What you should know before having sex
You’ve just started dating someone new. You’ve been out more than a few times, and you think you’re ready to get to the hot and heavy stage. Before the clothes start flying for the first time, here are some questions that you need to ask yourself and your new partner to protect your physical health.Is he or she the one for you? What is the wildest thing he’s ever done? How many sex partners has he had? Is he Passed HIV test?Knowing the answers to these questions can protect your health, preserve your sanity and may even save your life. So, before you open your heart, open your eyes and your ears and learn the truth behind the new man in your life. The truth works both ways, and if you ask the question, be prepared to answer it as well.
Women, you’ve thrown caution to the wind in the heat of passion and gave in to an obstinate partner’s reluctance to wear a condom.Or men, you simply took her word that she is free of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and that she has the test results to prove it–just not with her at the moment. Besides, she’s very selective about with whom she sleeps. All of her partners have been educated and, most important, were healthy-looking.
Knowing someone’s test results isn’t enough. "Even if your partner tested negative for HIV last week, it doesn’t mean he or she isn’t HIV positive," says Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, a psychologist specializing in HIV at New York University. "Most HIV tests can only detect the virus starting three to six months after infection—so you should ask about your partner’s sexual history for the past six months."Here’s what you need to find out. Of course, you probably won’t get too far down the list if you just roll out the interrogation.Start by sharing your own history, and see what you get back.
Have you ever tested for a sexually transmitted disease?
Many people will say yes to this question because they think that their doctor automatically tests them for diseases at their annual exam. They are, however, probably wrong. The vast majority of physicians do not screen their clients automatically for STDs.
Are you HIV positive?
If you have had any possible exposure to HIV through unprotected sex, sharing needles, or other exposure to bodily fluids, you should be tested. If you’re not sure if you could have been exposed, you should also be tested.If your partner says "I’ve never been tested," you might want to wait to sleep with him until his answer changes.
Are you have ready to do safer sex?
it is important to take responsibility for your own sexual health by having supplies on hand. Condoms, female condoms, back-up contraception, lube, saran wrap, gloves; whatever you need to make sex safer for you is what you should have on hand.
Are you currently involved with anyone else?
It’s all very well and good to ask for your future sexual partner’s STD status, but what they tell you may not mean anything if they’re continuing to have sex with other people. If you are involved, sexually, in a non-monogamous relationship, it is particularly important to make certain that you are not only having safer sex with your partner, but also that your partner is having safer sex with all of his or her partners.Remember, though, that long-term monogamous relationships represent the lowest risk to your sexual health.
Also these question too:
- How many sex partners have you had since your last STD and HIV tests?
- If you have been diagnosed with herpes or genital warts, are you having outbreaks? Are you being treated?
- Are you allergic to latex?
- Which sexual activities do you want to engage in?
