Sex is a natural part of life, but it also comes with some risks — especially, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. A responsible sexuality involves following certain steps to make sure that you and your partner are physically and emotionally safe during sex, which makes intimacy much more enjoyable.

Keep reading to discover 5 tips on how to have sex safely.

5 tips on how to have sex safely

Tip #1. Communicate before, during, and after sex

Communication is one of the most important aspects of any close relationship, and it should start long before you and your partner even touch. Open and honest communication will allow you to establish your desires, likes and dislikes, and boundaries. Miscommunication can lead to uncomfortable moments and unmet expectations, which can turn sex into a bad experience.

It’s important to feel comfortable before, during, and after sex, and to make sure that you and your partner communicate constantly throughout each encounter. As Concordia University reminds us, we need to talk to our partner about using barrier contraception, whether or not our relationship is monogamous, our sex partner history, and the type of sexual activities that we want to try.

Tip #2. Get tested for STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect a lot more people than you may imagine. There are more than 30 pathogens that can be transmitted during sex, but the most common STDs include:

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis
Herpes
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Hepatitis B
HIV

The exact number of people living with STDs around the world is unknown, since many people don’t receive a diagnosis. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 1 million new cases of STDs occur everyday, and that there were approximately 374 million new cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis around the world in 2020. That means that anyone who is sexually active has a risk of catching an STD.

Getting tested for STDs allows you to monitor your sexual health. Your partner(s) should also get tested for STDs regularly, even if you’re planning on using condoms. Thanks to at-home STD tests, you can order your test online, collect your samples from the privacy of your own home, and receive your results privately.

Tip #3. Look for warning signs

When you’re going to get intimate, you should look for any warning signs of STDs on your body and your partner’s body. According to the Mayo Clinic, common external symptoms of STDs include:

Abnormal vaginal or penile discharge
Strong vaginal odor
Skin rash
Blisters or bumps on or around the genitals
Genital ulcers

Remember that just because someone doesn’t show any symptoms, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have an STD. Many STDs are completely asymptomatic; conversely, someone could still be in the incubation period of an STD and not show any symptoms. That’s why it’s always so important to get tested and use condoms, even if there are no noticeable signs of an STD.

Tip #4. Use condoms properly

Male and female condoms are the only contraceptive method that can also protect you from STDs. You should use condoms during every sexual encounter, and remember certain tips that can help you increase their effectiveness. Male condoms are usually easier to find than female condoms, and more people are used to wearing them — however both types of condoms are very effective if used correctly.

According to the NHS, you should follow these tips for proper condom use:

Never wear two condoms at the same time, because the friction can cause them to break
Open the condom package carefully to avoid tearing and check the expiration date
Roll the condom down the penis making sure that it’s the right way around
Interrupt sexual activity if the condom slips off
Carefully remove the condom after you’re done and put it in the trash
Avoid using oil-based lubricants with latex condoms, since they can damage the latex
Cover your sex toys with a condom to make clean up easier and protect yourself from STDs, since they can also be transmitted after sharing contaminated sex toys

Tip #5. Learn about your options for contraception

In addition to protecting yourself from STDs, you can add another method to increase your protection against unplanned pregnancies. If you use condoms correctly every time you have sex, they’re approximately 98 percent effective against pregnancy. However, you can always improve your protection by adding another contraceptive method.

According to the CDC, some of the contraceptive methods that you can consider include:

Combined oral contraceptives
Progestin-only oral contraceptives
Copper intrauterine device (IUD)
Hormonal IUD
Contraceptive implant
Hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring
Contraceptive injections
Hormonal patch
Diaphragm or cervical cap
Spermicides
Fertility awareness-based methods
Emergency contraceptives
Male or female surgical sterilization

There are different factors that you need to consider before choosing a contraceptive, which is why it’s so important to discuss your options with a healthcare provider. The right contraception method will help you feel secure while having sex, which can lead to a better experience. You can learn more about STD testing and other sexual health topics at STDWatch.com.