Considerations for Safe & Healthy Sex

Sex can be tricky depending on the mental and physical health of both partners. There are many ways to have safe sex, depending on what you would like to protect yourself from. Some risks to consider are as follows: hormonal imbalances, sexually transmitted infections STIs (i.e., formally known as sexually transmitted diseases STDs), pregnancy, and triggers from previous sexual traumas.

This article is going to start with the less commonly discussed topic of hormonal imbalances. Research shows that 80% of women experience hormonal imbalances, and 70% of women are unaware of when these imbalances occur (Northwell Health, 2018). Hormones are the chemical messengers that influence mood and bodily functions. Both women and men have hormones, some commonly known hormones are estrogen (higher levels in women), testosterone (higher levels in men), cortisol (stress hormone), serotonin (happy hormone), and adrenaline (anxiety hormone). Hormonal imbalances occur when these chemical messengers get all out of whack, there may be too little or too many of one or more hormones. Evidence of hormonal imbalance may be indicated by poor sleep-wake cycles, mood dysregulation, lower/ higher sex drive, lower/ higher metabolism rates, and rates of growth and development (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).

Safe sex also includes the consideration of protection from hormonal balances, which can cause later complications to mental and physical health. It is important to note that hormones can be influenced by stress levels, diet and nutrition, sex practices, medications, and other lifestyle factors. In regards to sex, hormonal imbalances can largely disrupt the vagina’s pH balance. Vaginal pH balance is practically a measurement scale; this scale measures whether vaginal substances are acidic, neutral or alkaline. Ideally, vaginal pH should be on the acidic side of the scale (Brennan, 2021). However, this balance is oftentimes thrown out of whack due to the lifestyle factors previously discussed. PH imbalances place women at greater risks for sexual health complications such as yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis (BV) as well as a sexually transmitted inflection (STI) known as trichomoniasis. Symptoms may include strong vaginal odors, abnormal discharge color and quantity, vulva swelling and irritation, pain during sex and burning during urination (Brennan, 2021).

Therefore, it is important for sexually active adults to discuss and implement the most appropriate forms of protection (i.e., healthy diet, emotional regulation, protective barriers such as condoms, proper hygienic practices before and after sex). Incorporating sexual protection is conducive to a healthy sex life. As you can imagine, experiencing sexual complications due to hormonal imbalances and the lack of protection can very well deter women and decrease their sexual interest. Oftentimes, it is recommended that women take probiotics daily (especially before and after sex) to help maintain healthy pH levels. There are a variety of probiotics, such as general supplements for general health, probiotics specified for yeast infection prevention, and Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotics specified for BV prevention. Some researchers has suggested that it may be helpful to wash up with medical anti-bacterial soaps (for external use only) to prevent the spread of naturally occurring microbiomes between partners; this is especially relevant for individuals who have multiple female sex partners (Chen, Bruning, Rubino & Eder, 2017; Sencer, 2017). It is important that all sexual partners visit their physical health provider prior to engaging in sex. The benefits of a trip to the doctor lays in their ability to detect unknown complications and confusing symptoms, as many men and some women oftentimes report being asymptomatic. Taking the initiative to get a check-up shows that you value your personal health, the health of your partner, that you’re willing to go the extra mile for a pleasurable sexual experience, and the sharing of your personal confidential health information may foster a sense of trust worthiness in the sexual relationship.

Next, it is evident that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are highly common in the American population. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 5 individuals (adults and minors) have had a STI at least once (CDC, 2021). That means, you are more likely to run into an individual who has contracted at least 1 STI in their lifetime than you are an individual who has owned a household pet (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2022). The discussion of these statistics is not to condemn any individual’s sexual health or sexual choices, but to emphasize the importance of evaluating your physical health with a licensed medical doctor and taking heed to the recommended lifestyle changes and medical treatments. The number one source of protection from STIs is for all sexual partners to get tested and know their status. In the event that you or a partner does not have medical insurance, other affordable resources are available. You can research non-profit health clinics that provide testing, treatment and consultations for free or at a largely reduced rate (due to grants, federal funding and private donations). It is also recommended to speak to your doctor, therapist of other health professional on how to communicate your status and/or concerns to your sexual partners. If your sexual status, or that of your partner(s) is unknown, it is greatly beneficial to use condoms for vaginal, anal and oral sex. Condom use, various forms of female and male birth control, and emergency contraception (i.e., Plan B) are typical methods of protection against unwanted pregnancies. It is also important to discuss the use of condoms with your partner prior to sexual involvement. Topics such as sexual health status, the need for condoms, and the type of condoms are great to discuss so that partners may be prepared, on the same page, and less anxious before any sexual activity begins (CDC, 2022).

Lastly, it is important to consider your partner’s boundaries when it comes to sex. Sex is a very intimate act in which both parties are in extremely vulnerable positions. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), 1 in 5 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced completed or attempted sexual abuse. In addition, 81% of women and 43% of reported experiencing some form of sexual assault or harassment (National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 2018). Therefore, it is equally important to communicate sexual boundaries, such as “we must use a condom,” “I will not do the ____ position,” “my safe word is ____, and that means to stop sexual acts immediately,” “let’s go/ start slow.” Even if you do not know the reason why, always respect your partner’s sexual boundaries and obtain sexual consent. Please keep in mind, that sexual traumas often leave people with triggers, which mentally and emotionally places them back into the event of the trauma. Please read my article: What is Trauma for more information on this. If needed, mental health professionals are available to help you process past or current sexual traumas, and to help you navigate re-gaining an interest in sex or re-developing a healthy perspective towards sex and sexual partners. You can use PsychologyToday to help find a therapist who matches your criteria (i.e., location, costs, in-person therapy, Zoom therapy, race, age, religion, speciality, area of practice, etc.).

References

American Veterinary Medical Association. (2022). U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics. American Veterinary Medical Association. Retrieved February 3, 2022, from https://ebusiness.avma.org/files/ProductDownloads/eco-pet-demographic-report-22-low-res.pdf

Brennan, MD, D. (2021, April 25). What determines vaginal ph balance? WebMD. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.webmd.com/women/what-is-vaginal-ph-balance

CDC. (2021, February 18). STI prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/prevalence-incidence-cost-2020.htm

CDC. (2022, March 23). Prevention - STD information from CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/default.htm

Chen, Y., Bruning, E., Rubino, J., & Eder, S. E. (2017). Role of female intimate hygiene in Vulvovaginal Health: Global Hygiene Practices and product usage. Women's Health, 13(3), 58–67. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745505717731011

Cleveland Clinic. (2022, April 4). Hormonal imbalance: Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22673-hormonal-imbalance

National Sexual Violence Resource Center. (2018). Statistics. National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics

Northwell Health. (2018, November 27). Expert insights. 11 unexpected signs of hormonal imbalance | Northwell Health. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.northwell.edu/obstetrics-and-gynecology/fertility/expert-insights/11-unexpected-signs-of-hormonal-imbalance

PsychologyToday https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

Sencer, C. (2017, January 27). BV bacterial vaginosis: diagnosis and treatment. Woman Care. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.womancareva.com/bv-bacterial-vaginosis/