Andy Love explores the myths surrounding safe sex

I think it is important to touch upon this subject but with a different twist. As someone interested in sexual health, I have always sought out information on how to be able to have sex responsibly. Unfortunately, I have come across many publications and heard many people using the sentence ÔÇ£If you use a condom, youÔÇÖre fine.ÔÇØ I have managed to get in touch with Mr Joshua Hall, service manager for┬áTerrence Higgins Trust┬áCymru, to identify the truth behind some common misconceptions. IÔÇÖve compiled a few of the tips provided by Mr. Hall so you can become a smart arse or a clever dick!

• Lubricant: Condoms can break, and some of the usual causes are people not using the right lubrication ÔÇô when using latex condoms, ALWAYS go for water based lubes. Oil and petroleum based lubes can cause the condom latex to deteriorate.

• Oral sex is usually mentioned as safe ÔÇô however we must remember that ÔÇ£safeÔÇØ doesnÔÇÖt mean danger free. You can get treatable STIs from it, but they can also have very unpleasant symptoms ÔÇô some of those are Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Genital Herpes and Syphilis. A friend caught genital herpes and I helped him through it ÔÇô having cold sores on your genital area is not only painful, but your underwear also gets stuck to the open sores ÔÇô I say OUCH. You should also be careful if you do get semen in your mouth ÔÇô as if there are any cuts, open sores, abrasions or gum disease you are open to infection as it can enter your blood stream. TIP: Cling film is said to be very good for licking places! It can also be used with oil but CAREFUL WITH THOSE FINGERNAILS ÔÇô the film is easy to rip.

• Body Fluids: A lot of STIs (especially HIV) can be transmittable through the exchange of body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids, pre-cum or anal mucus) of an infected person to the blood stream of the partner. That can happen through that delicate skin of the penis, vagina, lining of the rectum and sometimes mouth/throat as they all have an absorbent mucous skin. Keep that sponge clean!

• Hygiene: Some people do not wash their hands after eating ÔÇô putting on a condom with greasy hands (after those chips or kebab on a night out! Ew!) can also deteriorate the latex.

• Contact: Avoid removing the condom from the packet until the penetration/oral sex stage (hold on hasty!) ÔÇô getting it out earlier and getting it in contact with saliva/skin can get it infected.

• Changing Condoms: Do NOT use the same condom when having vaginal/anal sex (and that tip works for butt to mouth too ÔÇô you don’t want to eat that condom! Ew²).

• ItÔÇÖs not a pancake, donÔÇÖt flip it!: If the condom was placed in the wrong way DO NOT flip it as you could get it infected through pre-cum┬áÔÇô throw that nasty away and get a new one!

• Expiry Date?: Guess what? If out of date ÔÇô they can break.

• The TOP TIP: Do NOT keep a condom in your wallet for more than a day. Rubbing against the body and sitting on your condom (no pun intended) will weaken the rubber. ItÔÇÖs okay if youÔÇÖre storing it in there for a night out, but remove it as soon as possible.

• Enjoy Sex Responsibly: One of the biggest issues with casual sex is the lack of information regarding the last person you slept with. Most STIs can be diagnosed within 3 weeks, but it is important to know who youÔÇÖve been sleeping with (including name, phone number/online profiles ÔÇô keep a tab!) for the past 6 months. Every person should get a sexual health check up from at LEAST every 6 to 12 months. In the case of infection, it is imperative to know who you might have got it from, so that person can be alerted and he/she can stop infecting other people.

• Testing?: Since there have been advances in medicine, some clinics can still offer you a blood exam to check for any sexual infections. However, some places, like the Terrence Higgings Trust, can offer a finger prick exam where you get the result on the same day.

• Word of Advice: Mr Halls said that unfortunately ÔÇ£SAFEÔÇØ sex is abstinence. Even masturbation can get you infected if you for example rub your eye after it (given that you have contracted something). That is not quite realistic for most of us young people, so the next best thing is to be responsible. It is far better to build relationships rather than having different sex partners as the more partners you have, the higher the chances of contracting an STI.

• Shy? For those feeling shy about facing a long supermarket queue with condoms in hand. Call Terrence Higgins Trust on 02920 666465 and register to get condoms sent by post.

• Took a risk?: Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is treatment for people who might have been exposed to a virus and could (potentially) prevent infection. It is the same course of pills taken by HIV patients and should be taken ideally within 24 hours, but no longer than 72 hours of exposure. It is not a morning after pill (you actually need to take them for 28 days ÔÇô and they’re BIG) and there can be side effects.
  More information: http://www.tht.org.uk/sexual-health/HIV-STIs/HIV-AIDS/Post-exposure-prophylaxis/Getting-PEP

• How to say thanks?: Donate to the Trust! It could help them help you in the future, and even other people in the Cardiff area.

• To sum it up: There is no real ÔÇ£SAFEÔÇØ sex, except abstinence, but we can have safer sex (having sex is taking a risk) by being responsible whilst enjoying the prime of our sexual lives. It’s important to remember that a mistake can last a lifetime. Building relationships rather than having lots of casual sex also seems to be an even safer way to keep your sexual health in check. Be informed and seek help when needed┬áÔÇô and donÔÇÖt forget that important check up every 6 months!

ÔÇ£So, Just remember, when you have sex with someone, you’re having sex with everyone they’ve ever had sex with. And everybody’s got a random.ÔÇØ Glee’s Holly Holiday

More information, donations and how to volunteer: http://www.tht.org.uk/