Over 1 million people get curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) every day. Around 1.2 million people acquired HIV in 2023, causing more than 6.3 lakh deaths. Every year, lakhs of pregnant women are infected with syphilis, leading to adverse birth outcomes. Whether vaginal or oral, sexual contact can spread over 30 different types of bacteria, parasites, and viruses, many of which can even be transmitted from a mother to an infant. And the only way to prevent these infections is awareness.
Sex is something that people often fantasize about & plays a significant role in our overall well-being. Some view it as a means to produce children while others enjoy it as a source of pleasure – no matter what, unprotected sexual practices lead to stigmatization, cancers, and increased risk of HIV. Therefore, having the right knowledge is indispensable for healthier connections, improved mental & emotional stability, and healthier sex life.
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Why Do Adults Have Sex?
Historically, sex has been seen as a means for reproduction & pleasure, but studies suggest the reason behind it is varied and much more psychologically complex. Motivation behind sexual activity can vary from person to person depending on their mental state. They may have following reasons:
- Physical Reasons: Experiencing pleasure, reducing stress, desirability, etc.
- Goal Attainment: Some people have sex with practical goals in mind, such as gaining resources or social status, reproducing, seeking revenge, or achieving some form of personal utility.
- Emotional Drive: Having sex is a way to express love & commitment. Sexual involvements help adults share togetherness and strengthen their love relationship which may lead to bearing an offspring.
- Insecurities: Boosting self-esteem, mate guarding, and duty or pressure can also be some reasons for some people to be involved in sexual activities.
- Biology: Testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone are three primary sex hormones in humans. While Testosterone is called a male hormone, women also produce it & need in a small amount. These hormones are responsible for determining sex drive (libido) in humans – Estrogen & progesterone in females and Testosterone in males.
- Maintain Existence: Sex is a nature’s path for any species to survive & prevent extinction. Therefore, sex is pleasurable. Otherwise, nobody would ever be involved in sexual activities, and we would have gone extinct quickly.
How to Have Safe & Healthy Sex?
Sex is natural to human beings and requires no teaching, we can do that instinctively like other animals. So, why do we need sex education? Well, sexual education is not about how to reproduce, but how not to reproduce. It’s about not putting your health at stake by indulging yourself in unsafe sexual activities. Therefore, understanding how to have safe & healthy sex is indispensable.
Safe sex is having sexual contact without putting participants at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unplanned pregnancy. It’s a way to prevent transfer of body fluids, including semen, vaginal fluids or blood. To do so, you need to use contraceptives, such as condoms & dental dams during oral sex. Also, make sure your partner and you get tested for STIs before being involved in any sexual activity. New partners come with new risks!
Proper Condom Usage
If you and your paramour is not planning to reproduce and want to stay away from the potential risks of unprotected sex, knowing how to use a condom properly is pivotal.
- Always use a new, lubricated condom or other barrier methods.
- Always check the expiry date & never use an expired condom or any other barrier methods. It’s because materials like latex or polyurethane, which condoms are made of, can weaken with time. It can reduce its effectiveness.
- Tear the packet of the condom very carefully, don’t use mouth or any sharp object. Condoms are thin and delicate, using your mouth or a sharp object may tear or puncture them.
- Use a condom from the very start to the end to ensure zero fluid transfer. It minimizes the risk associated with skin-to-skin contact or body fluid exposure.
- If you use any sex toy and share it with your partner, apply a condom over it. This will prevent cross contamination because sex toys can transfer bodily fluids & bacteria between the partners.
- Choose a condom with a water-based lubricant because oil-based lubricant tends to cause breakage.
- Condoms are for single use only, so never reuse them.
Additional Layer to Having Safer Sex
A recent study conducted in Spain by Ballester, Orte, and the Youth and Inclusion Network concludes that many teenagers and adults are misled by porn where women are often treated as toys. This causes many men to treat women disrespectfully, worsening their relationship with their partners and increasing violence against women. A healthy and safe sex requires a consent from both the participants. There must be adequate knowledge and mutual understanding between partners about using contraceptives and planning for the future kids. They must be open to discussing their sexuality with the partner and consult a sexologist whenever required. What else you should be doing to ensure safer sex include:
- Limiting your number of sexual partners.
- If you or your paramour have STIs, avoid sexual contact until it’s treated.
- If you feel you’re uncomfortable or being pressurized to have sex, speak up.
- Avoid indulging in a sexual activity if you’re affected by alcohol or drugs.
- Reach out to a sexologist or a doctor as soon as possible if you feel you have STIs or have unsafe sex within 120 hours (4 days).
Myths & Misconception About Sex
Teenagers are found to be naturally more curious about sex, but unfortunately, there’s limited reliable knowledge is available. Families & teachers barely discuss the topic openly, leading to spread of sex-related myths & misconception that must be addressed & corrected. Let’s look at some common myths or misconception about sex.
Myth: Contraceptives Are 100% Effective
Condoms, birth control pills, and other contraceptive methods can greatly reduce the risk for STDs & pregnancy, but they are not 100% foolproof.
Myth: Pulling Out Before Ejaculation is Safe
Ejaculation is the climax part of a sexual connection, before that both men & women secrete fluids during arousal. The exchange of these fluids can be the reason for sexually transmitted infections and might cause pregnancy.
Myth: Any Bodily Fluid Can Transmit HIV
Not all body fluids carry HIV infection; it can be transmitted through only semen, blood, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. No other bodily fluids can spread this disease, including saliva, tears, urine, etc.
Myth: Nightfall Leads to Decreased Sexual Function
Nightfall, also known as nocturnal emission, occurs in males during adolescence and young adulthood. It’s the body’s natural process to release semen during sleep due to stimulation caused by sexual dreams. It’s utterly normal & a healthy phenomenon and doesn’t determine sexual function of an individual.
Many people think that nightfall occurs when the testicles are “filled with semen and don’t have enough space,” which is completely incorrect. Testicles continuously produce sperms, but they never fill up in a way that forces an emission.
If a person is not sexually active and experiences nightfall, it shouldn’t be considered harmful. It’s the body’s natural functioning and just a part of growing up.
Myth: Oral Sex is Safe
Oral sex doesn’t cause pregnancy, but it can transmit sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, using a condom or dental dam is recommended.
Myth: STIs Present Symptoms
It’s true that people can observe symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, but not always. In many cases, only testing can tell whether a person has an STI or not.
Sexual Malpractices
A dearth of knowledge & an urge to experience sexuality often leads one to malpractices, such as premature exposure & addiction to pornography, masturbation, reckless sexual behavior, and ignoring medical advice.
There have been some cases where people were found strangulating their penis in order to experience pleasure, which is disastrous. This often causes severe injuries and may lead to penile amputation, sepsis, and even death.
Another sexual behavior is masturbation, which is considered healthy unless it’s a response to a porn addiction. It has been observed that many young adults easily get addicted to masturbation, deteriorating their physical as well as mental health. They keep saying to themselves that it’s going to be their last time, but the last time never comes. It becomes a never-ending cycle, where they keep oscillating between masturbation and guilt, constantly shifting from momentary relief to feelings of shame & guilt, unable to break free from the emotional loop.
Malpractices can be the biggest reasons for worsening a person’s sexual performance & overall health, making it indispensable for everyone to refrain from them.
Masturbation – Detrimental to Your Overall Health
People often argue that masturbation is good to cope with stress or anxiety, improve sleep, focus better, and boost mood. It even promotes heart health & overall relaxation. However, they often forget to address the long-term impact it causes on the body. Masturbation is the primary cause for pre-mature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and weakness. But how?
The concerns associated with masturbation arise more from frequency and dependency than the act itself. It’s the addiction that’s detrimental which can lead to issues such as premature ejaculation, as it conditions the body for quick release, potentially affecting sexual performance.
Excessive pornography use can create unrealistic expectations, reduce intimacy, and mimic addictive sexual behaviors. It can disrupt daily life. Extreme cases, such as those in solitary confinement (e.g., as described in the book “Papillon”), highlight how compulsive masturbation under poor conditions (lack of sunlight, nutrition, and stimulation) can lead to physical and mental deterioration. However, for most individuals with a balanced lifestyle and sufficient nutrients, masturbating once in a while seems fine if not beneficial.
How Masturbation is Different from Having Sex
Remember, there’s a huge difference between having sex and masturbating. When a man indulges in a sexual activity, the body’s movement engages & contracts the pelvic muscle in response to movement, arousal, and orgasm. On the other hand, masturbation involves the movement of the hand & low muscle contraction, affecting the pelvic muscles to a lesser extent.
How to Maintain Sexual Health
Avoiding sexual malpractices and engaging in healthy habits can improve your sexual health and contribute to a more fulfilling & enjoyable life. Here are some tips:
- Do Pelvic Floor Exercises: If you do Kegel exercises, they will strengthen your pelvic muscle which is responsible for supporting bladder & improving control during intercourse.
- Keep Your Sexual Organs Clean: Maintaining proper hygiene can help you prevent infections and ensure overall sexual health. Clean genital areas reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other complications.
- Eat Healthy: A balanced diet supports adequate hormone production, contributing to a healthy libido and sexual performance.
- Take Care of Your Mental Health: Stress, anxiety, and depression can significantly affect libido and sexual performance. Taking care of your mental well-being is pivotal for a positive sexual experience.
- See a Sexologist When Needed: Always remember – experts know better. They can provide you with the right guidance or medication when needed.
Conclusion
Since 2010, the rate of HIV infection has reduced by 39%, reflecting the great impact of sex education. Still, most of us don’t feel comfortable talking about sex, which maybe because of a lack of good sex education, guilt or shame, unavailability of shared vocabulary about sex, and so forth. In many cultures, discussing sex openly is considered taboo and socially unacceptable – which needs to be broken.
On the other hand, in some religions and cultures, sex is regarded as a sacred force and even worshipped. It is considered the union of male & female deities, symbolizing the cosmic balance and creation. It embraces the divine connection between the human body, mind, and soul. Therefore, having adequate knowledge about sexuality is pivotal for not only empowering the population to make prudent choices but also living a fulfilled life.
This will not only decrease the spread of STDs but also help us build more meaningful & stronger intimate relationships. Stay Smart, Stay Healthy!
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