For Providers: Refer a Client. Patient Login. Get all her expert tips below. The best way to do this is to avoid exposure to bodily fluids that can be exchanged during a sexual encounter, such as ejaculate cum , pre-ejaculate pre-cum , vaginal fluids, and discharge from genital sores. The use of male condoms and female condoms are the best options for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, and the use of effective birth control methods is the best option for the prevention of unintended pregnancy.
The term safe sex encompasses more than just physical health. Although condoms are excellent protectors against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, there are still ways that infections can be passed from one partner to another if there is any skin-to-skin contact. Some people think it is okay to start to have sex without a condom, but then they put one on just before ejaculation.
This allows for skin-to-skin infections β HPV and herpes, most notably β to be transmitted, and there is also a measurable number of sperm that can be present in the pre-ejaculate, which can place someone at risk for pregnancy. If someone has had unprotected sex, they should immediately consult with their medical provider to determine how soon they can be tested for sexually transmitted infections. If someone is at risk for pregnancy, they can also ask their medical provider if emergency contraception is appropriate.
A couple may decide to have unprotected sex if they are monogamous only having sexual interactions with each other and if they have both been tested for sexually transmitted infections. Bear in mind that infections all have different window periods, so always ask your medical provider when it would be an appropriate time to test based on your last sexual encounter.
When appropriate, clients who are seen in the primary care realm of Thrive are screened for sexually transmitted disease risk and provided information on methods of protection.
