There is no denying the fact that practicing safe sex is extremely important. It not only provides protection against various sexually transmitted diseases (like HIV) but also prevents unwanted pregnancy. In fact, even if you use a different kind of protection, many experts still recommend using condoms as they may greatly reduce the risk of HIV and STD transmissions.
Are there any other methods?
Sadly, a lot of people believe that contraception methods like douching (washing the vagina) and pulling out (also known as withdrawal) can prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies.
The douching method
The word ‘douche’ actually means ‘shower’ in French. It is a procedure of washing the insides of your delicate bits with water or water mixed with vinegar and other fluids. While women may claim that douching makes them feel cleaner, medical experts do not support this process at all.
Douches are usually sold in drugstores and are used to squirt the liquid upwards through a tube or a nozzle. The water then comes back through the vagina. Douching may cause potential harm to your vagina and lead to vaginal infections and even PID (pelvic inflammatory disease).
The pull out method
This is exactly as it sounds. To consider it successful, a guy needs to pull out his penis from the vagina in time, before ejaculating. It is done to minimize the risk of sperm entering the vagina and prevent unintended pregnancy. However, the withdrawal method not only requires greater self-control and correct prediction of the time of ejaculation, but it is also pretty unreliable. Even if the guy manages to pull out in time, without releasing any sperms, there is quite a lot of pre-cum hanging around which may still cause pregnancy.
Hence, even if a man correctly ‘pulls out’, some sperms may have already been released before ejaculation, rendering this method ineffective.
Is it possible to have safe sex without condoms?
It is important to understand that condoms are actually the only form of contraception which can provide greater protection against unintended pregnancy and STDs. This is because it provides a physical barrier between the sperms and vagina.
Condoms can be fun too!
Just because you are using a condom, it does not necessarily mean that your ‘sexy times’ have to be any less pleasurable or wild. For increased sensation down there, you can opt for condoms that come in various textures, flavours and even shapes. When you use them as a form of contraception, it takes the worries off of your head and helps you fully concentrate on having the time of your life.
The bottom line
It is safe to say that condoms work better than other falsely popularised methods of birth control. While no method is completely effective (except celibacy of course), it is always a good idea to use condoms as extra layer protection even if you are already on other forms of birth control methods.
We suggest steering clear from controversial methods like douching and withdrawal altogether as an alternative to safe sex. Do keep in mind that it is of utmost importance that condoms are put on properly for them to be effective.