width of 53 mm
• 11.4 - 12.0 cm circumference: width 54 mm
• 11.6 - 12.2 cm circumference: width of 55 mm
• 11.8 - 12.4 cm circumference: width of 56 mm
• 12.0 - 12.6 cm circumference: width of 57 mm
• 12.2 - 12.8 cm circumference: width of 58 mm
• 12.6 - 13.2 cm circumference: width of 60 mm
• 13.2 - 13.8 cm circumference: width of 64 mm
• 13.8 - 14.4 cm circumference: width of 69 mm To the top Escort Girls

Not only the size is important for safe sex, but also the correct use of the condom. For example, it is important that the condom is really pulled over the penis as described in the package insert. For beginners, it is advisable to practise putting on and taking off the condom.

Condoms offer a colourful and varied range. Not only are they available in different sizes and from different brands, but also nubby condoms, condoms in different flavours, such as strawberry, banana or vanilla, which are particularly suitable for oral sex. There are condoms that are particularly thin so that the intensity for the man is not disturbed and he has a great experience despite the condom. Condoms with anaesthetics should be used with caution, as they can numb the genitals locally in such a way that any injuries are not felt.  To comply with the rules of safe sex, it is important to use a new condom for each sexual partner and each sexual act. Do not use one condom for two women, just as you must change condoms when you switch from anal to oral or vaginal intercourse.  If you have a latex allergy, you can already buy latex-free condoms from the big name manufacturers. Although the contraceptives are made of natural rubber, the animal product casein, is used as a binding agent during production. Therefore, there is also an alternative for vegans that is produced without animal products. The vegan condom is currently offered by 4 manufacturers. 

The spray condom is currently in the development phase. It is sprayed onto the stiff penis and is supposed to form a latex layer over the penis after a few seconds drying time and protect like a "normal" condom. However, the spray condom is not yet available in stores.

 

Coitus Interruptus

The alternative to the condom is coitos interruptus. It is a natural contraceptive method in which the man withdraws his penis from the woman before ejaculation. The Perl index for this method is 4-22 women have become pregnant through this natural contraceptive method. This high number results from the fact that even if the method is used perfectly, sperm already come out of the penis before ejaculation. Safe sex is not practised by this contraception and is therefore intended exclusively for pregnancy prevention.

Versalgel

The so-called "Versalgel" is also on the verge of a breakthrough for male contraception. This gel is injected into the vas deferens by a doctor. This hydrogel forms a barrier for the sperm and allows seminal fluids to pass through, but not sperm and it is supposed to last about 1 year. If you want to have a child within this time, the doctor injects a medicine that dissolves this hydrogel. However, the Versalgel is only used for contraception and not for safe sex, as it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Contraceptive for her

Femidom

Besides the condom, the female counterpart, the femidom, is the only way for women to protect themselves during sexual intercourse against both unwanted pregnancy and transmissible STIs. Femidom is derived from the names Femi (feminine, which stands for female) and the ending (dom, which alludes to the condom). It is therefore the condom for women. The female condom is also made of rubber and has two rings. The closed ring is inserted into the woman's vagina and the other ring is outside the labia majora. The advantage is that the female condom can be used 10 hours before sexual intercourse and is independent of the stiffness of the penis. According to the Perl Index, for every 100 women who have used the femidom for a year, between 5-25 women become pregnant and it therefore has worse pregnancy protection than the classic condom, but as with the condom, the high pregnancy rate is due to incorrect use.

 

 

Diaphragm/cervical cap and spermicide gel

Neither of these contraceptives are suitable for safe sex and do not protect against diseases, but they do protect against unwanted pregnancy. They are similar in use and are placed in front of the cervix so that the sperm cannot penetrate further. Neither is suitable as a sole contraceptive and both have a Perl index of up to 20. If the diaphragm or the cervical cap are used together with a chemical spermicide that kills the sperm or vaginal suppositories or gels that increase the acidity of the cervix, the sperm will not be protected. If the diaphragm or the suppository are used together with a chemical spermicide that kills the sperm or with vaginal suppositories or gels that change the acid balance of the vagina and this slow down the sperm, the value on the Perl index drops to 1-8. Neither the cervical cap, the diaphragm nor spermicidal gels prevent the transmission of sexual diseases and are therefore only suitable means of contraception and not suitable for safe sex. In the case of gels, suppositories and other non-hormonal chemical contraceptives, you should refrain from using a condom or read the package leaflet carefully beforehand. Some of these substances make the rubber porous and crack.

Contraception without hormones, with copper

Just like hormonal contraception, the copper chain and the copper coil do not offer any protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Both implants are inserted into the woman's uterus by a gynaecologist. The copper ions in both preparations inhibit the mobility and agility of the sperm, and the copper ions also cause the lining of the uterus to build up and thicken, so that any fertilised egg cannot implant. Both hormone-free contraceptives can remain effective for up to 3 years. The Perl index of the copper chain is 0.1 - 0.5 and that of the copper IUD is somewhat higher at 0.4 - 1.5.

Birth control pill, 3-month injection, implant and everything that belongs to hormonal contraception

The safest contraceptives are definitely hormonal contraceptives, but none of them protects against STIs and a condom/femidom would be indispensable for safer sex. All of the aforementioned contraceptives that protect against the transmission of STIs are available over-the-counter in drugstores, pharmacies, erotic shops and sometimes also in supermarkets. With hormonal contraceptives, the woman cannot avoid a visit to the gynaecologist. Usually a prescription from a gynaecologist is needed, or the gynaecologist sets/applies the contraceptives himself. 
Hormonal contraceptives suppress a woman's ovulation with the hormones oestrogen and/or progestogen. Depending on the type of pill, the hormones are available as single hormones or as a combined preparation. The pill is usually taken by the woman for 21 days at a time, with a 7-day break. During these 7 days, the woman gets her period and is still protected. The pill, or contraceptive pill, must be taken at the same time every day. Large fluctuations in time, vomiting, diarrhoea or even antibiotics can cancel out the effect of the contraceptive pill. The effect of the pill is between 0.1-0.9 on the Pearl Index.

The hormone patch, as already mentioned in the name, releases hormones via a patch. The woman applies a new patch every 7 days. After the third patch, she takes a break for 7 days, during which she menstruates. The safety of the patch is the same as that of a pill. The hormone implant and the three-month injection also have the same effect as the contraceptive pill. They prevent ovulation. The implant is placed in the upper arm by the doctor and remains there for up to 3 years. The hormone injection, as the name suggests, is injected by a doctor every 2 months and prevents both ovulation and the implantation of a possibly fertilised egg in the lining of the uterus. The Perl index of both contraceptive methods is 0 - 0.8.

 

Contraception without a condom and without hormones or implants

A number of pure contraceptive methods are available to avoid pregnancy that are neither expensive nor hormonally stressful, nor do they interfere with a woman's natural structure. We are talking about methods such as taking the temperature, the Billings method, in which the change in the woman's cervical mucus gives an indication of the fertile days, or the sympothermal method, in which both methods come together. These methods are not useful for contraception, they rather serve to find the right time for fertilisation in order to get pregnant in a planned way. The Perl Index for all 3 methods is up to 35 and therefore represents the most unsafe contraception of the methods of contraception mentioned by us and offers no protection against transmissible sexual diseases!

Contraceptives for both

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP)

This is a drug that is taken long-term as a prophylaxis against the spread of HIV in the body. This drug was originally used to treat Adis patients and has also been a suitable prophylactic drug for some years. This drug protects against HIV infection just as reliably as a condom, but it only protects against this infection and not against other STIs, which makes it safe with regard to AIDS, but it is not one of the drugs that make sex safe.

Dental Dam

A contraceptive that is not suitable for preventing pregnancy, but is a good tool when it comes to safe sex, is the dental dam or oral dam. It protects against infectious diseases such as hepatitis, HIV and HPV by providing a barrier. It is made of a thin latex film similar to the material of a condom. It is placed over the anus, vulva, clitoris or penis during oral sex. Oral dams come in different sizes, colours and also flavours. As with condoms, there are thin latex-free alternatives for people with allergies. You can also make your own dental dam by cutting up a condom. You should refrain from using commercially available cling film, as there is no adequate test to determine how permeable this film is to viruses and bacteria.

7 Safer Sex Rules

1. Hygiene regulations: Not only transmittable STIs play a role in "safe sex", but the general transmission of diseases. Thus, all sexual partners should wash their hands thoroughly before having intercourse and, if necessary, take a shower beforehand.

2. Use contraceptives only once: condoms, femidoms and lick wipes are intended and suitable for single use only. Single use also means that you do not turn these contraceptives over. It is also important that she does not use her sex protection for anal, oral and vaginal, but that she changes the cover every time, as well as when she changes sex partners.

3. Cleaning sex toys after each use: Clean your used sex toy each time before you use it again. If you have used the dildo for anal satisfaction, it must be cleaned before vaginal use. The same applies to any other sex toy. Clean it with a neutral soap and warm water. Common household disinfectants are not suitable for cleaning because they attack the material. The best thing is to clean your toy before each use and also after use, so you can ensure that no germs, or even dust and dirt deposits stick to your toy. Of course, you can also put lubricant-free condoms over the toy. Caution. Lubricant can attack the structure of the toy, so use both lubricant-free condoms and only use lubricant that is approved for toys.

4. Refresh vaccinations: Some vaccinations for the above diseases need to be refreshed in adulthood if needed. Have your doctor check your immune status regarding these diseases.

5. Regular checks at the doctor's for sexually transmitted diseases: don't be falsely shy, visit a doctor regularly to be checked for sexually transmitted diseases. If you notice any changes in or around the genital area, see a doctor right away.

6. Disclose an infection to your sexual partner: It is wrong to be ashamed of anything here and put the other person at risk because of false charm.

7. Use protective aids: The use of protective devices, such as condoms, femidoms or lick cloths, which protect against infection from sexually transmitted diseases should be compulsory.  

Safersex and Escort

According to the Prostitution Protection Act, section 32, paragraph 1, "clients and customers of prostitutes as well as prostitutes must ensure that condoms are used during sexual intercourse". The law protects both clients, prostitutes and third parties. The escort business falls under the protection of this law. The escort ladies at BB Escort have condoms and suitable lubricant with them on each of their dates. If the guest wants other contraceptive methods such as the condom for the woman, or even the dental damm, it is important to discuss this with the agency before the date, so that the lady has enough time to adjust to the special wishes of the customer.
The ladies at BB-Escort adhere to the above safersex rules, come freshly showered and have themselves examined regularly.

Bondage

What do men really like?

Most mistakes men make in bed