What’s the difference between “safe sex” and “safer sex”?
By Amy @ Planned Parenthood | Oct. 14, 2010, 11:40 a.m.
Category: Ask the Experts
what is the difference between safe sex and safer sex??
“Safer sex” refers to anything we do to lower our risk — and our partners’ risk — of sexually transmitted infections. Some people call it “safe sex,” but this isn’t accurate — no type of sex with a partner can be guaranteed to be 100 percent safe. Many people with sexually transmitted infections experience no symptoms, so people are not always aware that they have them. And unintended pregnancy can happen — although rarely — with the best use of birth control.
The most important way to reduce the risk of infection is for partners to avoid exchanging body fluids. The fluids to be most careful about are blood, ejaculate, pre-ejaculate, vaginal fluids, and the discharge from sores caused by sexually transmitted infections. It’s also important to avoid touching sores or growths that are caused by sexually transmitted infections.
Here are a few examples of safer sex practices:
- using latex or internal condoms for vaginal or anal intercourse
- having oral sex instead of unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse
- using a latex condom to cover the penis for oral sex
- using a Sheer Glyde dam, cut-open condom, or plastic wrap to cover the vulva or anus for oral sex
- practicing forms of outercourse such as kissing, mutual masturbation, or body rubbing with clothes on