**Content warning: This chapter contains discussion of sex, consent, STIs, STDs and contraception.
This chapter is about practising safe sex, which involves protection from STIs, preventing unwanted pregnancies and understanding consent.
To start with, let's quickly explain what STIs are. STI stands for sexually transmitted infection, and they can be contacted whenever two different people's bodily fluids mix with each other and the other person has an STI. An STD is a sexually transmitted disease, and an STI becomes an STD if it starts presenting symptoms, such as visible rashes or blisters in the affected area.
In terms of preventing pregnancy and STIs, condoms are usually considered to be the most useful form of contraception. That's because most other forms of birth control don't give protection from STIs. Usually, the word condom refers to a latex covering that is meant to be placed over the penis. However, condoms that are meant to be placed inside the vagina exist too.
Other forms of birth control exist, such as:
- Birth control pills, which contain hormones that either prevent ovulation or thicken the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus and causing a pregnancy. There are many different types of pills, but most of them have to be taken every day or on most days of the month, regardless of whether or not you are having sex.
- Diaphragms and cervical cups, which are inserted into the vagina, over the cervix. They work better if they're used with a spermicide, which is a product that slows down the sperm to prevent it from fertilising an egg and causing a pregnancy. Unlike many other birth control methods, spermicide doesn't contain hormones.
- Birth control implants are inserted into a person's arm by a doctor, and they work by releasing the progestin hormone to prevent pregnancy. After insertion, they can work for up to 5 years, although they can also be removed at any time in case the user wants to get pregnant.
- An IUD is a small device that is inserted through the cervix into the uterus, where, depending on the type, it either releases hormones or uses a copper wire that prevents sperm from entering the uterus. IUD's, once inserted, can work for several years, and can also be removed at any time.
- The morning after pill is a pill that's meant to be taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. It contains a larger dose of hormones than normal birth control pills, and is not meant to be used regularly or as a replacement for other forms of birth control. Morning after pills should be taken as soon as possible, but depending on the type they can work up to 72 or even 120 hours after unprotected sex. They can cause several side effects, such as nausea, headaches or cramps.
There are other birth control methods out there too, but these are the most common ones. Nearly all birth control methods, excluding condoms, have been created for AFAB people. That's because creating effective birth control methods for AMAB people is difficult. However, new forms of birth control are already being developed and may be usable in the future.
Another important part of safe sex is consent. Consent means that everyone participating in the sexual act is okay and comfortable with it. Consent should always be given explicitly, and pressuring a person into agreeing is not okay and does not count as consent. Consent can be revoked at any point during any sexual act, and if it is revoked, the act must be stopped immediately.
Consent can not be given by minors or by people who are drunk or under the effect of drugs. Alcohol and drugs can also affect memory, among many other things, so having sex after using drugs or drinking can be very unsafe and is not recommended.
Sources:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/safe-sex
https://helloclue.com/articles/sex/why-isnt-there-a-hormonal-birth-control-for-men
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control
https://starkvilleurgentcareclinic.com/std-vs-sti-common-types-symptoms-and-treatment/
https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control-pills#how-they-work
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