The festive season is just around the corner, and this is when people are more likely to engage in dangerous situations – all in the name of fun. One such situation is where people engage in reckless one-night stands. There are lots of risks associated with one-night stands such as unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/Aids.
Dr Elmari Mulder Craig, a Pretoria-based sexologist, gives tips on how to practise safe sex this holiday season.
1 Always have safe sex. Use the male or female condom even if you think you know your partner.? Remember, you can also contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) with unprotected oral sex. Use a condom when giving a man oral sex and a dental dam when giving a woman oral sex.
2 Make sure you’re physically safe. Never take a stranger to your home and always let a friend know exactly where you are.
3 Women need to remember their bodies release higher volumes of oxytocin with an orgasm than a man's does. Oxytocin is the bonding hormone which can give you the impression you’re in love. It’s also harder for women to have causal hook-ups just for fun.
4 Be careful not to drink too much. Your inhibitions will be lower and you might engage in high-risk behaviour you might regret the next day.
5 If you do decide to hook up with someone, be yourself, respect your partner and discuss boundaries, expectations and rules. Then enjoy!
Visit www.elmaricraig.co.za for more tips on practising safe sex and information that is sexually related.
