Back off! Don't let people shame you into wearing condoms

I think we can all agree that sex is a good time. Sex is also exciting but more on point sex is risky. So, today we are going to talk about safer sex practices but not in the normal sense. If I am anything, I am permissive. When I hear sex educators berate us with horror stories and crazy images in an attempt to get us to wrap it up, it makes me cringe. Sure STIs are a major problem, and people’s blasé attitudes toward safer sex are more than a bit irresponsible, but there is a better way to broach the topic.

I have sat through no less than twenty-two safer sex lectures in my life’s tenure. Each of them sharing the most explosive images of monster infected genitalia they could find. None of these scare tactics have ever dissuaded me from choosing which risks I am willing to take. I’m willing to bet that some off you share my same, or similar, outlook. So we are going to go away from the blue waffles of the world and into the practicality of everyday safer sex.

Before we go any further I am going to clearly state that it is my personal belief that when there is penetrative sex (excluding oral) you should WRAP THAT SHIT UP, the first time and every time. However, I know that sometimes things happen or the condom is forgotten, broken, or old. There are times when getting that nut seems like the only mission in life. So if you find yourself in this situation and you and your partner(s) are willing to accept all the risks (HIV, Chlamydia, HPV, pregnancy, bacterial infection, gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes) then go for it. However, if the idea of any of those risks makes you uneasy you need to stop. Cool off and settle for mutual handies.

Accepting the risk of contracting an STI is one that cannot be taken lightly. If you are not in a financial position to take care of the consequences, stop. If you are not in the mental position to handle the consequences, stop. If you have the conscious thought to even consider these things then you should be able to take two minutes and run down the hall to borrow a condom from a friend.

Not using safer sex practices is a decision where the consequences should be on the shoulders of you and your consenting partner(s) only. Your parents should not be footing the bill, nor should you be seeking government assistance. That being said, if you do make a mistake do not wait to get it fixed by whatever means you have available. Don’t ever be ashamed of the decisions you’ve made. Learn your lessons, take your lumps and handle it with dignity.

Just like with everything else in life, making a decision of what risks you are willing to take is one you can’t make blindly. You need to be making these decisions with proper education.

If you think you know it all you don’t. Even I am willing to admit I don’t know it all. You may wonder why I have sat through twenty-two lectures on the same topic; it’s because things change, rapidly. The ebb and flow of infection rates differ annually, new drugs come out, new trials are performed and I want to keep up with all that’s happening.

Did you know that there are new strains of HIV that are not treatable with any medications we have available? Did you know that researchers are currently testing a HIV vaccine to protect us from ever catching it? Did you know that if you have PIV (penis in vagina sex) you probably already have HPV and/or Herpes? Did you know that cold sores and chicken pox are all forms of herpes? Did you know that, aside from the rouge incurable/untreatable infection strains, we have the required medicines to cure the bacterial infections and control the viral ones? Did you know that these are not always 100%? Did you know that college campuses are prone to pandemic outbreaks of STIs because people are having unprotected sex and swapping partners rapidly in semi-closed environments? Did you know that every public university in America gives you access to free condoms? Did you know that condoms come in over 20 different sizes, 1000’s of fit/pleasure variations, and 1000’s portability options? Did you know that our age group accounts for the majority of new syphilis cases?

Education is your best option for protecting yourself. The things you learn may be scary, but you shouldn’t shy away. The things you learn may confidence building, but you shouldn’t be arrogant. STIs are not prejudiced, they do not care who you are. Their mission in life is to procreate and your uninfected tender nubile body is prime real estate for them.

In this world we have to protect ourselves, always. Your partner should care for you and your health, but that will not always be true. Making an educated, responsible decision on how risky you will allow your sex to be is a must. Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into situations that you don’t want to be in. Using your own thoughtful and fully considerate guidelines you can never make a wrong decision.

Just don’t be stupid.

For information on STIs, risk and protection go here, for a personal experience story about contracting a STI go here.